Page 91 of Third Offense

Returning to Layla and Novak.

Making love to them.

I swallowed, very much wanting to live within that last memory forever. But I had to figure this out.

I stared down at Novak, willing him to wake up.

However, he didn’t move, his lips parted in deep sleep that only intensified as Layla rolled into him. His arms automatically closed around her, his body telling me she would be protected even in his dreams.

Rather than disturb him and risk waking Layla, I found a piece of paper and wrote a note.

Going to the kitchen for a midnight snack. The sun is down. We’ll see how long it stays down.-A

I left it on the nightstand beside him.

Then I found some pants and a shirt, and headed out of the rooms.

The moon glimmered overhead, the bright orb making me scowl.

I’d spent hours last night wandering, making it very clear to everyone around me that I was snooping. None of the guards stopped me. Just Iston and Netiri showing up at every fucking turn.

“Are you looking for food?” Netiri had purred.

No.

“Do you need me to escort you to dinner, Sir?” Iston had asked.

No.

“Do you want a snack?” Netiri again.

Fuck. Off.

There was something not right about them or this place. And I was going to fucking prove it.

I turned the corner, heading straight for the kitchen.

And sure as shit, the clock displayed nine the moment I entered.

Un-fucking-believable.

Frowning, I stepped inside and placed both hands on the countertop, trying to make fucking sense of it.

Then the door sounded behind me and I didn’t want to turn around, but I did.

Netiri had appeared right on cue, but this time she wasn’t wearing her typical tight-fitting skirt and low-cut blouse.

No.

She was in a damn robe.

And nothing underneath—something I knew because of the sheer fabric.

Her foul scent made my stomach twist as a growl escaped my throat.

“What the fuck are you doing?” I demanded, giving up on formalities and social pleasantries. I was done with whatever the fuck this was.

She batted her eyes demurely at me. “Continuing where we left off last night.”