Inferno by Adriana Noir Read Free Book Online Page A

partner’s solid silhouette to the twilight painted hues blanketing the grounds. Perhaps Josh was right. A few more days wouldn’t hurt anything. For the moment at least, Taylor was safe, tucked behind a sanctuary of electric gates and guarded walls.
    Shifting his attention back to his partner, he tented his fingers beneath his chin and nodded. “Keep me updated.”
    “I will, Baas.” Josh hesitated then added, “I’m glad Taylor is okay.”
    His shoulders jerked with wry humor. “As am I. We wouldn’t be having this discussion if she wasn’t.”
    They both frowned in confusion at the sound of soft footfalls outside the door. A light knock drew his attention and Sebastian lifted his stare as the ornate wooden barrier inched open. Josh swiveled in his chair, his gaze raking over Taylor as she offered them a hesitant smile. His face twisted with sympathy.
    “Hey, kiddo. How ya doing?”
    Her fingers curled around the doorframe for support, but Taylor brightened a little with her smile. “Hi, Josh. I’m okay. How have you been?”
    “He’s fine. Why aren’t you in bed?” Sebastian asked, levering to his feet. “You’re supposed to be resting.”
    “I’m hungry,” she admitted with a sheepish wince.
    “Okay. I’ll order something in a minute, baby. Go lie back down.”
    Taylor made no effort to mask her pout. “Would it hurry you along any if I told you I was lonely too?”
    Josh chuckled quietly and rose to his feet. “That’s my cue to get the hell out of here.” He clapped Sebastian on the shoulder. “Take good care of her, Baas, and think about what I said.”
    Hauling his partner in, he thumped his back in a brief show of appreciation. Josh crossed the room and flashed a wink in Taylor’s direction.
    “Later, kid. Get better and keep Sebastian outta trouble.”
    “I’ll try but you know how he is,” she said with a quiet laugh. “Give Monique and Aiden our love.”
    “I will. I’ll show myself out.”
    “Don’t let the door hit you,” Sebastian muttered.
    Some of his bitterness faded as he found himself staring into the silver pools of Taylor’s eyes. As sappy as it sounded, he could lose himself inside of them for hours. Maybe even days. Relaxing some, he forced a smile and brushed her cheek, hating the small cuts and bruises mottling her precious skin.
    “Stubborn little minx,” he mused before leaning in to kiss the tip of her nose. “You’re so lucky I love you. What do you want to eat?”
    Taylor tapped her lip in thought for a second before swinging her wide eyes up to his. “Chinese? I would do unspeakable things for some General’s chicken and vegetable fried rice right now.”
    Laughing, he palmed the back of her head. “I’m going to remember you said that,” he warned. “I’ll place the order. You go get comfortable on the couch and pick out a movie or something. You need to rest.”
    “Yes, Sebastian.”
    She started to back toward the corridor and faltered. Casting her attention to the floor, she wrung her hands, a surefire sign she had something else on her mind. Saying nothing, Sebastian lifted an inquisitive brow.
    “I was just wondering…I saw Rupert waiting to speak with you in the living room.”
    “I had a few things I wanted to discuss with him, yes.”
    “Should we order him something too?”
    He tamped down an irrational stab of jealousy. It didn’t matter that she’d been spending more time with the guard lately than him due to his hectic work schedule. Taylor wasn’t that kind of girl. She was just trying to do what she did best. She was being sweet and looking after the people around her. Pinching the bridge of his nose, he shot her a look of suffering.
    “He’s not a pet, Taylor,” he stated dryly.
    The high ridges of her cheeks flamed at the implication. “I know that, but he’s off duty and security or not, Seb, the man still has to eat.”
    He sighed. “I suppose you’re right. I’ll get his order too, but he is not joining us