“Breathtaking.”
Their driver, who’d been introduced as Ryall, was talking to the guards. Caleb lowered the window and a blond-haired, tanned man looked in.
“Hey there, boys. You’re back. And you picked yourself up a little lady. Hello there, darlin’. I’m Huxley Coalson the third, at your service.” He had a Texan drawl that she really hadn’t expected.
“Hello, Huxley. I’m Vivi.”
“Call me Hux. Well, Vivi, don’t know what you’re doing with these assholes, but whenever you get sick of their ugly mugs, you just come find me.”
Wolfe let out this nasty-sounding snarl which had her turning to him in shock. She’d never heard Wolfe make a noise like that. “Ours.”
Hux’s eyes widened. “So the Wolfe can experience emotions? I thought you were as cold as a statue, man.”
Immediately she bristled. Of course Wolfe felt things. He’d just protected himself from being hurt by not letting himself feel too much.
“Of course he can experience emotion. He’s not a robot,” she defended Wolfe.
Hux stared at her. “Well, I’ll be. You found someone to tame the Wolfe.”
“He’s not a wild animal.” She scowled at the man.
Hux held up at his hands. “No offense meant, darlin’. I just never thought I’d see the day.”
“Hux,” Caleb commanded. “If you know what’s good for you, stop eyeing up our woman and let us in. It’s been a long trip and she’s tired. Plus, you’re putting Wolfe on edge.”
Wolfe just stared at him coldly.
“Yeah, right, got it. Go on through. I’ll let Prince Kassim know you’re here. He wanted to meet with you before you go into your Marjarsom.”
She wasn’t really tired. She’d slept well for the first time in ages. And while she was sure she’d tire easily, at the moment she was filled with excitement. The fact that they lived in a place with armed guards and a huge gate didn’t scare her.
In fact, it made her feel safe.
“Marjarsom?” she asked as the window went back up.
“The twenty-one days where we have to woo you and make you decide to stay with us,” Aleki explained.
It was on the tip of her tongue to tell them she’d already decided. But that would be too hasty. She should make sure they were all on the same page. And that she could be what they needed.
“I’ll meet with Kassim while you get Vivi fed and settled,” Caleb told the other two.
“She needs to rest,” Aleki stated.
“I don’t need to rest.”
“The physician will need to check her over, too,” Wolfe said. “I’ll set that up.”
“I feel fine. I don’t need a doctor.”
“We also need to set down a time to talk about the schedule and rules,” Wolfe said.
“Set up a time and let us all know,” Caleb agreed.
“Guys!”
They all looked to her. “Did you think about maybe including me in the conversation?”
They stared at each other. Obviously not.