Two Lines Read Online Free PDF Page B

so over her. Beautiful. Wealthy…and with the things I see in the news…Did you know there were shootings just up the street from her flat?”
    Eavan blinked the tears away. Her voice was clear, though, as she said, “I’m not moving home. No matter what…happens.”
    â€œI’ll accept that,” Nyx said mildly. “In fact, I’ve hired Mr. Owens’s firm for that very reason. I’ve taken a lease on the vacant flat across from yours.”
    â€œI don’t think—”
    â€œOr you can move home.” Nyx looked back at Eavan. “You have choices. Prove to me that you can do as you’re told or return to the fold where I can look after you. I’ll not have you die to prove a point.”
    â€œNyx,” Eavan pleaded, “please?”
    Nyx turned away.
    â€œI want to apologize for making you stay in Eavan’s dismal building, Mr. Owens. How anyone could want a tiny little nest in some ugly modern thing…It’s appalling.” Nyx’s reply couldn’t have held more vitriol. She sighed melodramatically before adding, “NeNe and Chloe will go over the other details with you. Eavan and I have things to discuss in private before you two leave.”
    And with that, Nyx dismissed him, and NeNe and Chloe were at his sides almost instantly to assure that he was removed from the room. Nyx spoke, and the world obeyed.
    Except me.
    â€œTell me about your associates, Mr. Owens,” Chloe murmured as she trailed fingertips over his stomach.
    â€œChloe.” Nyx curled her mouth into snarl. “Not acceptable.”
    â€œYes, Nyx.” Chastened, Chloe ducked her head and hurried the man out of the room.
    Eavan repressed a shiver as everyone left her behind.
    Not that witnesses would matter.
    Eavan stood. Wordless, she walked over to place the brush on one of the vanities.
    Nyx pulled the dark spill of hair over her shoulder, where it coiled into a rope that would’ve made Rapunzel jealous. She turned her gaze to Eavan. “Do you think it’s easy for me to think of you vulnerable to the dangers of the world?”
    â€œI don’t have a choice, do I?”
    â€œI’d rather you didn’t die.”
    â€œI’d rather no one died,” Eavan said.
    â€œSometimes death is necessary.” Nyx made a fluttering gesture with her hand as if to shoo away an insect. “Yours is not one I’d like.”
    Eavan bowed her head. She’d lost. She’d lost months ago, but simply hadn’t known it yet. Nyx had concocted some story, hired a bodyguard, and effectively entrapped Eavan. She’d been sentenced to spending her time around a tempting mortal.
    How am I to do anything about Daniel now? Eavan wasn’t about to admit that she’d been hunting the drug dealer. Nyx was always surly over dealers. She liked her strip clubs well enough, but refused to allow any drugs in her clubs. Unlike Daniel.
    â€œHe’s pretty.”
    Eavan turned to stare at her grandmother. “What?”
    â€œThe man. He’s pretty. The type you try not to look at.” Nyx stretched her legs out on the divan. “I notice, child. I’ve been noticing for years.”
    Eavan didn’t dare turn her back on Nyx, so she settled for a shrug.
    Nyx laughed, sounding joyous as she often did after long days of partying.
    â€œI’m not like you, Grandmama. I won’t be.” Eavan’s mouth was dry. It’d been months since Nyx struck her, but the possibility was always there. “Putting him in my path doesn’t change that. You’re wasting money hiring him to ‘protect’ me.”
    â€œI haven’t forgotten how difficult that first time is, sweetie.” Nyx held out a hand.
    Eavan went to her. She took her grandmother’s hand as she sat at the woman’s feet. Centuries of experience hid under Nyx’s flawless skin.
    â€œI’m not going to do it,”