Air of Seduction (Elemental Enforcers #3)

Chapter 22

Ronan

Noah is scowling at me. “My mate is going to be right here, but I’m not allowed to see her?”

I shrug like I don’t really care, when all I want is for the man in front of me to agree so I can have Payton in the house where I can keep an eye on her. “It’s either that or she won’t leave her apartment. It’s up to you.”

He throws his hands in the air. “This is fucking insane. I have just found my mate, my true mate, but I can’t even talk to her, because she’s fucking terrified.”

Crossing my arms, I glare at him. “That’s your own fucking fault. If you hadn’t—”

“No.” He points a finger in my face and shakes his head. “It’s that vampire’s fault. If he hadn’t taken her and…and…” He shudders and squeezes his eyes shut.

I reach out and put a hand on his shoulder. I dread to think what she’s been through, and I can’t even imagine how I would feel if the same thing happened to my mate. “It will get better.” It has to, for both Olivia and Noah’s sake. “But right now what she needs is for you to stay out of sight to allow her to heal.”

When his eyes open, they’re so full of pain they’re almost black. I’ve never seen him like this before, but then he’s never found his true mate before and had her push him away. “Please bring her here. I’ll stay away from her.”

I give a short nod. “Good. I’ll tell you when she’s on her way.”

“Please do.” His shoulders are rounded with defeat when he walks away.

My phone pings, and I pull it out of my pocket to see a text from Payton. Olivia said yes. We’re heading over to my apartment now, so I can take a shower and pack a few things. We’ll be ready to leave in an hour.

A huge grin spreads across my face. Yes! I’ll get to see Payton again in just over an hour.

Another ping and her address shows up on the screen. It’s somewhere in East Ham.

I spin on my heel and head toward Lucas and Erica’s suite. They’d probably prefer more time alone, but time isn’t something we have a lot of at the moment.

I have to knock twice before I get an answer.

“What?” There’s irritation in Lucas’s voice.

I chuckle. I would be irritated, too, if I was disturbed while spending quality time with my mate. An image of Payton pops into my mind, and my eyes widen. Is she …

“What?”

Lucas yanking open the door snaps me out of my thoughts, but I have to fill my lungs with more air before I can answer. “I… Can you pick up Payton and Olivia? Olivia has agreed to stay here. Two women have been found dead, drained of blood, just down the road from her apartment. They’ll be safer here.”

“Of course.” He nods, concern furrowing his brows. “When?”

“In an hour outside Payton’s apartment. I’ll send you the address.” I notice his hair is wet and dripping, and he’s only got a towel wrapped around his waist. The shower is still going.

“Are you coming back, or should I finish by myself?” There’s a teasing tone in Erica’s voice that makes me laugh.

“Don’t you dare. I’ll be right there.” Lucas scowls at me before slamming the door in my face.

I laugh harder, trying to ignore the small sting of envy in my chest.

∞∞∞

Payton

Olivia’s hand tightens around mine when we drive down into the large parking garage below Aidan’s house. She’s been silent since we left my apartment, and every attempt I’ve made at starting a conversation has been met by either silence or a one-syllable word.

“We’ll take the elevator up to your suite, so you won’t have to walk through the whole house.” Erica’s voice is soft and caring. “No one will approach you directly. If something comes up and we need to talk to you, we’ll tell Payton. You’ll get access to a communicator in your room, so you can order whatever you like to drink or eat from the kitchen. They can get anything, and I mean anything. Just pretend you’re in a luxury hotel, all expenses paid, and enjoy.”

A small smile steals across Olivia’s lips. “Thank you.”

There’s no one else in the garage when we exit the car and move over to the elevator, and the corridor is empty when we get out on the second floor.

It’s perfect for Olivia, but I can’t help the way my eyes scan every inch of the place for any sign of Ronan. I don’t know what’s wrong with me, but it’s like an itch in my very bones, urging me to find him.

“This is it,” Lucas says and stops in front of the door next to Ronan’s suite.

At least there’s that. Even if I can’t see him, I know he’s staying right next door. Except I’m not sure that’s a good thing. The temptation to go to him will only be worse knowing he’s so close.

The suite is beautiful and luxurious, but unlike Ronan’s rooms, these have a contemporary style consisting mostly of furniture and fabrics in light gray, charcoal gray, and white. There are two bedrooms, each with a huge bed, and the common room includes a living room area with couches and a TV, a small dining table with four chairs, and a kitchenette with a bar in one corner.

Olivia’s eyes are wide when they meet mine, and I think I know what she’s not saying. This spacious suite is bigger than our two apartments combined and vastly more luxurious than either of them.

“We’ll leave you to unpack and get comfortable.” Erica smiles. “Have you had breakfast yet?”

“No.” I shake my head.

“Then figure out what you would like and send a text to Ronan.” There’s a hint of amusement in Lucas’s eyes when he looks at me. “I’m sure he’ll be happy to deliver.”

“Sure. Thank you.” My voice is a little high-pitched, and I almost wince at the sound. Has Ronan said something about me?

As soon as the couple has closed the door behind them, Olivia rounds on me. “What’s happened between you and Ronan?”

“Um…” My lips twitch before they curl into a smile. “Not much. Just a couple of kisses.”

She lifts an eyebrow at me and crosses her arms. “That sounds like a little more than you just finding him attractive. He obviously likes you as well. Do I get to meet this guy?”

My eyes widen in surprise. “Do you want to? I thought maybe…”

She smiles. “I think I can handle that. You clearly like him, so he can’t be that bad.”

“He’s not bad at all. He helped me find you, and that alone is enough to give him a gold star in my book.” So did Noah, sort of, but it’s not the time to point that out to her. Or the fact that she met Ronan when we rescued her.