Chapter Eight

“I can’t believe we stayed in my rat hole when you had a penthouse on Park Avenue.” She stared out at the expanse of Central Park through the huge windows of Paran’s apartment. Her apartment.

“I told you the reasons for that. But now that we are bonded, I can move you out today, with witnesses. If something happens there, it can’t be traced back to you.”

“Poor Mrs. Weinstein. She’s the only person I’ll miss. She was always so nice to me, and she’s all alone in the world with no one but her cat.”

“Funny you should mention that. Didn’t you read the newspaper this morning?”

She moved back slightly as a newspaper floated in front of her. There was a photo of Mrs. Weinstein with a big check in her hand. “She won the lottery?”

“Yes, amazing, isn’t it? And she’s looking at an apartment in this very building. Imagine how surprised she’s going to be when she hears you live upstairs with your new husband.”

She ran across the room, throwing her arms around him and showering his face with kisses. “Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.”

“Thank Aliya. It was her first case as a Djinni, to make the woman’s life better.”

She dropped her arms. “What?”

“Yes, she arranged it, all of it.” He kissed her gently. “I think she did a splendid job. She knew you’d be worried about your neighbor, and she wanted her to stay close to you.”

The icicles around Moreen’s heart instantly melted. “I can’t believe she did all that.”

“I told you, she’s not the person she used to be.”

“You’re right. I need to thank her.”

“Nothing would make me prouder, my beautiful wife.” He cupped her face and caressed her cheek. She leaned into his touch.

Returning to the bed, they both laid down, snuggled in each other’s arms

“You knew all along that we would bond?”

“No, not until the first time I was inside you. I knew then. You felt it, too.”

“I thought it was just good sex, but since I haven’t had that much good sex, I wasn’t sure.”

Deep laughter filled the room. “I’m going to have to change that. Think of a fantasy, something you’ve always dreamed of doing, but never thought was possible.”

She closed her eyes and moaned, opening them quickly when his laughter erupted again. “That will be a switch, but I’m willing to give it a try. But first, we have something we need to take care of.”

“What’s that?”

“Justin, the young man who thieved Aliya’s wallet. He needs to be brought to heel.”

She pushed away from him. “No. That’s why I returned it, so he wouldn’t get in trouble.”

“Moreen, you can’t let him get away with it. He’ll think he can do anything he wants. He needs to learn there are consequences. You know it as well as I do.”

“Then let me talk to him.”

“No. I will talk to him, as will Matuse. You will be there, yes, but he will return the wallet of his own free will, or face charges.”

“I’ve already returned it.”

“Not to him. When we go to the center today, he will think the theft just happened.”

Rising from the bed, she started to pace, her feet shuffling on the thick carpet. “It’s not fair to him, when I already took care of it.”

“I appreciate your concern for him, but you know that he needs to learn this now, before his thefts escalate. If this can change him, it has to happen.” He came up behind her, caressing her shoulder. “You know I’m right.”

“Yes, I know. I just remember the horrible feeling of getting caught, of being in trouble.”

“Then you know why we have to do it. Better he is caught by us than the police.”

“You’re right, of course. But he’s going to be angry.”

“You let Matuse and I deal with him. Nothing good comes from cutting corners, Moreen. He has to be taught a lesson, not be bailed out.”

She nodded, her fantastic mood gone. Of course she knew Paran was right. Justin couldn’t get away with a slap on the wrist. He would think he could do things like that all the time and never have to pay the price.

“We’ll be there around four,” he said softly, kissing her neck. “Then you and I can go to your apartment and get anything you might want.”

“Just the lamp and my clothes. I’d be thrilled if I never stepped foot in there again.”

“Your wish is my command. We won’t go there. This is your home now, and it’s fully protected against Paschel, I promise you that.”

* * * *

As the afternoon drew closer, it was harder for Moreen to concentrate on work. She thought about the upcoming confrontation with Justin, how he would react, and how frightened he would be when two large men approached him, angry about the theft of Aliya’s wallet.

Despite her misgivings, her body still tingled from the bonding ceremony last night, from hearing Paran tell her that he loved her, and would always care for her. Other than the Justin situation, she’d been very happy all day, laughing and telling jokes to the point where people who saw her at the center all the time were staring at her, their confusion evident.

When Bruce approached her, she smiled sheepishly.

“Give.”

She sighed. “Well, there’s not much to tell, really…”

“Moreen and I are married.” Paran stepped up behind her and pulled her to him for a huge kiss. “We eloped last night.”

“Not much to tell huh?” Bruce erupted into laughter, tugging Moreen in for a bear hug. “I’m so happy for you. For both of you.” He shook Paran’s hand.

“I’m thrilled,” Paran said. “I’m not sure about my wife, though.”

She slapped at him playfully, groaning when he claimed her lips for another deep kiss.

“You will let us have a party for you, right? To celebrate?”

“Absolutely,” Paran said. “A huge party. Lots of food and balloons. And a big cake.”

“We’ll set it up for next week,” Bruce offered. “That way Shelia, my wife, will have time to plan. She loves to throw parties. I’m going to run and call her now.”

Bruce hurried to the office and Moreen turned a grin on Paran. “You’ve made his day. There’s nothing Bruce likes more than good news.”

Her smile disappeared when Matuse and Aliya appeared beside them. Matuse nodded at Paran and they turned toward the area where Justin stood. Moreen touched Paran’s arm, and when he looked at her, she saw his determination.

“Don’t interfere. Stay right here.”

“He’s just a kid. Please go easy on him.”

Paran shook his head, then took off after Justin, who had noticed them watching him and was now headed toward the exit. Matuse caught him by the arm and led him into a small room while Paran followed.

They shut the door and Aliya put a gentle hand on Moreen’s arm. “They’re not going to hurt him, you know. They’re just going to let him know the consequences of his actions, especially if he does it to someone else, who might call the police.”

Moreen nodded, looking into Aliya’s eyes, knowing she had things to say to the other woman, but not being able to think of anything but what was happening behind the closed door.

After a few long, agonizing minutes, she shook her head and took off toward the room, breaking into a slow trot.

“Moreen!” Aliya’s voice sounded sharp. “Don’t!”

She pushed open the door to find Justin standing in between the Djinn, fear written on his face. He had Aliya’s wallet in his hands, which he proceeded to give to Matuse, who snatched it and glared at the young man.

“Too bad there’s no such thing as public stocks anymore,” Matuse said. “I’d see you got more than a few hours there.”

“Should we call the police?” Paran glared at the young man, and then looked at Matuse.

“No!” Moreen stepped forward. “Leave him be.”

Both Djinn turned toward her in disbelief. Justin took advantage of their shock to run, darting past her and out the front door.

“He’ll probably never come back now,” she said. “What good would that do? Now he’ll just stay on the streets and turn to more crime.”

“He’ll be back,” Matuse replied. He stepped around her and left.

Paran shook his head. “Did I not tell you to stay out there, to let us handle this?”

“So, by obey you mean that I can’t make a move on my own anymore? I’m sorry, but I felt bad for him. I just wanted him to know he was going to be fine.”

“Did you think I would hit him?”

“No.”

“Then what? I told you we were just going to talk to him.”

“I’m sorry. I just—”

“Have trust issues, I understand. But I’m your mate, your husband. You have to trust me now.”

“I can’t just turn it off.” She wrapped her arms around her chest, then sighed when he pulled her close to him.

“I know. Please, little one, try harder next time.”

“I will, I promise.”

“Good.” He kissed her.

When they went back in the other room, Bruce appeared. “Sheila’s over the moon with this. She was already talking themes and types of food when I hung up. She’s coming by tomorrow to discuss things with you, Moreen.”

“Great.” She pasted on a smile. She loved Sheila, who was like a mother hen to everyone she met. But a nagging doubt bit at the back of her mind. It should be her mother doing this. She needed to let them know her situation had changed.

For years she’d thought they didn’t care, but now, knowing they had paid for her rehab, maybe she was wrong. Maybe she should try and call them.

She pushed the idea away before it could take root. Better to just stay with what she had rather than press her luck and ruin everything.