CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR

O liver marched through the castle halls. He could have teleported, but marching was much more gratifying right in this moment.

Stomp, stomp, stomp.

What the fucking hell was she doing back here?

He pushed through the front door, teleported to the bend in the driveway and then continued his marching until he reached the gates.

There she was. Leaning against her car like she was the goddamn queen of the world. The only thing missing was a long cigarette. It would suit her well.

“What are you doing here, Piper?” Oliver growled, taking in her short skirt and bright pink cropped jacket. What a ridiculous outfit in this cold weather.

“What are you doing here?” she replied.

Oliver snorted. “I live here.”

“Obviously, but I asked to see Ari.” Piper sighed as if he was fucking stupid.

“He’s busy,” Oliver replied, folding his arms. “Now, answer the question. What are you doing here? Again .”

Piper stepped away from the car and walked toward the gates, gripping them as she glared at him.

God, her eyes were gorgeous.

Bitches could be beautiful—he wasn’t blind.

“Where is my sister?”

Sage was inside the mansion, but Oliver wasn’t going to share that piece of information with Piper. Partly because he knew it would irritate her, but also because he knew Ari was telling Sage she was his mate this evening.

It was a big damn deal, especially if he decided to change her into a vampire.

And if Oliver knew Ari, after what had taken place today, he wouldn’t be waiting a moment longer. The vampire had waited an eternity for his mate, and no one deserved this more than Ari.

It was the right thing to do, especially given who he was. It was a new moment for the vampire world, though very few knew or may ever know. Sage needed to be protected. She was an important person in their history now.

Oliver had no desire to mate.

Most vampires looked forward to meeting the one male or female to make them complete, but he was quite happy with his carefree life. He’d just been promoted to head assassin and had all the pussy he could ask for.

Why would he want to settle down with one girl?

Nope. It wasn’t for him. He hoped it took a damn long time.

“How the hell should I know?” Oliver shrugged, responding to her question. Piper narrowed her eyes at him, and it was as if she could see right through him.

God, she pissed him off.

“Sage hasn’t been home for two nights and she’s not answering her phone,” Piper said. “Is she in there or not?”

One thing Oliver didn’t like doing was lying. Not directly. And that was a direct damn question.

Fucking journalist.

“Yes.”

“So you just lied to me,” she accused.

“No.”

“Yes, you did, you said how should I —”

“I asked a question. I didn’t lie. You translated it into an answer.” Oliver interrupted her.

“Why are you such an asshole?” Piper crossed her arms.

Oliver smirked and held out his arms. “It was a skill I was born with, sweetheart. Now goodnight.”

He turned and began walking back down the drive. Oliver heard Piper huff behind him, and he started grinning.

That would teach—

The horn of her car began bleating. Over and over and over and over.

“The fuck?” Oliver spun around.

What’s going on? Alex telepathed him.

Fucking women is what’s going on. Open the goddamn gates.

Holding himself back from using vamp speed, Oliver marched across the road and ripped open the car door.

“Oh, hey. Fancy seeing you here,” Piper said, smiling all innocently.

He noticed her skirt was barely covering anything now she was seated. Was she trying to get herself raped?

“Get out of the car,” Oliver said, reaching for her.

Piper pulled her arm away.

“I said, get out of—”

“Will you take me to my sister?” Piper demanded.

Oliver groaned.

“You aren’t going to leave, are you?” he asked. He could wipe her memory and send her home, but she was now the sister of Ari’s mate, and he would need to speak to him about how he wanted this issue dealt with.

“No.”

“Then follow me,” Oliver said.

Shit.

This was the last thing they needed with the royal family in residence. Still, it was likely they’d wipe her memory so until then he’d hide her in his room.

Fucking great.