Read Online Charming (A Seven World Novel) by Dannika Dark - Free Book Online Page A

sipped her soda.
    “Oh, no he isn’t!” Nadia burst out, quickly turning to face Kat. “You’re very clever at talking people into things, but Prince is a high-ranking Packmaster in this territory, if not the highest. You could jeopardize his standing with the Council if he gets into trouble.”
    Kat set her can of soda on the floor and sat up. “Don’t you see? He’s the only one who can help. He knew our father, and he knows this guy. Papa didn’t have many close friends that I know about, and I get the feeling these two were tight.”
    “I won’t have it,” Nadia continued, standing up and pacing the floor. “This is where I draw the line.”
    Kat swung her legs onto the sofa and crossed them at the ankle. “No need to get your panties in a bunch. After tonight, he probably won’t come within a five-mile radius of me. I pulled a knife, shifted in a bar, ruined his suit… the usual.”
    “ Charming .”
    That roused a subtle smile on Kat’s face when she thought of how the word “charming” held a different meaning now. It was her pet name for Prince, and Kat was fond of nicknames.
    “So, how long have you two been seeing each other?”
    Nadia reached behind her curio and switched on the light so she could admire the figurines. Each one had its place, and Kat knew this because she’d once rearranged them to see if Nadia would notice.
    “This was our first date.”
    Kat grimaced. “Oops. I’m sorry. Hopefully I didn’t scare him off. I thought you two were a thing.”
    “We’ll see,” she replied with an air of confidence. “He has all the right qualifications, but I’m not sure if I’m ready to join a pack for any man, even a Packmaster.”
    Kat snorted. “You’d have to keep a whole lot of packmates in line.”
    Nadia ran her finger along the glass cabinet and checked it for dust. “His mansion seems quiet enough. I didn’t get the impression he leads a rambunctious pack.”
    “Mansion? Wow. He really is loaded. Sounds like a match made in heaven.”
    “Do you think I require a man’s money? I have my own.”
    Kat curled up on her right side, having heard this song and dance before. “You’re a hoarder, Nads. You make more money than most people I know, and all you do is buy pretty dresses and pricey cheese. And those figurines.”
    “Money is security.”
    Kat yawned, feeling the pull of sleep. “The only security in this world is family. Money comes and goes. You make such a big deal about it, but what’s it really done for you? I’m just as happy as you are.”
    Nadia crossed the room and lingered by the entrance to the hall that led to her bedroom. “Don’t pretend money holds no value when you earn a sizable income. Perhaps you should learn to hold on to it.”
    “Of course it’s important, but why not use it to help others? Anyhow, I’m saving up for a big house in the woods someday with a lot of land. Someplace private where I can hunt, fish, and let my wolf run all she wants without having to wake up naked in the parking lot of a Burger King. I haven’t figured out where I want to live yet, but if you want to know the truth, I don’t work for money. It comes with the job, but I love what I do. I sleep at night knowing that each asshole I lock up means one less person in the world will be hurt by them. Even if the higher authority quit offering rewards, I don’t know if I could stop.”
    Nadia drifted into the hall near the edge of the wall. “Would you like to borrow some panties?”
    “Negative. And I shouldn’t have to explain why,” Kat murmured against the couch pillow. God, how she hated this predicament of not having clothes or money. She preferred cash so no one could lift her wallet and discover her identity, and that wallet was sitting next to a bag of chocolate-covered almonds on her coffee table.
    Nadia switched off the hall light. “Well, good night. I’d bring you a blanket to cover up with, but you’ll just kick it onto the