Robbie came by later that morning—after a lazy few hours cuddling in front of a TV, watching a movie with Adrien—to ask Kelsey if she could come meet with her for a bit in Citrine’s office.

Adrien had needed to get ready for a staff meeting before their appointments anyway, so it worked out.

They’d said an awkward good-bye, with Robbie watching in amusement, and then Kelsey followed her down the hall, wondering what she could possibly want to meet with her about.

When they were in Citrine’s office, the door locked, Robbie pulled a chair out for Kelsey in front of Citrine’s desk and then sat behind it.

“So,” Robbie said. “I’ve decided to hand some of my manager’s duties over to you.”

“You aren’t leaving, are you?” Kelsey asked, wondering if this had anything to do with the men they’d seen the other day.

“Not planning to right away,” Robbie said. “But this was never supposed to be a permanent position, so I want to make sure there’s enough structure in place when I do decide to go. It’s great that you can be a bouncer, but I think you’re sharp and can do much more than that.”

“I have done office work before,” Kelsey said. “At one of my temp jobs. I haven’t used a lot of computer programs, though.”

“That’s fine,” Robbie said. “I can teach you the big one you need for scheduling pretty easily. The main thing is you get along with the guys. They respect you, especially Adrien, and you can keep them in line.”

“I can try,” Kelsey said. She felt nervous but a bit excited about all these new opportunities being held out to her. But deep down, she’d always felt more capable than she’d been able to show in any past position. Life was dropping more challenges in her lap, and she was happy to take them.

“Great,” Robbie said. “Because based on the fact that I saw you and Adrien together in that apartment, I’m guessing you’re going to be around here for a while.”

“It’s only been a few days,” Kelsey said. “I don’t know how you can tell.”

“These guys move fast, if Dante is any indication,” Robbie said, leaning back in her chair and running a hand over her hair, smoothing back the few dark curls that were escaping her bun. “Anyway, Adrien is so picky that my guess is he’s the type who, when he does find what he wants, he knows and he goes for it.”

“I know,” Kelsey said. “He’s said as much. But I mean, just a few days ago, I was a homeless person.”

“No,” Robbie said. “You were someone who got out of a bad situation and managed to find somewhere better. The rest is in the past.”

“I know,” Kelsey said. “I have to keep reminding myself of that.”

“Yes,” Robbie said. “And if you forget it, anyone here can remind you.” She gave her an oddly wistful look. “Even Citrine seems to really like you. I think you’ll all be fine here.”

“If you’re planning to leave, I think you should tell the others,” Kelsey said.

“I’m not,” Robbie said. “But just in case… come over here and pull up a chair, and we’ll go over the main programs. And if possible, please don’t tell Citrine about this, okay? I’ll tell him when I’m ready. He hates change, and he would overreact. But the truth is, when my friend Ella set me up with this job, I was always just supposed to get them on their feet and then be able to leave.”

“I think they’ll miss you,” Kelsey said. “But yes. I didn’t tell them about the other things, and I won’t tell them about this.”

“Right,” Robbie said. “Thanks for that. I’ll make sure nothing happens to jeopardize the club.”

“I’m not worried about that,” Kelsey said. “I’m worried about something happening again and you not having protection.”

“It’s okay,” Robbie said. “Now that I know they could be in the area, I can be more cautious. Come over here.”

Kelsey sighed and dragged a chair over. Robbie was almost independent to a fault, and there was no point talking more about it. She sat down and looked over at Robbie’s screen as she began to explain from the start menu how to get everything going.

Right now, the best thing she could do for everyone was start figuring out how to do Robbie’s job so when she did go, there wouldn’t be more chaos and confusion than there had to be.

Even if she hoped Robbie wouldn’t end up leaving at all.

* * *

“How long are they going to be in there?” Adrien asked Sever when the two group appointments they’d had that day were finally over.

“I don’t know,” Citrine said, joining the conversation with a clipboard. “Robbie requested the use of my office to go over a few things with Kelsey. Maybe legal issues surrounding her new position as security officer.”

“Yes, maybe,” Adrien said. But the girls hadn’t even joined them for lunch, instead staying in the office and ordering takeout. Maybe they were watching the cameras, but since the only two appointments were group appointments with everyone present, it was unlikely they needed to.

Adrien sat back slightly in his chair, irritated by how much he wanted to see his mate.

“Speaking of Kelsey,” Citrine said, sitting on the couch across from Adrien and Sever. “How are things going there? Is she your mate, do you think?”

Adrien’s eyes darted to the camera. “Should we be talking about it here?”

Citrine rolled his eyes, extended a finger to the camera, and flicked it. Sparks shot from the cord that attached to the camera, and the red dot went dark. “There. Now we should be fine to talk.”

Adrien glared at Citrine suspiciously. “What did you just do?”

“Just shorted it out,” Citrine said. “Nothing that can’t be fixed. Or replaced. But I hardly care about equipment compared to how my dragons are progressing with finding mates.”

“Your dragons?” Adrien said, raising an eyebrow and folding his arms. “You’re willing to take responsibility for us now?”

“Of course,” Citrine said. “I did from the moment we came here. That’s why I’ve had to be hard on you. But I’m seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, as it were, now that Kelsey is here. Sever and I noticed you didn’t come home last night.”

Sever’s steely gray eyes stared at Adrien questioningly. Adrien supposed he couldn’t blame them for being curious.

“Kind of barbaric what you did to that camera,” Adrien said.

Citrine flashed a smile that was no less predatory despite white, even teeth. “I can be barbaric as needed. I just prefer to be mannered.”

“I see,” Adrien said. “I’ll never understand you gem dragons.” Adrien looked at the clock on the wall. “The girls should be done soon.”

“Should,” Citrine said. “I’ve already locked the doors, and we shouldn’t be scheduled for any other appointments.”

“Right,” Adrien said.

“But you haven’t answered my question,” Citrine said.

“Yes, all right,” Adrien said. “I think I have found her, but I’m not sure how fast this is going to go. Sorry. She is a human, and I have no idea how to tell her I’m a dragon, let alone what I need to do to get to the point where I could do that.”

Citrine nodded thoughtfully. “Every dragon has gone about it a different way. The truth is most mates settle into the idea quickly. I’m not sure if it’s because they are aware on some level that dragons are different or if it’s because they are just humans with extraordinary faith. Either way, I’m sure it will be fine when you do tell her, but I think it is wise to wait.”

“Thanks,” Adrien said.

“Should we head back?” Sever asked. “I’m ready for dinner.”

“I’m going to wait a little longer,” Adrien said. “I told Kelsey I’d wait for her in the club so we could do dinner, and that’s what I’m going to do.”

“Did she like her new phone?” Sever asked.

“That’s right,” Citrine said. “I got the text with her number.”

Adrien let out a little growl. “I doubt you’ll need to use it.”

“Be that as it may, I’m glad to have it just in case,” Citrine said. “In case she needs us and you aren’t around.”

“I plan to be around, but it’s true. You’re the one who never leaves here,” Adrien said. “Why is that? You aren’t collared.”

“Well, you all are, and I’m supposed to stay with you. And besides, I have everything I need here, with my garden on the roof and the library downstairs.”

“Right, your precious garden,” Adrien said.

Citrine’s expression grew dark. “No one insults my plants.”

“Yes,” Adrien said. “Sorry, sorry, sunlight dragon. Your plants are the most amazing and worthwhile plants in the world.”

Citrine grinned. “That’s better.”

Sever let out a snort and stood. “All right, let’s go cook up a steak and leave Adrien to pine for his lover.”

Then Citrine and Sever disappeared out the door, talking to each other about what movie they’d watch that night.

Adrien leaned back, smiling, enjoying having the room to himself while he waited for Kelsey to join him. It gave him time to gather his thoughts, and—

But no sooner had he thought it than the doors in front of him began to push open, and he sat forward, getting ready to greet Kelsey.

But the woman who walked in and shut the doors behind her wasn’t Kelsey, but the woman from before, whom Kelsey had punched, who had come on to him.

He stood, eyebrows lowering. The woman was wearing a different suit, black, with a designer logo brooch on the lapel.

“How did you get in here?” he asked, cocking his head at her. He almost had to credit her persistence, managing to get in despite being banned.

Given how aggressive she’d been before, he should have known she would continue to be a problem. It was too easy for people to pretend to agree and then end up changing their tune later.

“You need to get out of here, now,” Adrien said. “We had an agreement. I have no problem calling security.”

“That girl that hit me before?” the woman said snottily, brushing her blond hair over one shoulder. “As if I’d let her catch me off guard again. Anyone lays hands on me and I really will sue this time.”

Adrien didn’t think that would do anything to deter Kelsey. He shoved his hands in his pockets impatiently. “There’s nothing for you to do here. We aren’t going to work with you, so get out.” He didn’t want to deal with this when he was supposed to see his mate.

And as much as he teased Kelsey about being a bouncer, he didn’t like the thought of her being in any danger, no matter how minor it might be.

The woman shook her head stubbornly. “Not until you give me what I want.”

He scratched his head. “And what is that exactly?”

The woman actually licked her lips. “You. You’ve denied me over and over, but who are you to say no to me? You hire yourself out. I have all the money you could want.”

Adrien felt his hackles rising but refused to be disturbed. He had Kelsey now. He didn’t spend every day being angry, feeling life was futile and worthless. He had something that brought a smile to his face, and that made it easier to face down people like this.

“I’m not doing anything with you, so I suggest you get out before I have to call the police. You are currently trespassing.”

“You can’t prove that,” she said.

She never had answered how she got in. Adrien supposed Citrine might have been mistaken about locking the doors downstairs. Adrien knew how easy it was to forget something so routine, as it was his failure to lock doors that had led to meeting Kelsey.

Best mistake of his life.

He took an impatient step forward to pass the woman and open the doors so he could leave. Nothing good could come from staying in the same room with her.

As he went by, she caught him by the arm in a surprisingly hard death grip. “I’m not used to not getting what I want,” she hissed.

He jerked, trying to get his arm free without hurting her, because he knew any violence toward a human female, no matter how ridiculous she was being, would have the oracle on his tail.

And he needed the oracle to take his ring off once Kelsey agreed to be his mate.

He was so close to getting his power back that he couldn’t waste it. “Let me go,” he said. “Immediately.”

But the woman took the moment to wrap both arms around him, holding on tight and trying to drag him toward the center of the room, hands moving all over his back and waist.

He grimaced at how gross the touch felt. He only liked Kelsey’s hands; anything else was disgusting. He looked up at the cameras but knew they were turned off.

He hoped Kelsey didn’t walk in on this and take it the wrong way, but since this was a human female, he truly had to be careful.

He went stiff in her arms. “How can you possibly be enjoying this?” he asked.

The woman looked up, her blue eyes oddly glassy. “I like seeing your reaction. You should see how red you are right now.”

Given the deep rage burning inside him, it wouldn’t surprise him.

“I’m telling you one last time. Release your hold.”

Just then the doors burst open and Kelsey came in, followed by Robbie.

“What were you doing disabling the camera?” Robbie practically yelled at him. “Did you think…?” She trailed off, bumping into Kelsey as they both took in what was going on.

The human wench was still locked to Adrien, feeling him up, and Kelsey shot forward with a snarl.

“Get off of him!” she shouted, running forward.