I’d learned he dabbled with property, and, on paper, he had every police and politician fawning over him thanks to his philanthropy and wholesome deeds in the community.
He had them completely hoodwinked.
If I hadn’t had the pleasure of receiving his threats, I’d be suckered in too. However, I knew the type of man he was beneath the specially cultivated persona. I knew him better than I probably should because, unfortunately, we seemed to be fairly similar.
I couldn’t lie and say I was looking forward to the meeting. In fact, I’d asked Cal and Jess if they’d rather go alone. To have a private meeting about their adoption potential without us there to ruin their chances.
However, Cal had pulled me aside and asked if I’d be there. Not just for safety—because even though he’d banned me from bringing Radcliffe, he was just as untrusting as me and had no intention of meeting Q on his own turf without some security measures in place—but also as his friend.
He didn’t come out and say it, but he needed me and Eleanor, just in case the meeting didn’t go well. Just in case Q decided, for whatever fucking reason, that he didn’t like them and left them with shattered dreams to patch up.
Of course, I wouldn’t let Q fucking say no to them.
What my friends wanted, they would have. They were the best people I knew. And no goddamn way would I let a French bastard stand in their way.
Despite my reservations of the meeting, Eleanor was full of anticipation. After all, she had her own ulterior motives. She’d once met Q’s wife while sitting in a cell, waiting for traffickers to wash, tattoo, and sell them.
Their meeting had only been brief but they’d made an impression on each other, and her eyes lit up at the thought of seeing her again. Of seeing her happiness being married to a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Of showing off her own happiness being married to a monster in scientist camouflage.
I could already tell it would be a long day amongst dreaded humans.
But if it went well, there would be another person sailing home with us.
Someone tiny and unsure.
Someone who would become a part of our family on Goddess Isles.
Pika fluttered to my shoulder, chirping at the busy port.
I smiled, shedding my temper. “Can’t take you with us, Pika. Immigration’s stupid rules.”
He squawked.
“I know. Sucks. I’m sure you would’ve enjoyed a croissant from some cholesterol-saturated French bakery.”
“I know someone else who would enjoy that,” Eleanor said softly, coming to my side wearing a crimson dress that set off her chocolate hair and gorgeous smoky eyes. Skittles sat on her shoulder, a shot of bright green.
I froze.
Fuck, she’s stunning.
I drank in the moment.
I reached out and held the hand of the woman who’d toppled my dynasty, came to rescue me on death’s door, and made my every waking moment sublime.
Without her, I was nothing.
With her, all my dreams had come true. Including the dark ones, the sinful ones, and the ones we’d yet to code in Euphoria.
Pulling her into a kiss, I tasted melon on her tongue and smelled sunshine in her hair. “Have I told you I love you today?”
“Nope.” She kissed me back, her tongue slow and sensual. “But if you do, I’ll let you ravish me later.”
I grinned against her mouth. “Ravish, huh? That sounds like a word a Scottish Highwayman might use.” I nipped my way along her jaw, licking her ear. “I could be persuaded to enjoy another Jacobite-era fantasy.”
“Will you sully me for marriage to a highland lord?”
“Abso-fucking-lutely.”
She laughed, her hand drifting down the front of my charcoal suit. I’d traded the casual seafaring outfits for one of my old business apparels. Suits were armour, and I was going into battle with Q fully armed.
“In that case, I will gladly let you ravish me, you dirty lusty cur.”
“Rake, if you don’t mind.”
She laughed again as we kissed, dislodging Pika and Skittles until they flew around our heads.
Her face fell for a second as she narrowed her eyes at another ship as it floated toward port.
I knew that look.
She’s worried about something.
“What is it?” I cupped her cheek, bringing her attention back to me.
She huffed. “You’re going to think I’m stupid.”
“Never.” I kissed her. “Annoying, demanding, salacious, and entirely fucking amazing, but never stupid.”
She rolled her eyes. “Such a romantic.”
“Going to tell me why you’re glowering at that other boat?”
“I’m worried about Rapture and that pirate asshole on Paradigm Purge.”
“I told you.” I scowled. “We’ve added security measures. He won’t get near Rapture without being taken out.”
“Yeah, but what if he steals someone?”
“He won’t.”
“But what if he does.”
I sighed. “Then we’ll hunt the bastard and free her.”
Eleanor slouched. “I just have a feeling he’s going to cause problems.”
Running my hands through her gorgeous hair, I murmured, “Or he could just sail away and vanish.”