feeling. Renee thought their first meeting in the airport had been coincidental. Nothing Elyria planned was coincidental. From the first meeting to the dinner invitation tonight, Elyria had orchestrated this elaborate scheme with pre-calculated precision. Through the years, they’d embarked on several adventures, relieving men of their fortunes and building their own. Elyria had a sadistic streak when it came to Alpha men that bordered on hatred, but she’d never seen her lover this hyped before.
Elyria called this the big one, their last major coup. The one that would fix all the wrongs if they did it right. She spent hours working out details to make sure everything went perfect. After this, they would retire to a private island they owned in South America off the coast of Brazil.
If only it were that simple. How long she sat staring at pictures of people who no longer mattered, she wasn’t sure. When the security alarm beeped, telling her someone had entered, she shut down the computer and went to greet Elyria.
Dressed in black leather skin-tight pants and a figure-hugging black short-sleeve shirt, Elyria looked like rock star or runway model. Whenever she entered a room, especially if her hair hung natural and loose down her back, people stared. Tonight, her eyes looked bluer as they sparkled with warmth and affection. That could change in a heartbeat, depending on the situation, and Mélange suspected they would become ice chips tonight.
“Hi, babe. I got that last transmission, Renee became hesitant at the end, and you need to convince her you’re serious. I saw how that last question bothered you, but don’t let our relationship trip you up. We’re so close to finding the chameleon bracelet, I can taste it.” Elyria grabbed her in a loose hug and took her hand, leading her to the sofa.
When they were seated, Elyria massaged Mélange’s hands. “She hasn’t mentioned Asia yet. How do we find out more information on that bitch? I want to personally kick her ass for shooting you in Griff’s lab and leaving you to die in the explosion. Stupid ass bitch.”
Mélange cringed from the memories of that day. On her last assignment for the Liege, she stole Asia from an underground laboratory and took her to Griff’s hideaway for a huge bounty. Elyria had heard Griff secured a chameleon bracelet from someone in her old clan and wanted her to steal it so she could alter it for her needs. But Asia killed Griff, and refused to give Mélange the bracelet.
She squeezed Elyria’s hand. “You were there and got us both out in time.”
“But she didn’t know that.”
Mélange didn’t belabor the point, they had other matters she dreaded to discuss. “What’s the timeline?”
“The kids just started school, so we give them time to relax into the routine a bit. See if you can go with her to see her mom.”
“That’s pushing it. She’s mentioned it twice and never invited me.”
Elyria’s eyes narrowed. “Are you giving her the magic treatment? I’ve seen you smile and flirt with both men and women better than you’re doing with this trick. By now she should be handing over her debit and credit cards.” She leaned forward. Black eyes clashed with blue. “Get her to take you to fucking West Virginia, that’s the reason you’re sucking up to this bitch.”
She’s human, not a bitch . “I’ll try.”
Elyria patted her hand and sat back. “As long as you’re successful, all I ask is that you try.”
Mélange eyed Elyria. Something was off. Normally during a job they discussed details, how to make the job work better, but this time Elyria kept things separate, treating her more as an employee than partner. Uncomfortable with her lover’s comment, Mélange stood.
“You’re pouting. Goddess, please,” Elyria said, rolling her eyes. “Look…you know what I mean. Do your best and if it doesn’t work, we’ll figure out something. Is that better?”
“I’m not a child,” Mélange said,