Savage Shifters Box Set, page 31
“Is there anywhere isolated we can plan?” he asked.
“My apartment. I need to go there and tell Kasper and Yeri I’m safe, too.”
“I don’t want anyone else involved in this.”
“They won’t be.”
“And you’re going to assist me in getting my hide from those hunters.”
Her arm glowed orange again, a tingling, kind of prickly sensation that shocked her. She supposed a refusal on her end would make it hurt like he said it would, and honestly, she didn’t want to test that out now. As far as she knew, Xian hadn’t lied to her yet, and she was better off not testing his limits and ending up in more trouble than she was already in.
But hey, at least she delivered the package successfully.
She shot him a level look. “Yes, I’m going to assist you. But we need to rest first. And I need to research that address we got imprisoned in earlier, so we can find a better game plan. Kasper probably has all the information already, considering they’re scouting the place, but we’re not involving them like you said.”
“But—”
“I need sleep,” she said, keeping her voice light. “I’m tired, and you didn’t exactly let me sleep when you woke me up to make your escape to your world. Can I catch at least a little bit of a break? Just a little bit?”
There was silence after that, and she expected him to refuse. But he surprised her again when he sighed and nodded, quietly telling her to lead the way.
They walked because she didn’t have any money with her and she lost her phone somewhere along the way. He remained quiet, but questions were already popping up in her head, some of which couldn’t wait any longer.
“So by estimate, is there an expiry date to this favor-slash-promise thing?”
“No.”
Great. So she was stuck even if she was old, if he ever thought to dangle it over her nose.
“Have hunters always come for your hides?”
“Always.”
“Are you a chief or something in your tribe? A higher official or something like that?”
“Something like that.”
She kept asking random things, and he kept answering them all bluntly. Frustrated, Cassidy shot him a look and shut her mouth, realizing she was getting nowhere. She decided to just enjoy the walk and the breeze, loving the cool lights from the distance and the little café shops with tables outside that were still open.
They got to her apartment building and got to her unit in no time—a loft-style place that was as cluttered as could be, filled to the brim with furniture, art pieces she collected through the years and some of her favorite vases. She loved hoarding stuff she bought at art auctions, and she could see Xian looking at them curiously, but with no particular interest. She supposed that was how it was for people who lived and were attuned to nature—material things didn’t really touch them anymore.
What could she say? She was shallow, and her sideline as an art marketing specialist allowed her to be. It helped that she was an only child and that her filthy rich parents weren’t home much and let her spend on anything she wanted, though she refused to take their money now that she was an adult.
“You live here?” he asked.
She nodded. “Yes. About a year now.”
That was the truth, anyway—that she graduated from college early and had moved here since then. He didn’t need to know the details.
It could get pretty lonely, but she didn’t dwell on that now as she pointed to the couch and told Xian he could sleep there. She rattled off the other areas, told him he was free to use them. When he nodded, she said her goodnight and slipped inside her room, finding her extra phone and texting Kasper and Yeri to assure them she was alright, and they shouldn’t look for her because she was off to meet up with friends—a white lie, mostly to keep them away. Cassidy glanced at the bed she invested in months ago, which was as soft and fluffy as they came. She sank into those sheets now, not bothering to shower or get changed.
Five minutes later, she was out like a light.
*****
Waking up refreshed gave her the energy to get started on researching, something she was used to as it was mostly needed for her marketing work. In no time, she already had the estate owner’s name, addresses of the other estates the man owned, and the address of the man’s high-end club that had more space than it looked to have in the pictures.
Which meant the extra space was probably hidden and contained things that were out of the public eye—like, say, a collection of crocodile hides.
Her phone rang in the middle of her research, and she answered it absentmindedly.
“Hello?”
“Cass! Where are you?”
Yeri’s voice sounded worried, and Cassidy realized she forgot to give a follow-up after last night’s text. She checked the time and saw it was still six in the morning, and Yeri was often a late sleeper.
“I’m okay,” she said, keeping her voice as calm and light as possible. “Xian woke up and left, and I went after him to finish something up. We’re clear. I’m sorry I didn’t go back to your place. I wanted to text you earlier, but I was so tired that I crashed into bed right away and woke up hours later.”
The lie slipped smoothly out of her mouth, even while guilt spread all over her. Yeri was a good friend, but that was the point—she was such a good a friend that she wouldn’t have let it go if she knew the truth and would probably even insist on helping. Cassidy wasn’t sure how dangerous this hide-retrieval thing was going to be, but her fairy friend had already been in enough trouble in the past and was just starting to enjoy her life here.
They were better off in the dark.
“Are you sure you’re okay, Cass?”
“Yes! I’m actually going out with a friend tonight to loosen up. Let’s have dinner on the weekend? Or after?”
“Sure. Just let us know when you’re free.”
They hung up on a positive note, and Cassidy went back to researching and tried to forget about her guilt. She was alone in her apartment, as Xian disappeared around dawn and hadn’t come back yet. She was pretty sure he would come back because he still needed her help.
“Let’s go.”
The sudden voice had her jumping on her seat, and she stared as Xian wandered in the living room and in her direction. Then she glared at him.
“Can you not sneak up on me like that? You need to know how to blend in and actually create some noise.”
Belatedly, she realized he was still wearing the trousers from last night and still had his upper body uncovered. Heat filled her cheeks, and she tried to study him as clinically as she could, noting the scars from his wounds that had already healed last night. Other than the ridges of muscles on his stomach, he also had tiny ridges on his chest, reminiscent of scales but not really scales. Had he been anyone else, she’d have already been fussing over him and trying to touch it out of curiosity.
But because it was him, she let it go and met his gaze.
“There’s a club event happening tonight—the club owned by the estate owner, and I think that might be where he’s hiding your hide, and we need to blend in.”
“We can go now.”
She shook her head. “There will be more crowds at night, which will distract the guards. I’m going to help you, Xian, but we need to do it right. I’m not ready to die.”
That seemed to get to him, and he reluctantly nodded his head. “Then what are we to do now?”
She eyed him again, an idea forming in mind. Since she was stuck here with him because of their bond—the one he put on her—she might as well do something about it.
Something fun.
A smile played on her lips, one he eyed warily.
“Get showered. I have some extra clothes from past dates—don’t ask. Anyway, we’re going out.”
“Don’t ask what?”
She smirked.
“You’ll see.”
*****
“Do you think this is some kind of game?”
The words were said in a grouchy tone, and she had to stifle a laugh as she looked away and pretended to browse something. It had been a couple of hours since she brought him to the mall—to the salon, specifically, to get his hair fixed. After they were done, his hair gleamed silver-gray and looked stylish enough for any event, though she was pretty sure he was going to mess it up after a while.
They then headed to men’s shops, choosing those that didn’t have too many clingy salesladies so they could be left alone. She picked some trousers and dress shirts, along with leather shoes, and ordered him to get in the dressing room and try them. She waited in the waiting lounge, remembering his comment about how he didn’t need to dress up when he went on short trips in SoHo and her own argument that this wasn’t a short trip, but a mission.
And yes…it was fun.
She needed the fun and wanted to rile him up, even for just a short bit—mostly to let him know that she wasn’t going to submit to his wishes that easily.
She rifled through a magazine while waiting, already running a plan in her head: get to the club, blend in for a bit, scout the area and find out where the secret locations were. It was a quick in and out, one where Xian could slip in while she kept watch. Then she was two deals left, and she could finally say goodbye to this mess she’d gotten herself into.
The idea cheered her up and actually got her excited for tonight. She heard the door to the dressing room creak and stifled a grin at the way Xian was finally taking her advice to make noise when necessary and vice versa. She turned to congratulate him, and maybe crow a little bit.
The words died in her throat.
“I’m done with this. If you take me to another shop again…”
She heard the words, but she was too distracted to answer. Instead, her eyes devoured the sight of Xian in black trousers that fit him perfectly, showcasing thick, muscled thighs and long legs, accentuating his tallness—then, the dark gray dress shirt that was almost black and didn’t quite hide those broad shoulders. His jaw was clenched, his mouth was frowning down almost sensually, and his eyes were brimming with impatience.
Cassidy gulped, her tongue suddenly dry.
“Cass…” he said warningly when almost a minute passed and she still didn’t respond. “I swear if some idea is in that head again…”
The bottom of his dress shirt was crinkled, and she broke out of her reverie and stepped forward instantly, smoothing it down.
“Don’t crease it. You’re supposed to be a rich-ass man who’s flawless everywhere, and you want to maintain that image. They’d notice right away if you only looked like you’re trying to blend in.”
“So you’re a rich ass?”
The question had her blinking—then, throwing her head back in laughter before she could stop herself. He frowned, and she smirked until he finally tilted his head.
“You’re funny.”
“I wasn’t being funny.”
“I know,” she shot back. Realizing her hand was still on his dress shirt and the laughter was dying out, she removed it and stepped back, not wanting to be caught in yet another tense moment between them.
His eyes stayed on her, steady and probing. Tingles shot up her spine, but she masked it with a smile.
“So this will do?”
“Yes, it’s perfect,” she murmured. “Now come on.”
“Where?”
Cassidy smirked. “I’m off to get you food that will blow your mind.”
Chapter 48
The pizza Cassidy goaded him to eat until he gave in settled quite satisfyingly in his belly, something that surprised Xian because there wasn’t even any meat on it. He often went for steaks in the restaurants that sold them as takeout when he was here—medium rare, cooked very nicely, with that pleasant steak sauce humans perfected.
But now, the tenseness was back as they entered the dim club, with Cassidy using her charms and some money to bypass the line and get them in right away. He was starting to realize that money had a lot to do with getting you places around here, along with power that was more prominent in their jungle.
The event going on had something to do with an art show, one that was perfectly in line with Cassidy’s occupation and expertise. She looked for the manager and separated from him to converse privately, and Xian watched as an animated expression took over her face and lit it up in a way he hadn’t seen before.
Unless he counted the time she watched the waterfall in his hut, or the time she went home and took a look at her art collection.
Maybe it was beauty itself she loved, and maybe she found it in specific things. There were lots of things about her he was yet to figure out, and restlessness simmered in him even while he knew that their acquaintance wouldn’t last long.
Twenty minutes later, she was back at his side and muttering near his ear, all while keeping a smile on her face.
“The office is on the second floor, but there are doors all over the hallways that don’t have specific public purposes.”
“How did you know?”
Cassidy shrugged. “I asked about the restroom and was told there are two female ones—one here and one up. I spotted some other doors, and I don’t think all of them are janitor closets.”
That made sense. He nodded and made a move to walk into the first hallway he saw. But her hand clamped on his wrist, her grip surprisingly strong enough to make him pause.
“Not now,” she whispered. “The lights are still up, and it’s not late enough.”
“And why does that matter?”
“Because we need the lights dim and the crowd revved up before we can slip out.”
The need to argue was intense as impatience slammed in him. The hours were running off, and they were wasting time—had been wasting time since they delayed the task this morning and delayed it again now. Trying to find some leeway to counter her point and make her understand that everyone was distracted, he glanced around, observing the platform in the middle of the club where the art show was being held and the crowd gathered around. Then his glance strayed to the edges, where he found that not everyone’s eyes were on the platform.
There were guards everywhere—not blatant guards because they all wore different outfits, but you could tell by the way they held themselves straight and the way their eyes casually roamed everywhere. They weren’t mingling, merely standing around and occasionally walking about.
It had Xian realizing she was right. Any untoward move, no matter how casual they made it, would be tracked now, and they would eventually be followed and suspected before they could make any headway.
The knowledge stung in his chest, and his body vibrated with the need to reunite with his hide now. But he also needed to be smart about this, and he knew there were processes in this world—in this club—that he didn’t know as well as he would have liked.
And he needed to give her the wheel.
Xian swallowed his pride. Then he nodded reluctantly and met Cassidy’s gaze, already expecting some gloating there. To his surprise, there was only steady patience, and after a while, he found himself looking at her thoroughly—something he hadn’t been able to do earlier due to his preoccupation.
The dress she was wearing was one he’d seen plenty of humans wear when he was here—black, basic, and tastefully designed to attract just the right amount of attention. But the confidence with which she wore it, plus the way it made her blond hair lighter and blue eyes bluer, guaranteed that spotlight on her, anyway, without even trying. She had some light makeup on, making those eyes look bigger and him hyperaware that he shouldn’t look too long, else he’d be distracted all over again.
He looked away. “Alright. What do we do in the meantime?”
Her eyes widened at his implication, but she schooled it quickly until it became a gleam. “We mingle.”
“Mingle?”
“Yes. Mingle.”
And mingle they did.
She led the way, joining the crowd to watch the art show as the speaker announced each piece and price. He watched her in turn, observing how her expression got excited at certain pieces and deducing that she preferred the brightly colored abstract pieces—a reflection of her bold personality, really. Half an hour passed and the crowd increased, and pretty soon the music was turned up and the club was full.
Xian’s impatience began to rise up again, coupled with an uncomfortable feeling. He’d always avoided crowds as much as he could, and now, he realized the reason for that: because the smell of their scents together didn’t sit well with his senses, and that in turn agitated him. He tried to stand still and tamp it down, but before he could, the lights were dimming and the music was getting louder.
And Cassidy was pulling him and leading him to the dance floor.
She guided their movements, sliding his hands around her waist and putting her own around his neck. She navigated them in the center, pushing herself closer to him and standing on tiptoe. “Relax. I won’t let those bodies touch us. Trust me.”
Her uncanny reading of his exact feeling disturbed and comforted him at the same time, and again, he let her take the reins. Tribal dances were common in their jungle to celebrate certain events, but this deep bass beat was something new, and he watched the sway of her hips to help him adapt.
Instead, he found himself immersed in her movements, unable to take his gaze off. He became aware of her body, too—or better yet, of the warmth of it against his, and the silk of her dress as it brushed against him from time to time.
Heat shot through his belly, an inappropriate reaction at an inappropriate time. In response to it, he tried pulling away, but she stubbornly pulled him back in and shot him a look that warned him not to argue.
About two minutes later, he realized she was dancing away from the center and to the edge, where one of the hallways was. Then they were slipping out of the crowd and into the first door, which turned out to be the janitor’s closet.
They didn’t leave quickly, instead taking the time to regroup. They didn’t turn on the lights, but he could see her outline very well in the darkness, could hear her trying to regulate her breathing from all that dancing.
