Longing for You, стр. 9
Just having these humans in Byron’s home filled her with worry.How was she supposed to keep the Debrek secret world hidden and Byron andAmelia safe with all these human strangers milling about the house? She hadtried to counsel Byron against letting so many in at once, and tried to limitthe number, but Byron was relaxed about the whole thing. Too relaxed.
Alexis gripped the wooden banister. Byron had become less carefulsince she and the Principessa became bonded, but Alexis vowed she would nottake her eye off the ball. It was her job to be vigilant, and to make sure everyonewas safe.
For all they knew, one of Victorija’s vampires could be downthere, playing the part of a human and plotting right under their noses. Alexishad initially placed guards everywhere, determined the humans would see nothingthey shouldn’t, but both Bhal and Byron had said it made this seemingly normalprivate London home look even odder to have guards on every doorway.
Now there were just two on the entrance hall, but her securitycameras were everywhere. No one was going to cause a security issue on her watch.
Something else caught Alexis’s attention—the clatter of heels onthe marble hallway floor. Katie had appeared from one of the downstairs roomsand walked across the floor towards one of the humans.
She hadn’t spoken with Katie properly for a long time, unless itwas to do with the house or Amelia and Byron, but that didn’t mean Alexishadn’t taken notice of her. Alexis always noticed Katie, but she would neverallow Katie to see that.
Her eyes caressed Katie, wearing a tight black skirt and whiteblouse. Alexis studied her so much that she knew every curve, every inch ofKatie. Alexis asked herself time and time again why this one petite humancaptured her attention so much.
She had been surrounded by beautiful women most of her long life, she’deven been on the verge of marriage to one, but none had kept her attention likeKatie Brekman. Katie wasn’t glamourous—she was the girl next door with thatsimple, natural beauty that few possessed.
Alexis watched Katie talking to one of the painters. They were lookingat paint colours, and Katie was laughing at what the painter said. Shesometimes wished she had that kind of easy-going humour that would allow her tospeak to Katie like that, but then her stoic personality was the one thing thatprotected her from getting hurt.
Then something changed. The male painter boxed Katie in againstthe wall and was entirely too close. Fortunately, Alexis’s enhanced hearing wasable to listen in on their conversation.
“No, I don’t think it’s a good idea. Let’s just keep this professionalnow,” Katie said.
The painter didn’t seem to take no for an answer. “Just one drink,come on.”
Alexis could feel rage building in the very pit of her stomach.
He leaned his face closer and put his hand on Katie’s hip. Secondsbefore Alexis was about to explode in anger, Katie ducked out of the painter’sarms and moved away.
“Excuse me, I have to deal with something in the kitchens.”
After Katie made a hasty retreat, Alexis watched the painter laughwith his fellow workmen and make a sexual gesture towards Katie as she walkedaway. Alexis leapt into action. She jumped over the banister and landed on thefloor as if the height had been only a step. The painter looked at her inshock.
“How did you—”
He looked terrified, just as Alexis wanted. “Let’s have a littlechat.”
* * *
Katie walked down into the large Debrek kitchen. It was full ofstaff getting food prepared for lunch. A voice behind her said, “Cuppa tea,Katie?”
Katie turned around and smiled when she saw the Debrek executive chefcoming out of her office.
“No, thanks. I can’t stay long. I’m just trying to take abreather, Dane.”
“What happened?”
Dane was a recent addition to the staff. Amelia had recruited herand revamped the kitchen. Everyone was enjoying the new meals she and her staffprepared. Dane had short shaved hair with a blue flop of hair on top. She waspart human, part shifter and had come recommended by Slaine.
“Just an idiot guy trying it on,” Katie said.
Dane crossed her arms. “Do you want me to go and have a quietword?”
Katie smiled. “Don’t worry—I can handle the likes of him. I’m justletting him cool off. In fact I should probably get back up there—thanks forthe sanctuary.”
“Anytime. See you at lunch,” Dane said.
Katie walked back up the stairs. Hopefully painter Dave hadcontrol of himself by now. She was only putting up with him because he and histeam did such good work. Amelia had scoured London looking for the best painterand decorator. Dave was the best, so despite his hot hands everywhere, she hadto calm things down and get him concentrated on work.
She opened the door that led from the kitchen staircase to theentrance hall and saw Dave and his crew hastily gathering up their stuff. A smug-lookingAlexis was standing there, arms folded, watching Dave run out the door.
What had she done? “Alexis? What’s going on? Where are the painterand his team going?”
“You don’t have to worry. They will not be back.”
“What? What are you talking about?”
“I saw what he did. I made it pretty clear to him what would befallhim if he didn’t leave.”
“You scared him off?” Katie said angrily. “I was handling it,Alexis.”
“It didn’t look like it from where I was standing.”
“What, so you were keeping your eyes on me? Watching me?”
Alexis never answered her.
“Amelia and I searched everywhere for him. He’s the best, and nowthe refurb will be held up even longer.”
Alexis’s facial expression turned from smug to angry. “Youshouldn’t put up with any sexual harassment for the sake of keeping a goodpainter.”
Katie felt hot fury burning inside her. Alexis was infuriatinglyright. She shouldn’t have to take that behaviour no matter how good he was.Still, it was her decision to make.
“You should have minded your own business,” Katie said.
Alexis folded her arms. “This is the thanks I get for protectingyou? Okay, the next time I see you being sexually harassed, I’ll just walkaway.”
“I wish you would. You don’t need