Azrael was thankful Garrin had given her the gate code, so she didn’t have to explain her “chauffeur.” Although she couldn’t imagine anyone looking less chauffer-ish than Lance. The outfit he’d rented was too tight and looked ready to burst at the seams over his biceps. Between that and the way he held himself—jaws clenched, muscles tight—he seemed more like a mix between a male stripper and a cop.
They pulled into the driveway.
“So, you ready to do this?” she asked, chewing on her bottom lip. Lance was not happy about waiting in the car, but it was the best plan they’d come up with. Azrael would go in, talk a bit, try to get a tour, and find out where the stone was. When she found it, she’d text Lance, who would sneak in and steal it. Easy as that—she hoped.
“I don’t like this, Azrael. Something feels wrong,” he said, hands tight on the steering wheel.
“You’re just being overprotective. It’s going to go fine. I know Garrin. He’s an egotistical jerk, but he’s not a bad guy.”
“You have the pepper spray I gave you?”
“Yes. In my purse.” Azrael sighed. It was cute how jealous he was, but also unnecessary.
“If he lays one finger on you—”
“I know, I know. Spray him. Now, can I please go in? It looks weird me sitting out here arguing with my chauffeur.”
“Fine. But I’ll be watching.”
“I don’t doubt that,” Azrael mumbled, opening the door. Before she slipped out, Lance grabbed her arm.
“Hey…,” he said, his eyes full of concern. “Please be careful. I don’t want anything to happen to you.”
“I promise.”
Azrael shut the door and made her way up the stone steps.
~*~
Garrin opened the door, grinning at her with his perfect white teeth, sun-bleached hair pulled back in a low ponytail.
“Azrael,” he said, gathering her in his arms. “How I’ve missed you.”
“I’ve—uh, I’ve missed you too,” she replied, giving him a loose hug, groaning when she heard the car door slam behind her.
“Who’s that?” Garrin asked.
Azrael turned around. Lance was standing outside of the car, leaning against the passenger side, arms crossed over his chest, eyes hidden beneath dark glasses.
“That’s just my chauffeur. You know, from the trip I won.” Azrael gave Lance a dark look.
“Huh. Looks more like a bodyguard to me.” Garrin put his hand on the small of her back, steering her toward the house. “Guess they thought of everything. How did you win the trip to Demonium?”
“I, um…an online thing.”
“Well, regardless, I’ll consider it a lucky break for me. I thought I might never see you again.” Garrin pushed the door shut and turned, gave her one of his one-hundred-watt smiles, and placed a hand on her shoulder. “I wanted to apologize for what I did. I never thought that photo would upset you. You’re such a beautiful woman, Azrael. It seemed unfair to not share it with the world.”
Yeah, unfair to the world, not me. What a pompous asshole.
“Why don’t we just move past that?” she asked through gritted teeth. “We can’t change the past.”
“Exactly.” He said, giving her shoulder a light squeeze. “And I promise it won’t happen again.”
That’s because you won’t ever get the chance to see me naked again.
“Thanks.”
“Now, how about I give you a grand tour of my home?”
“That sounds great.”
While Garrin showed her around, babbling on about his historic item collection, Azrael tried to figure out what had drawn her to him in the first place. Sure, he was sexy. Who wouldn’t desire those lean muscles or that confident physique? Not to mention the charming smile and perfect ass. Azrael gazed at the back of his tailored jeans with a surge of guilt.
Okay, so what, he’s hot, and I looked. He’s not half the man Lance is, though.
She nodded her head, feigning interest. It wasn’t until they got to the sitting room on the first floor that she no longer had to pretend.
“And I think you’ll recognize this piece,” he said, waving his hand toward the coffee table. On it sat a large purple stone with pearlescent facets on the side.
That stupid bastard. He’s left the clarity stone sitting on his living room table, balcony door wide open. Azrael had to choke back a laugh. You’ve got to be kidding me.
“The clarity stone,” she said, trying to sound nonchalant.
Garrin gave her a crooked grin. “Of course. I don’t imagine this piece would be of much interest to you now, considering you see it so often.”
“Well, it’s still a nice piece.”
“Aren’t you a little curious why I have it, though?” he asked, angling his head to the side.
Crap! I’m horrible at this undercover thing. Should have acted surprised.
“Yes, I am very curious, but I’m a little tired and thirsty from the trip. Do you have anything to drink?”
“I’m sorry. I should have offered you one first. Why don’t we go sit in the kitchen and enjoy a couple of glasses of wine?” He walked off without letting her answer, obviously expecting her to follow.
Don’t look at his ass, don’t look at his ass.
Azrael followed him. When they reached the kitchen, she set her purse down. “Do you have a restroom I can use?”
“Sure. It’s down that hall. Last door on the left,” he answered, pointing to the hallway across from them. “I’ll pour us some drinks while waiting.”
She nodded and stepped to the bathroom, closing and locking the door behind her. Azrael pulled out her phone and typed a text to Lance.
It’s in the sitting room on the table. Balcony door is open. We will be in the kitchen. Text me when you have it.
Lance’s response was swift. That sounds easy, too easy. Something about this feels wrong. Please be careful.
She stared at the phone, not understanding Lance’s apprehension. In all honesty, this was working out a lot better than planned. Maybe he was paranoid because he was so used to things being hard. Azrael tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear and went to meet Garrin in the kitchen.
Garrin was sitting in a chair, leaned back, a glass of chardonnay in his hand. He was staring out the large window leading to the veranda, eyes glazed. She didn’t think he even noticed her presence until she pulled out the chair beside him.
“Hey there,” he said, handing her a glass. “Sorry, I was daydreaming.”
“I’m no stranger to you zoning out.” She immediately regretted bringing up something she remembered from when they dated.
“I’m surprised you haven’t blocked those memories out completely.”
Azrael swallowed. She’d tried to do just that but was apparently less successful than she thought. “No, not completely.”
Garrin gave her a soft smile, his gaze drawn to the window again. She studied his profile, noting the crinkles around his eyes. Somehow, he appeared older than his thirty-two years. The silence grew, making her nervous. It was unusual for Garrin to not start a conversation, to act so serious.
Lance has made me paranoid.
“So, last I heard, you were dating Lindsey Barrett,” she said, trying to start a conversation.
“I don’t really date anyone, Azrael. Or at least there’s no one I’ve wanted to date. You being the exception, of course, but that wouldn’t have worked out.” He took another swig out of his glass, eyes still glued to the window.
“What? Why would you think that?” Azrael set her drink down. The ice clinked against the glass, setting her nerves on edge. Maybe she shouldn’t have been so quick to brush off Lance’s concerns. Something seemed off.
But Garrin is as harmless as a bug.
They’d dated, slept together. He wasn’t a stranger, wasn’t a bad guy.
Then why does this feel wrong?
“Has anyone ever told you that you are a bad judge of character?”
Azrael froze, her heart skidding to an abrupt stop. He turned to look at her, his eyes cold and uncaring. Her heart rate picked up, beating double time. This wasn’t the Garrin she knew. She edged closer to her purse and reached down. His eyes slid from her face to the hand dangling above the open handbag.
“Looking for something?” he asked, pulling the bottle of pepper spray out of his pocket. “This stuff can be painful, Azrael. It’s best if I keep it safe.”
Staring at the can, she swallowed. In a few minutes, Lance would have the stone and would worry when she didn’t respond to his text. She just needed to stall until then. “Are you trying to tell me I’ve judged you wrong?”
“Oh, most definitely.”
“I think I should go,” she said, standing.
“I’m afraid that’s not going to be an option.” Garrin set his glass down. As he did, a shrill alarm started blaring. “Ah, our guest has arrived.”
Lance, she thought, turning and running toward the sitting room. She heard Garrin’s footsteps following her.