“Why can’t you deal with the preparations?” Harper asked him.

“I’ve given my input. Now you need to give yours.”

“But she’s an event planner. Can’t I leave it to her and her team to deal with?”

“No, baby. You’re a Prime now. You can’t hand anyone complete control of anything in your life.”

Well, he had a point there. Dammit. “Did she happen to mention that she wanted to hold the event in the ballroom of one of the hotels?”

Knox frowned. “There isn’t a ballroom big enough for hundreds of demons to fit inside.”

“Oh, she’s still happy for the whole stretch of the Underground’s strip to be involved in the event. She wants each and every bar, club, restaurant, and other venue to take part, which is fine. But she just also wants all the Primes and VIPs to be separated from everyone else so they can have a fancy party – a party she doesn’t want my relatives attending.” Fuck that.

“She failed to mention all of that,” replied Knox, face hardening.

“I told her that I didn’t mind if she made the combat zone look fancy so it catered to anyone with that taste.” It was no different than the clubs and bars throwing something casual, and she knew Knox would prefer the whole champagne and soft music scene. “But only if the space was open to anyone.”

“That’s more than fair,” said Knox. Done with his meal, he pushed his plate aside. “If she complains to me about this, I’ll be sure to make it clear that there will be no segregating anyone. I’m sorry she’s being a problem for you, baby. If you want her fired, say the word.”

“I don’t want to fire her. In terms of her work, I have no complaints about her. Most of her suggestions have been really good, and her team is totally on the ball. I don’t want to take care of all the stuff they’re arranging. It’s just that, well, she’s a pain in the ass at times. But I can deal.”

“All right.” In truth, Knox would prefer to fire Belinda if she was causing his mate any frustration, but coddling Harper would only make her pissed at him. “If it comes to a point where it gets too much or she steps over any line, she’s gone.” Satisfied when Harper nodded, he stood and pulled on the jacket of his black suit. “Unfortunately, I have to go now. You’ll find out your co-workers’ opinion on my proposal?”

“I said I will, and I will.”

Knox crossed to Harper and tugged her to her feet. “I have a busy day ahead,” he began, nipping her lip, “but I won’t be home too late.”

Harper melted against him, inhaling his dark sensual cologne that drove her demon crazy. “The girls are taking me to the Underground after work. They want to help me pick out a dress for the little shindig.”

“You say it like they’re taking you for a walk down Death Row. And it’s not a shindig.”

“Hm.”

He kissed her long and slow. “I’ll meet you at the Underground tonight then.” He breezed his thumb over her jaw. “Remember to be alert for any signs of Crow. You made me a promise yesterday and I expect you to keep it.” He would give her the space to be self-reliant and he’d respect her need to fight her own battles, but not to a point that she wouldn’t admit to needing his help.

“I will. Take care. A bullet to the heart could kill you too.” Her brow furrowed. “Couldn’t it?”

“Maybe.” His mouth curved as he teased, “Then again, maybe not.” With a gentle pat to her ass, he left.

CHAPTER FOUR

An hour later, Tanner smoothly parked the Audi outside the tattoo studio, just as he did every morning. Her dark, broad shouldered bodyguard was also her chauffeur, and Harper didn’t understand how the roles couldn’t possibly bore the living shit out of him. He was a sentinel. He was trained in God knew how many different things and had plenty of adrenalin pumping stuff he could be doing, like tracking Crow.

She’d told Knox several times to give Tanner less demanding hours, but her mate wouldn’t hear of it. And, considering stuff like almost getting raped happened when the hellhound wasn’t around, she didn’t really have a decent case to argue with.

“That’s not nice,” said Tanner, a smile in his voice.

Tracking his gaze, Harper saw Devon standing at the window flipping him off. Then, with a haughty glare, the hellcat flicked her long, ultraviolet curls over her shoulder and whirled back to face the jewelry display cabinet. Hellhounds and hellcats had an instinctive aversion to each other.

Twisting in his seat, Tanner held out a small paper bag, his wolf-gold eyes gleaming with mischief. “Give this to the kitty cat for me.”

Harper raised her hands. “No way. I’m not getting involved in this weird little war you two are having.”

“Oh come on, Harper.”

Sliding out of the car, she shook her head. “You’ll have to give it to her yourself. Though I wouldn’t advise you to.” Devon was by no means weak.

Pushing open the front door of the studio, Harper found Khloë sitting behind the curved, chrome reception desk. It was always kept obsessively neat, despite that the small, olive-skinned imp was literally the messiest person appearance-wise ever.

Khloë grinned. “Morning, sunshine. Donuts? I didn’t steal these.”

Such a little liar. Harper blew out a long breath and forced a smile. “Maybe later.”