Page 17 of The Purrfect Rival (Enchanted Falls #1)

SEVENTEEN

I n his office felt like a cage. Rust paced from window to desk, golden flickers occasionally manifesting in his eyes when his control slipped. His lion prowled beneath his skin, bristling at the accusations, at Lysander’s warning, at the doubt he’d glimpsed in Kalyna’s expression.

The door banged open without a knock, admitting Hezron with his usual disregard for protocol. He surveyed Rust with a critical eye.

“Whew! You’re practically radiating ‘pissed-off lion’ pheromones.” Hezron fanned the air theatrically. “Should I open a window before we all choke on your testosterone?”

Rust glared. “Not. Now.”

“Actually, now is perfect.” Hezron plopped into a chair, propping his boots on the desk’s immaculate surface. “I’ve never seen the mighty Rust Leonid so rattled. What’s more entertaining than that?”

“Someone is framing me for theft, the council thinks I’m corrupt, and?—”

“And your fox girlfriend thinks you’re responsible for stealing her family treasure,” Hezron finished. “Yeah, that’s rough, buddy.”

“She’s not my girlfriend.”

“Keep telling yourself that.” Hezron leaned back, grinning. “Meanwhile, your lion is ready to tear through walls to get to her. I’ve never seen you this bad, and I was there for the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show debacle of 1997.”

Despite everything, Rust’s lips inched up. “We agreed never to speak of that.”

“I agreed to nothing. And those models didn’t have you sketching little foxes in your meeting notes. Oh yes, I noticed.” Hezron’s tone turned more serious. “Look, you’ve got it bad. Two centuries of perfect control, and suddenly you’re growling in council meetings over a fox shifter. It’s actually kind of adorable.”

“I’m glad my crisis amuses you,” Rust muttered.

“Love of kicking your ass is the highlight of my century,” Hezron confirmed cheerfully. “But since I’m also your head of security, I did some actual work this morning.”

He pulled out his phone. “Most Leonid family members were at the Thompson estate dinner last night. Security footage confirms. Boz sent regrets, claimed a business meeting in Highland Ridge.”

“That can be verified?”

“Working on it.” Hezron swiped through notes. “Here’s something interesting—that part-time fox library assistant, Mira something?—”

“Woshen.”

“Right. She’s been seen having coffee with Boz several times in the past weeks. The magpie lady?—”

“Agatha Plumthorn.”

“Yeah her—noticed because apparently foxes and lions sharing pastries qualifies as headline news.”

Rust paused mid-pace, mind racing. “Mira works in the library with direct access to all the rooms. Plus, with knowledge of the heirloom talisman...”

“And possibly the renovation account details,” Hezron finished. “Worth looking into.”

Rust stared out the window toward the library. His lion paced anxiously, wanting—needing—to see Kalyna, to clear his name, to claim what it increasingly recognized as theirs.

“I need to talk to Kalyna,” he said abruptly. “Away from town gossip. Somewhere we can speak freely.”

“The Moonlight Terrace,” Hezron suggested. “Just outside town limits. Neutral territory with private alcoves.” He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively. “Perfect for a strategy session that absolutely, positively isn’t a date.”

“She might not agree to meet me.”

Hezron snorted. “Based on how her eyes followed you at the council meeting, trust me, she’ll come.”

“You noticed that?” Rust couldn’t hide his grin.

“The whole council noticed! I’m surprised Lysander didn’t throw himself physically between you two.” Hezron shook his head in mock despair.

“I’m not?—”

“Save it for someone who can’t smell your pheromones spike whenever her name comes up.” Hezron pocketed his cell phone. “Moonlight Terrace. Ask for the cliff-view alcove. The floating lanterns respond to emotional energy—should be quite a light show with you two.”

“This is a business meeting,” Rust insisted.

“Sure, it is.” Hezron stood, heading for the door. “And I’m the Easter Bunny.”

After Hezron left, Rust composed and deleted three messages before settling on:

Kalyna, I’d like to discuss fundraising strategies to replace the missing library funds. Could we meet at Moonlight Terrace tonight at 7? The location offers privacy from town speculation. -Rust

Her reply came surprisingly fast:

I’ll be there. I have questions of my own. -K

His lion practically purred with satisfaction. Rust tried to focus on the investigation, on clearing his name—but images of Kalyna in moonlight kept intruding, her copper hair catching starlight, her eyes flashing crimson...

“Pull yourself together,” he muttered, straightening his tie. “Adult male and you’re acting like a cub.”

But his lion only stretched contentedly.