Page 39 of Another Man’s Treasure

I sigh, swirling the dregs of my martini in the glass as I consider how to tactfully rebuff him again. Looking up, I force what I hope is an understanding smile. “I’m taken, Saint. I can’t go upstairs with you and betray Wilder.”

He scoffs. “Were you serious about that?”

It occurs to me that he might even be trying to tempt me to fuck up this deal, and I won’t give him that satisfaction. Not with Wilder’s ranch and my twenty grand on the line. I can almost taste my spa as long as I don’t screw this up.

“I respect him so much,” I say. “He’s kind and sexy and reliable.”

Saint’s nostrils flare. “Reliable. I’d die if you ever described me that way.”

I never would. Nothing about Saint was ever reliable. At least, not for me.

“If we’re not gonna fuck, then I’m leaving,” he snaps, resting both palms on the white cotton tablecloth. “This is your last chance to have this, Oz.”

Gross.

“Have a wonderful night.” I stand and flare my wings slightly. “And thank you for dinner and helping us raise so much money for the wildlife fund. That was very generous of you.”

He growls, baring both fangs at me as his brows pinch together in an unhappy-looking vee.

Refusing to gloat over what feels like a victory, I spin on my heel and head for the door. The wraith hotel’s main ballroom is stunning—all dark marble and midcentury human fixtures—but give me the Whiskey Business’ wooden walls any day. Once I’m outside in the dark stone courtyard, I flare my wings wide and take to the sky. Yet as I fly, worry builds within me.

We can’t piss Saint Ashbourne off too much. What if he fucks Wilder’s ranch deal out of sheer pettiness? I wouldn’t put it past him.

By the time I get back to Wilder’s cottage, I’m fretting over the entire thing, debating if I should go back and talk to Saint about it to ensure our past doesn’t affect Wilder’s future. But I can’t imagine any good outcome of that conversation unless I end up in Saint’s bed…something I’m not willing to do for any amount of money.

Whiskey Business flutters her shutters at me as I glide over Main Street. A couple monsters look up and wave. I love this place so much, and I swear to the gods, I’ll never mate unless I find someone who loves it as much as I do.

I’m still mulling that over as I drop out of the sky in front of Wilder’s rental.

He’s at the door as I land at the base of the cottage steps, stalking down into the yard with a concerned look, scanning my face. “What’s wrong? Did he hurt you?”

Ginger follows him down the steps with crumbs stuck to her lips, ears up as she gives me the once-over.

I shake my head, nipping at the edge of my thumb. “No, no, he didn’t. He tried to get me to come up to his room, but I declined, of course, because some part of me wondered if it was all a test. Then, on the way home, I got to thinking, what if we piss him off so badly, he torches this whole deal, and it gets fucked up for you?” I look up at him. “And for me.”

I can’t read Wilder’s expression. The way his jaw’s grit tightly. Is he…mad? Oh fuck, now I’ve pissed them both off in the same night.

He spins on his heel and stalks back inside, disappearing without a word. Rushing after him, I call his name. “Wilder, Wilder, stop! What are you doing? It’s gonna be fine. I’m sure I’m just overthinking it!”

He grabs the communication disk from its holder on the wall and tosses it on the kitchen table. Ignoring me, he directs it to call Emmer Sandoval. I hover by the door, biting the edge of my thumb as a big, handsome minotaur comes into view. He stares at Wilder, who’s standing with both hands on his hips, looking like he’s about to rip someone’s head off.

“Wilder Lane, good to see you,” the other male says evenly. “To what do I owe this⁠—”

“I want another rep to manage the final details of the sale,” Wilder barks. “Saint Ashbourne is unacceptable to me.”

The minotaur chuckles. “He’s tough, but that’s what we wanted to ensure every detail is fully fleshed out. You know how important it is to Father that the ranch goes to the right monster.”

“It’s not the deal details I’m worried about,” Wilder says in that deep baritone. “He’s made sexual advances on my mate twice just this evening, and I find it incredibly unprofessional. If I’m honest with you, I’d love nothing better than to rip his head from his body, and the only reason I haven’t is because he represents your family in this sale.”

The minotaur scowls. “He what? Are you serious?”

“As a heart attack,” Wilder says. “This deal is important to us both, and we’re down to the final details. I’m not trying to cause drama. I’m grateful to your family for the opportunity for Oz and me to carry on your incredible legacy, but I will not stand by while this asshole invites my mate to his room.”

Emmer frowns. “I’m sorry to virtually meet you for the first time like this… I’ll take care of it immediately. Please apologize to your mate for us and don’t worry about the deal. Just continue on as planned, and I’ll have the agency send another rep as soon as we can find one.”

“Appreciate that,” Wilder says.

The other male clicks off, his life-sized hologram disappearing from view.