Page 81 of Third Offense

Because his fight with Auric had been about Ketos, I realized.And Auric allowing Ketos to escort me to see my mom.

Did that mean Auric was warming up to the idea of my compatibility with Ketos? Or was it something else?

Auric was always honorable.

And he didn’t fit in here.

Something that had been abundantly clear from the beginning.

Is he thinking of leaving?I wondered, my heart skipping a beat.Is he… is thinking of having Ketos… replace him?

No.

No!

I would not let that happen.

“Layla?” Novak said, a note of concern in his voice.

“Does Auric think I want to replace him with Ketos? Because I will fucking kill him if that’s the case.”

Novak’s eyes widened. “What?”

“Is that why he’s being so weird? He’s not even willing to try for a week to fit in here, and he’s already coming up with alternatives? Thinking I’ll just accept Ketos, as what,a replacement?” My ire grew with each word. “Because that isnothappening. Auric ismine. And so are you.”

Novak’s grip on my wrist tightened. “Layla.”

“What?” I snarled, furious now.

“Take a shower with me.”

My eyebrows sprang upward. “Are you fucking kidding me?”

“I don’t kid,” he replied, standing and towering over me. “Now take off your clothes.”

I growled at him.

And he growled back.

“Auric is out there thinking I can replace him,” I snapped. “And you want to take a shower?”

“He doesn’t think you’re going to replace him,” Novak replied. “And if he does, I’ll beat sense into him.”

My gaze narrowed. “Not if I beat him up first.”

His lips twitched. “I’ll enjoy watching that.Afterour shower.”

“I don’t want a fucking shower.”

“Well, too damn bad. Because I’m tired of smelling Ketos on you. So either you take a shower with me, or I go find the prince and kill him. Your choice.”

I gaped at him. “What kind of choice is that?”

“A very easy one for you to make, I think, considering your conflicted feelings. But I’m not like you. I will happily kill him if it means removing this complication.” Another speech from Novak, something he only seemed to do when we were alone.

I considered him for a long moment. “I don’t want you to kill him.”

“I know.”