Share

CHAPTER 88 — The Petition

Author: Leigh Frankie
last update publish date: 2026-09-30 12:17:08

“The man at the store did not work for Ruthven.”

Irene looked up from her coffee.

Dorian had come into Ares’s study carrying a folder. He set it on the desk and stayed standing.

Ares looked over the papers in front of him. “You’re certain?”

“Yes.”

Irene put her cup down. “He said Ruthven sent his regards.”

“Well, he lied.”

Dorian opened the folder and slid a photograph across the desk.

Irene recognized the watcher immediately. Same dark hair, same expression.

“His name is Silas Crewe,” Dorian s
Continue to read this book for free
Scan code to download App
Locked Chapter

Latest chapter

  • I Signed a Marriage Contract, Not a Love Triangle   CHAPTER 117 — Stay Curious

    Belle burst out laughing.Irene stared at the girl. “Excuse me?”“I mean physically,” she said, apparently seeing nothing wrong with the question. “Vampires are supposed to be way stronger than humans, right?”“Oh my God,” another girl cut in. “I’ve wondered about that too.”Irene set the water pitcher down. “I’m really not having this conversation.”“Does he bite you?”“I said I’m not having this conversation.”“Not even when you kiss?”Irene looked at Belle, who had both hands over her mouth now, which was completely useless because Irene could still hear her laughing.Another friend leaned across the table. “Does he sleep during the day?”“Yes. I think so. I’m not really sure.”That was the truth. Irene usually left the estate in the morning, and she had no idea what Ares did once she was gone. For all she knew, he went straight to bed. Or stayed awake doing whatever vampire lords did all day. She’d never actually asked.Then, suddenly, she remembered Ares had told her once that va

  • I Signed a Marriage Contract, Not a Love Triangle   CHAPTER 116 —Vampire Groupies

    “That's my sister over there. Irene!”Irene looked up from the espresso machine and immediately saw Belle was standing near the entrance with three young women Irene had never seen before. All three were looking directly at her, and one of them was already smiling and waving.It was another afternoon at the café, and Irene had been enjoying a relatively quiet shift until Belle decided to bring an audience.“Can you come here for a second?” Belle called.“I'm working.”“I know. Just for a minute.”Blythe, who was wiping down the counter beside her, glanced toward the entrance.“Wow. Belle finally lets her friends know you exist.” She took the milk pitcher from her. “Go. I’ve got this.”Irene reluctantly made her way toward the group.Belle immediately hooked an arm around hers.“Guys, this is Irene. My sister.”The three women greeted her with considerably more enthusiasm.“OMG! It's so nice to finally meet you!”“Belle's told us so much about you.”“You're even prettier in person.”Ir

  • I Signed a Marriage Contract, Not a Love Triangle   CHAPTER 115 — Back To Work

    “Are you sure you want to do this?”Irene looked at Dorian, who had asked her the same question twice since they left the estate.“Yes. And I'm starting to think you're hoping I'll change my mind.”“I wouldn't object if you did.”“Well, sorry to disappoint you.”Dorian glanced out the tinted window at the convenience store across the street.They had been parked there for almost five minutes. Irene was sitting in the back of a large black SUV with Dorian beside her, while four security personnel occupied the front and middle seats. Two more vehicles had accompanied them from the estate, which seemed excessive for someone whose biggest responsibility tonight was checking expiration dates on sandwiches.Then again, the last time she'd worked here, a vampire had walked in and called her livestock.So perhaps Ares had a point.“I understand wanting some normalcy after everything that's happened,” Dorian said. “But Lord Valcieri has made it clear that you don't need to work. Any financial

  • I Signed a Marriage Contract, Not a Love Triangle   CHAPTER 114 — Robbery Gone Wrong

    “You look better than I thought you would.”Irene looked up from the menu. “Thanks. You look exactly how I thought you would.”Blythe pulled out the chair across from her and sat down.They were at their old burger place, the one they used to visit whenever they had a little extra money after payday. The last time they'd eaten here was sometime last year, when Blythe had gotten a small bonus and insisted on buying Irene dinner.The place hadn't changed much. Same red booths, same slightly sticky tables, and the same menu with pictures of burgers that never looked quite that good when they arrived.Irene had missed it.Blythe set her bag beside her chair and studied Irene for a moment.“Can I hug you first?”Irene put the menu down, and Blythe came around the table and hugged her tightly enough that Irene had to shift in her seat.“Jesus, Irene,” she whispered. “I was so worried about you.”Irene wrapped her arms around her friend. “I'm sorry.”Blythe held her for another moment before

  • I Signed a Marriage Contract, Not a Love Triangle   CHAPTER 113 — The Other Interesting Thing

    “I want to go alone. If that’s okay…”Ares looked up from across the breakfast table.“I need to talk to them without you sitting there looking like Lord Valcieri.”He smiled, but he let it go. A car would take her, security would stay outside the facility, and Irene decided those were reasonable enough compromises.By early afternoon, she was walking through the treatment center toward the visitor garden behind the main building.Amanda was already waiting, and the moment she saw Irene, she stood quickly.“Irene.”She crossed the garden and pulled Irene into a hug. And for several seconds, she simply held on. Then she pulled back and looked Irene over, touching her face and her arms, checking whatever she could see.“Are you hurt? I saw your building on the news, Irene. There was blood everywhere. They kept saying people were dead, and then I couldn’t get hold of you.”“I know. I left my phone behind when I got out.”“You could’ve called from someone else’s.” Amanda pressed her lips

  • I Signed a Marriage Contract, Not a Love Triangle   CHAPTER 112 — Her Own Place

    “You look alive again.”Ares looked up from his glass. “That is an interesting compliment.”Irene stopped beside the breakfast table and took a proper look at him.Yesterday, he had looked like somebody had drained most of the color out of him. This morning his hair was silver again instead of nearly white, his skin had returned to its usual pale shade, and there was color in his lips. His eyes were normal too, still unnaturally light, but no longer that cold, washed-out blue from yesterday.“Okay,” she said. “You look undead again.”He smiled briefly. “Thank you.”The glass in front of him held something dark red.Irene nodded toward the glass. “So you fed last night?”“I did. You were very bossy about it.”“You needed bossing.”Ares’s mouth curved. “I’m beginning to think that may be one of my weaknesses.”Irene pulled out the chair across from him. “Being told what to do?”“By you.”Irene sat across from him and gave him a look.Breakfast was already waiting for her, and there was

More Chapters
Explore and read good novels for free
Free access to a vast number of good novels on GoodNovel app. Download the books you like and read anywhere & anytime.
Read books for free on the app
SCAN CODE TO READ ON APP
DMCA.com Protection Status