3. Graeme

3

GRAEME

T he sun hasn't risen yet, but early morning light is starting to filter through the windows of my apartment, painting the minimalist space in shades of gray. I sit up in bed, the cool silk sheets sliding off my bare chest.

The woman beside me stirs.

"Mmm, last night was incredible," she purrs, pressing her naked curves against my side and snaking an arm around my waist. She nuzzles her face against my wings in a gesture that is overly intimate. "How about a little encore before breakfast?"

Memories of our wild romp flash through my mind—her soft mouth, the way she moaned my name. It was enjoyable, but it was temporary. I was extremely clear with her that I only do one-night stands.

I'm already pulling away, swinging my legs over the side of the bed, unfurling my wings to stretch and then folding them back up again.

"Sorry, sweetheart," I say, looking over my shoulder at her. "I've got places to be."

She pouts, sitting up to let the sheets pool around her waist, putting her ample breasts on full display.

"Come on, handsome. Surely you can spare a few minutes for some fun?"

I stand, not bothering to glance back as I head for the closet. "I told you, I don't do repeats. Last night was great, and now it's time for you to go."

No attachments, no second chances.

Half the time, I don't even remember their names. It's easier that way. Safer. In my line of work, emotional entanglements are a liability I just can't risk.

The woman huffs in annoyance behind me, but I'm already moving on, my mind shifting to the day ahead. I yank on jeans and a fitted t-shirt that stretches over my muscular frame. The shirt allows for my wings to stretch out behind me. Oftentimes, though, I use my gargoyle magic to hide them entirely.

Grabbing my phone from the nightstand, I'm unsurprised to see a missed call from Alvric. My uncle—and clan leader—is already riding my ass this morning. Great.

I toss the woman's little black dress at her, watching impassively as she tugs the tight fabric over her curves. After she has her dress on, she crosses her arms and gives me an expectant look. I'm not sure what she wants from me—a kiss? A sweet goodbye?

Since I've never been in a relationship, I've never had to learn the intricacies of someone else's emotional needs.

Now is not the time to start.

"I have to begin my day," I tell her. "I'm sorry. I really do need you to leave."

She glares, but reluctantly follows me to the front door. I usher her out, closing the door firmly behind her.

The phone rings again mere seconds after the lock clicks into place, as if Alvric were waiting for her to leave. I glance at the screen where his name flashes insistently. With a sigh, I swipe to answer.

"Uncle. What can I do for you?" My tone is brisk, all business.

"Graeme." His voice is gravelly and deep, with a commanding undertone speaking to his decades of leadership. "I trust you've concluded your latest assignment?"

I confirm the foreign dignitaries I've been protecting for months have safely returned to their homeland.

Alvric grunts his approval.

As head of both our clan and the personal protection agency we run, his expectations are sky high. For me, there's no real satisfaction in meeting them. I know what's coming next—the same damn conversation we've been having for months now.

"Good," Alvric says. "Then it's time to come home."

My grip tightens on the phone, knuckles darkening.

"Your duty is to our clan, Graeme," he continues, the words a familiar refrain. "To our legacy. It's time you took your rightful place as my heir."

His words slice through me like a blade, precise and ruthless. The suffocating weight of his expectations settles over me, and my stomach twists at the thought of returning to the stronghold.

Of being trapped in a role I never asked for.

I blow out a breath, struggling to keep my tone even. Respectful.

"I understand the importance of our legacy, Uncle. However, our reputation in the human world is just as vital. For now, I can best serve the clan by continuing my work here."

Alvric raised me after my parents were killed on an assignment when I was a kid. He made me his de facto successor. But something about returning home and taking over his position… just doesn't feel right.

Not yet.

The line goes quiet, heavy with Alvric's disapproval. I brace myself for the tirade I know is coming.

When Alvric speaks again, his voice is surprisingly calm. "Very well. As it happens, we had a new client reach out in an emergency last night. A management firm needs protection for a rising pop star with a stalker problem."

I'm interested, of course. A celebrity client could be a chance to further cement the Grigori reputation.

And I'll take any assignment that helps me delay the inevitable.

"I'll send you the details," Alvric continues. "You must consider this your final field assignment, Graeme. Once it's concluded, I expect you to return home and take your place as my successor. No more excuses, no more delays. Understood?"

My throat tightens. I know there's only one thing I can say to maintain the fragile peace between us.

"I understand, Uncle. I won't let you down."

The words sound like surrender.

A short while later, I pull up to a sleek high-rise, double-checking the address Alvric sent to ensure I'm in the right place. As I step out of my car, I'm greeted by two women. One, a polished blonde in a sharp blazer.

The other...

My breath catches.

She's stunning. Curves for days, porcelain skin, and shimmering blue hair that frames her face like a halo. Her face is flushed from what I'd guess was a run, judging by her workout gear. The pink in her cheeks and light shine of sweat only make her glow.

It's more than just her looks, though. Power radiates from her, an aura that practically hums with magic.

I've met countless beautiful women in my line of work. None have ever affected me quite like this.

Heat unfurls low in my gut, primal and insistent.

I lock the sensation away with the rest of my inconvenient emotions. I'm here to do a job, not get distracted by a pretty face. No matter how alluring.

The blonde steps forward, hand extended. "Mr. Grigori, I presume? I'm Natalie Russo, Ecco's manager. I spoke with your uncle last night."

I take her hand, shaking firmly. "Pleasure."

I turn to the blue-haired siren, keeping my expression carefully neutral even as her gaze sends another jolt of awareness through me. "And you must be Ms. Waverly."

Her manager says something else, but the words fade into the background as Ecco's eyes meet mine, lips parting on a soft inhale.

She just stares, awe and apprehension flickering across her face. Like she's not quite sure what to make of me.

That makes two of us.

My clients are usually human, not magical. But that flicker of unease, that wariness... it intrigues me more than it should. Makes me wonder what secrets those violet eyes might be hiding.

I shake off the thought as quickly as it comes. I'm not here to unravel her mysteries. I'm here to keep her safe, whether she likes it or not. And based on the stubborn tilt of her chin, the way she meets my gaze head-on...

Something tells me she's not going to make my job easy.

Natalie and Ecco lead me into the building, up to Ecco's sprawling apartment on one of the highest floors. As they give me the grand tour, pointing out the various rooms and amenities, I catalog the space with a critical eye.

The flimsy lock on the front door.

The floor-to-ceiling windows that would be all too easy for an intruder to access.

Each new vulnerability makes my frown deepen, my mind already compiling a list of necessary upgrades and protocols.

I turn to Ecco with a scowl. "Is this a joke? These so-called ‘security measures' are practically an engraved invitation for anyone who wants to waltz right in and do gods know what. Are you trying to get yourself killed?"

Ecco's expression turns indignant, her arms crossing defensively over her chest.

"Excuse me?" she says. "I'll have you know I've lived here for months without incident. I choose to believe in the good in people, and usually, I'm proven right."

I scoff, shaking my head. "Yeah? And how's that working out for you? Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm here because some creep broke into your bedroom in the middle of the night. Right?"

Ecco's eyes widen, a telltale sheen of tears appearing.

Shit .

Did I really just make my new client cry mere minutes after meeting her? Usually, it takes at least a day or two for them to get to that point.

I shove down the twinge of regret. There's nothing to apologize for. This woman is being na?ve, reckless with her own safety.

The sooner she realizes that, the better.

And if I also want to wrap her in my arms, to promise that I'll never let anything happen to her… well, those are just my protective instincts kicking in. It doesn't mean anything.

Ecco whirls on Natalie, her face tight with anger and her voice fiery. "If you insist on this arrangement, it's only until the stalker is caught. The minute they're apprehended, the bodyguard is gone. Got it?"

Ignoring her protests, I turn to Natalie, all business.

"I'll need a list of all Ecco's upcoming appearances and engagements. As well as a detailed rundown of her daily routine. We'll need to make some changes to ensure her safety."

Natalie nods, then clears her throat. "Speaking of security measures, Mr. Grigori, should we discuss your base of operations?"

"That second bedroom will do." I'm already mentally setting up my equipment, planning a full sweep of the building. "I'll need a few hours to get everything in place."

Ecco glances between us, brow furrowed. "Wait, what? What do you mean, the second bedroom?"

I raise an eyebrow at Natalie before pinning Ecco with an impassive stare. "She didn't tell you? I'm moving in. 24/7 protection detail, effective immediately."

Ecco's mouth drops open, but no words come out. She just stares at me, shock and disbelief warring in her eyes. I can practically see the gears turning in her head as she tries to process this new development.

Frankly, her feelings about it don't really matter.

I'm going to protect this difficult, beautiful woman, even if it drives us both nuts.