Read Online Betrayed by Trust by Frankie Robertson - Free Book Online

convincing indignation and without hesitation. He didn’t want his father to know he’d let lust override caution. Or maybe that mind-blowing orgasm had obliterated the memory that our liaison had been without a rubber.
    I figured Conrad had gotten dressed by now, and I wasn’t going to hide in the bathroom until Altesse went to bed. I smoothed my hair, then walked barefoot into the living room with as much dignity as I could muster. My toes curled into the thick black carpet as both Conrad, now fully clothed, and his dad turned to me, their argument set aside for the moment.
    “Father, this is my friend, Mary Potter. Mary, my father, Lucius Altesse.”
    Altesse held himself in that way that men accustomed to power often do, with an unconscious assumption that everyone will acknowledge his superiority. Beside him, a huge white wolf sat staring at me with piercing blue eyes, his mouth slightly parted so I could see his very sharp looking teeth.
    Aldwyn. Was he smiling at me? Or contemplating dinner? “Nice pet.” I didn’t have to fake the nervous quaver in my voice. “Does he bite?”
    Altesse frowned slightly. “Not unless I tell him to, Miss Potter.”
    Was that a threat? I raised my gaze to meet Altesse’s. He looked like an older version of Conrad: tall and lean, the gray in his hair barely discernible among the blond. His dark blue three piece suit looked unrumpled despite what must have been a long trip. I pretended he hadn’t nearly caught me in the act of doing his son, and managed to respond politely. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, sir.”
    The older man’s brows rose almost imperceptibly and his gaze flicked for a split second to Aldwyn before returning to me. Maybe I should have acted more startled or afraid.
    Altesse smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “The pleasure is all mine, I am sure.”
    He was right about that.
    “I’ll take you home.” Conrad picked up his jacket from the back of the couch.
    “Oh no! You must not leave so soon, Miss Potter.” Conrad’s dad lifted a crystal decanter filled with amber liquid from the black lacquered sideboard and poured three glasses. “I would share a drink with you.”
    Being around Altesse felt like sharing the room with a cobra. I looked to Conrad for help, but his gaze had snapped to his father, his brows lifted in surprise.
    Altesse was already holding out a glass to me. Clearly he didn’t expect to be refused.
    I said the only thing I could, “Thank you,” and took the glass. As our fingers touched I felt a brief tingle, and out of the corner of my eye I saw his other hand moving in a subtle pattern.
    Conrad frowned. “Father—”
    Altesse had worked some kind of spell on me. The sensation was nothing like what Kalisa had done. It was more superficial, like an army of tiny bugs crawling quickly over my body before disappearing, but it was clearly magic of some sort. Should I pretend I didn’t notice? Most people didn’t know magic was real after all. But if I didn’t react, he might suspect I was hiding something. Which I was, of course.
    “What was that?” I stepped back, happy to put a bit more distance between us.
    “That wasn’t necessary.” Conrad’s tone was truculent.
    Whatever the spell was, Altesse relaxed, apparently satisfied with the outcome. He waved his hand in a light dismissive gesture. “Nothing to worry you, my dear. Static electricity, perhaps.” He lifted his glass for a sip. “Enjoy your port.”
    Aldwyn padded over to me, moving with muscular grace. I held my free hand out to him as if he were a normal canid and he sniffed it. Then, also like a dog, he shoved his black nose into my crotch, snuffling noisily. For a Spirit, he felt impressively solid and physical. I stepped away, coming up against the back of the sofa. Aldwyn followed, thrusting his long muzzle between my legs again. I didn’t feel quite bold enough to shove the wolf away.
    “Nice pet.”
    “Aldwyn!” Altesse spoke to the Elemental as