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“The little leaf pendant.”

I slide open the glass door, collect the necklace, and lean over the counter on my elbows. Violet watches as I hold the pendant at eye level. It’s a small quaking aspen leaf, engraved in fine, delicate quaking aspen clusters.

“Each of these pendants holds a hidden blade.” Taking hold of either side of the leaf, I pull the pendant, opening and revealing a small hidden blade. “They’re small but strong and incredibly sharp.” I press the leaf back together, and it clasps with a faint click. Then I drape the white gold chain over her neck, the compact weapon dangling over her chest.

“Thank you,” she says, then she rises on her toes and kisses my cheek. I grab her by the nape and seal her lips to mine. We kiss for a minute, then she nudges me, and I back off. Giving her just enough space to speak. “I still visit Aria...”

“I do, too.” Her eyes widen a fraction.

“You visit her?”

“Three days a week since we’ve been back.” I brush my lips over hers.

“She hasn’t found a home yet…”

“Yes, she has.”

“Oh…” She lowers her gaze, and I nudge her nose with mine, bringing her back to me.

“As soon as we’re settled, we will bring her home.”

“Really?” She exhales with a smile.

“Yes.” I brush my lips over hers again.

“Cain!” Pru’s voice calls from the forge.

“Store side, Pear!” I call out, and she quickly comes through the opening behind the counter.

“Ugh, Cain, I need your he—Violet! My beautiful bestie. You’re here?!” Pru brushes past me, flies around the counter, and wraps her body around Violet from behind. Violet sucks in a breath and freezes.

“Let her go,” I command. Pru shoots her eyes at me, her brow wrinkling as she scowls.

“Why?” She responds with as much attitude as ever.

“Please,” Violet’s pained voice quakes through. Pru releases her, staring at her for a beat with her eyes narrowed.

“Wha—” Pru cuts herself off when she tugs back Violet’s dress and sees the masterpiece covering her. “Oh. My. God.” She shoots her glare in my direction, and I can’t stop the smirk tugging at my lips. “Cain, you sadistic fuck! All those sketches of her are real?!” She shakes her hands open-palmed in my direction, then turns back to Violet, one hand on her hip and the other pointing a finger at her. “And you, you let him do this to you? You’re just as fucked up as he is.” She shakes her head for a beat, then throws her hands out to Violet’s shoulders. “Wait a minute. Are you safe? Blink twice if you need me to get you out of this…” Violet bites her lower lip to stifle her smile, and my own smile grows. “Go on, you can do it. I believe in you… Please blink twice.” Violet laughs and shakes her head.

“It’s never going to happen, Pear.” I say, giving Violet a wink.

“Ugh, fiiinee. You fuckers can go on doing whatever fucked up kinky shit it is you do. Just don’t involve me in your depravity.” Pru turns back to me, leaning over the counter. “Anyway, I’m here because I need you to talk to Cal. Hey! Speak of my devil!” Cal walks through the forge entrance and leans against the wall next to me. “Cal wants to set me up with some gross adult custody agreement. Can you tell him that’s not going to happen?” She waves her finger over Cal’s body while keeping her eyes on me.

“It’s not a custody agreement; it’s a guardianship in case I die.” Cal corrects her.

“Same-same. Either way, if you die, I have to go to some guy. Tell him it is not happening. That if anything happens to him, you will take care of me.” Pru crosses her arms over her chest.

“I will take care of you. But it’s still good, Pru. Our world isn’t exactly stable. Besides, every woman in the aristocracy has a guardian; do you really want the government picking one for you? It’s smart to have a guardian that you trust who will be in your corner.” She narrows her eyes at me.

“I didn’t recruit you to agree with him. Would you do that to Violet?”

“That’s exactly what I’m going to do. Today, when we go to arrange her paperwork.”

“What?!”

“Mhm, if something happens to me, Violet will go to Dean.” I wink at Violet. She shifts, the blush rising in her cheeks, her gaze flitting down as she tucks her hair behind her ear.

Violet is mine, and it might make my blood boil that there’s something between her and Dean. But I also have my fair share of kinks, and I’d be lying if I didn’t enjoy claiming her in front of the fucker.