Total pages in book: 117
Estimated words: 110802 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 554(@200wpm)___ 443(@250wpm)___ 369(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 110802 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 554(@200wpm)___ 443(@250wpm)___ 369(@300wpm)
Knox stroked a hand down her hair. Want me to deal with this?
Nope. Harper smiled at the male fast approaching. “Jonas, I don’t suppose you know why your sister’s trying to push me into making a scene, do you?”
His face reddened. “Please give me a moment,” he said to Harper before dragging Alethea aside. Twin spots of color on her cheeks, she hissed something at her brother. Whatever Jonas whispered made Alethea blanch. Chin up, she spun on her heel and stalked away.
Jonas then returned to Harper. “I apologize on my sister’s behalf.”
“No harm done,” said Harper as she returned to her seat.
I didn’t expect you to leave the matter to Jonas, Knox told her.
She’ll be embarrassed to have her older brother reprimand her right in front of everyone.
Knox’s mouth twitched into a smile. He’d expected Harper to threaten Alethea… maybe demonstrate just how much soul-deep pain could hurt. There would likely never be a day when he could predict her responses.
“Hello, Jolene,” Malden greeted pleasantly, all charm, as Jolene sank into the chair meant for Harper. Male Primes were shuffling along to make room for Martina and Beck, obviously eager to please the astonishingly beautiful Martina who was sweet, kind, and – unbeknown to them – addicted to setting fires.
Jolene smiled. “Well, hello… um…”
Harper leaned forward and supplied, “Malc—”
“Malden,” he quickly corrected.
Jolene nodded slowly. “Of course.”
Tanner spoke into Harper’s ear. “You two just can’t help yourselves, can you?”
Harper shrugged. “It would be no fun if we did.”
He just snorted.
A chair further down scraped against the floor as Alethea sharply pulled it out before none-too-gracefully settling into it, looking much like a spoilt child who was on strike. It was a wonder she didn’t fold her arms across her chest.
Harper’s demon grinned in satisfaction. “She’s a bit of a brat, isn’t she?” A faint vibe of amusement touched Harper’s mind.
Knox lay a hand on his mate’s thigh. “As she’s used to living among humans – a race she finds easy to manipulate – she isn’t used to people not falling in line with whatever she wants.”
“The new studio is coming along very well,” said Jolene.
“It is,” agreed Harper. Her family had been a big help in stripping the place bare and then helping paint the walls, fit the flooring, gloss the doors, put up shelves, update the kitchen, ready the stockroom, and also set up the autoclaves and partitions, etc. Soon enough, they would be able to move in all the equipment and furnishings, and hang up the tattoo flash.
The space was pretty big, so getting it ready was no simple job. Sure, they could have hired a company to take care of it all, but there was some satisfaction in playing such a big part in setting everything up. They’d decided to keep the name “Urban Ink,” and one of her cousins had created the most amazing sign with a font that was part calligraphy, part graffiti.
“How are your plans for the grand opening coming along?” Jolene asked.
“Pretty great. There are only a few last things to take care of.” Belinda had been shocked that Harper didn’t want her help planning the opening. She was also horrified that Harper was throwing a street party and stated that it would never be successful. Whatever.
“Several people have asked me when the new studio will open,” said Knox. “I think it will do very well in the Underground.”
“Did you know that a smug glint pops into your eyes whenever we talk about it?” asked Harper, amused. “You’re still gloating that you got your way.”
“Not gloating,” lied Knox. “I’m just happy that you’ll be somewhere safer.”
She gave a soft snort. “You’re totally gloating.”
A hush fell as Jonas took his seat at the head of the table. “Let us have a light lunch before we begin.”
Servers then entered the dining hall with platters. There were posh-looking salads, little fish-cake thingies, bruschetta, caviar, and a variety of small weird stuff. Harper wrinkled her nose. What are they?
A range of hot and cold canapés, Knox replied.
Oh.
Her glum tone made his mouth quirk. He flicked her earring gently and kissed her temple. I’ll take you to a restaurant of your choice after we’re done here.
Dude, you’re so getting lucky later. Sipping at her red wine, she saw Alethea watching them with an inscrutable look on her face. The dolphin quickly looked away.
Harper tried the bruschetta, which was kind of nice but it sadly left her hungry. When the clink and clatter of tableware came to an end about an hour later, the servers removed the plates and cutlery.
Jonas cleared his throat. “Now, shall we begin?” Murmurs of agreement spread throughout the hall, and Jonas nodded in satisfaction. “Good. Is there anything in particular that anyone wishes to discuss?”
“Isla’s lair has not yet agreed on a replacement for her,” said a Prime at the far end of the table. “It is currently operating without a Prime.”