The journey to New York was relatively quiet, the hum of the engine being my sole companion. Harper had GPS trackers in all her suitcases so she wouldn’t lose them, not that she even traveled that much. It was just a safety precaution, one that I was using to my advantage now.
The whole situation felt wrong, tracking Elle like she was some sort of prey. An Alpha’s order, however, was absolute. Lukas told me to protect Elle, and he wanted me to follow her to New York, so I had to.
New York City’s skyline came into view, its towers rising like sentinels against the night. As I drove closer to the heart of the city, I pulled out my phone. It beeped, showing a blinking dot, indicating the suitcase’s position. I navigated through the maze of the city streets until I found myself outside a lavish apartment building.
Taking a deep breath, I dialed Elle’s number. After a few heart-stopping moments, she picked up.
“Justin?”
“Elle,” I began, trying to sound calm, “I know this is unexpected, but I’m in New York. Lukas sent me. He’s worried about you.”
There was a pause, and for a moment, I thought she’d hung up. “Where are you?”
I hesitated. “Harper put a GPS tracker in the suitcase. I’m outside your apartment complex.”
She laughed instead, and I felt myself breathe a sigh of relief. “You made it. I’m in Apartment 1002. Get up here.”
I walked into the sleek, modern lobby and made my way to the elevator. The golden doors closed silently behind me, and as the elevator began its smooth ascent, I took a moment to collect myself.
The elevator dinged softly, and the doors slid open to reveal a hallway as luxuriously appointed as the lobby below. I found apartment 1002 and knocked.
The door swung open, and there she was. “Come in.”
I stepped into a living space that looked like it was right out of a magazine, taking in the modern furniture, intricate artwork, and sweeping views of the city through the large windows.
“Where’s your suitcase?” Elle asked, glancing at my empty hands.
I chuckled nervously. “Uh, I kind of jumped into the car and drove here. Didn’t think to bring anything.”
“Lucky for you, I was planning on going shopping anyway. You’re now officially my plus-one.”
I tilted my head, studying her. “Are you angry at me for following you?”
“No, I’m not mad. If Lukas gave you an order, I know you have to follow it.” She paused, her eyes twinkling with mischief. “Though I have to say, I’m a bit disappointed. It wouldn’t have hurt my feelings if you’d come here on your own, you know, because you wanted to be with me.”
She said it so casually, clearly teasing, but I felt a warm blush rise to my cheeks. The unspoken implication dangled in the air between us, full of potential, and for the first time since I’d sped down the highway to get here, I thought maybe, just maybe, this wasn’t such a crazy idea after all.
“Okay, so here’s the plan,” Elle began. “There’s an auction tomorrow night. A very private, very exclusive auction, and guess who’s got an invite?”
“You’re full of surprises,” I said.
“The auction is my best shot at getting the amulet. It’s a high-stakes event, and from what I’ve gathered, a lot of the big players in the magical underworld will be there.”
I frowned, already not liking where this was going. “Like who?”
“There’s this society called Crimson Key. They’re not just any group of mages. They’re a syndicate, organized crime ring. I don’t know much about them, but they have a lot of connections. I bet they’ll be at the auction too.”
My protective instincts kicked in. “Elle, this sounds incredibly dangerous.”
“It is. But I don’t have a choice. If I don’t get that amulet and hand it over to Carson, I’m dead.”
“But what does the amulet even do?” I asked, trying to piece everything together.
“That’s what freaks me out. I have no concrete idea, but whatever it is, it’s powerful enough to draw all these dangerous elements to one place.”
“Let me come with you,” I blurted out. “It’s clear you need backup.”
Her gaze locked onto mine, her eyebrows knitting together in consternation. She seemed ready to argue, but then she paused, looking me up and down as if evaluating my worth in a battle. “You’re a cop. You have a gun. Did you bring it?”
I hesitated for a split second, then admitted, “Yes, but it’s a service weapon, traceable. I can’t just go around shooting people. My priority would be to apprehend, not kill.”
She sighed heavily. “These people won’t hesitate to kill us—they aren’t civilians. They are mages and criminals wanted by SCIS and WSU. If it comes down to it, Justin, we might not do things the way you’re used to.”
“I get it,” I replied firmly. “We’ll find a way to handle this together. And we’ll do it the right way, or as close to it as we can manage.”
“Fine,” Elle sighed, though there was a hint of a smile playing at the corners of her lips. “But first thing’s first: we’re going shopping.”
I blinked, taken aback. “Shopping? Now?”
“Well, unless you plan to attend a high-profile, magical underworld auction in those jeans and that T-shirt. You need to look the part.”
I glanced down at my admittedly casual outfit. “I didn’t exactly dress for an underworld auction when I left.”
She laughed, a soft, genuine sound that I hadn’t heard much from her. It was refreshing. “Luckily for you, I have a knack for styling. We’ll have you looking dapper in no time.”
As she rummaged around for her purse, I took a moment to glance around the apartment. It didn’t look very lived-in, but it must have just been cleaned. I could still smell the lemony disinfectant in the air.
“You can stay in the guest bedroom,” she said, nodding toward the hallway off the living room. “I have extra toiletries and everything you might need.”
“I appreciate the hospitality,” I said. “I half expected you to kick me out.”
She walked over, her demeanor softening. “For what it’s worth, Justin, it’s good to have you here. Even if the circumstances aren’t the best.”
I noticed then that the constant radiant smile she usually put on was absent. Instead, there was a calm ease in her expression, a more natural side of her that I hadn’t often seen. It felt real, sincere. It made the moment between us feel more genuine, and for that, I was grateful.