Chapter 22

“Like hell I’ll be scared off by fucking Nolan Reid,” Asher bit out, fortunately distracted from Celine’s scent by this line of conversation.

Jael looked troubled by this, reaching into his pocket for a cigarette only to give up at a glance at Celine, he would probably get the butt of Asher’s gun to his skull if he smoked at the table while the Omega was eating.

Talking about the Omega, it was difficult not to blame her for the sudden turn of things. The fact that Mafia King Nolan had come personally to ask for her had been a bright red flag, his men storming one of Asher’s clubs a couple nights before definitely had something to do with that, the other Mafia King was practically declaring war.

“That’s probably what he’s banking on,” He muttered, knowing that convincing his Alpha was a lost cause.

The three Alpha Kings had to have periodic meetings because although they were rivals, they still ran a city together. Jael was worried that Mafia King Nolan would try to pull something during the meeting but he might as have as well been speaking to a brick wall.

“He’s not the only one that knows how to pull a trigger,” Asher tossed back, completely unbothered as he watched the Omega eat with interest.

“And?” He urged, flicking his eyes at Celine, “Are you taking her?”

“Are you suggesting I shouldn’t?” Asher’s voice dropped dangerously and Jael knew to immediately backtrack.

He should have figured that this was exactly how that would go, “Just curious,” He shrugged getting to his feet, “You’ve got an appointment in half an hour and it’s my job to get you there on time.”

Celine looked up at this, her crystal blue eyes wide, a strawberry held between her pursed lips.

“I have to go,” Asher said lightly which was pretty impressive considering that he was a hairsbreadth way from replacing the luscious red fruit.

Celine’s sound of surprise as she stood up was muffled, she would never get used to Asher smacking her ass. The juice of the strawberry dripped down her lips but before she could hastily reach for a napkin, Asher had caught her jaw, licking it clean.

She could only watch in a daze as he walked out casually like he hadn’t just fried her thinking faculties, she completely forgot to chew the fruit until the door shut with a thud, startling her out of her daze.

Celine had to check her pulse to make sure it still worked, slowly sitting down with a little dopey smile.

+

Although Celine had a lot of thoughts about how outings with Asher usually went, she was happy to be told to get ready for an outing that evening, maybe she was getting a little too attached to the Mafia King but he had been treating her so well, anyone would.

Her lack of freedom was one thing and she still hadn’t forgotten about her things, maybe she should bring it up with Asher before she lost her possessions forever. It should be easy to now that she knew that nothing had actually changed between them but first she had to get ready for their outing.

She wore a dusky pink velvet mini dress with a cowl neckline, matching opera gloves, and dainty white heels. Her hair was left down her bare shoulders in glorious waves of platinum blonde and her lips were painted a glossy pink to match her dress.

Celine would never get over being able to dress how she wanted, it was a satisfying consolation price for being trapped in a Mafia King’s bedroom. And even better, Asher had never once disapproved of her tastes, considering that the only set of clothes that she had been given was in all shades of black, she had been expecting him to protest her affinity for soft colors.

As she was bent over touching up her lipstick in the dresser mirror, distracted by her thoughts, ringed hands slipped around her waist and she instantly knew who it was. She tried her hardest to act normal which was difficult considering their current positions, she was bent over right in front of Asher, the space in between them paper thin.

“I-I was told that I’m to meet you outside,” She spoke up, managing it with only a slight tremble in her voice.

“I wanted to get you myself,” Asher was saying but she wasn’t paying attention, drowning in his scent.

*Was this going to become routine? Him scenting her before they went anywhere?* She wished she hated it and she would also hate to get addicted to his dark scent.

Celine had to lean on Asher as they went out, blaming the fact that she got scent drunk every time he scented her on the fact that she hadn’t been scented by anyone before him. She was still a little dazed when she stepped out of the mansion but she didn’t miss the knowing look that Jael gave her, it made her frown slightly.

It wasn’t until she got into the car with Asher’s help that she realized that she hadn’t been told where they were going, it was the first time that happened so she didn’t bother to ask. As long as Asher let her stay with him, she would be perfectly fine, even if that came at the expense of the safety of others.

At this point, she had gotten used to the armed men that were constantly around Asher, so she didn’t even question the fact that there was another Beta in the passenger seat across from Jael who was behind the wheel.

Asher never gave her his attention in the car and tonight was no different, the usual distance in between them as she focused on the streetlights outside the window. All of the windows in Asher’s cars were blacked out so once night fell, it was difficult to see through it, save for fluorescent lights that were like colorful sparks in the darkness.