‘Close the door, come inside, sit down and we can talk about it. I promise, it’s really not that bad.’

Like I’d believe that. My shoulders slumped. So you can never escape your past after all. Fine. I’d listen to what he had to say then I’d take Bob and make whatever wishes were necessary to get myself and my adopted family out of this mess. Sod the consequences. Byron Moncrieffe might think he was holding all the cards but he didn’t know everything.

I crossed my arms and stalked over to the sofa. I pushed myself into the far corner. The stupid hot pink dress immediately rode up my legs. I pulled down the hem and crossed my arms again. ‘Speak then.’

‘I did tell you,’ Byron said, ‘that I preferred it when I was in charge.’ Rather than joining me, he ambled over to the fridge and reached inside for a bottle of water. ‘Would you like a drink?’

‘No,’ I replied stiffly.

‘Not even pink champagne?’ His amusement was clear.

‘Piss off.’ Oh, what a brilliant rejoinder that was.

‘Not just yet. Candy, if you’d be so kind…?’

‘Sure, boss.’ The huge Wild Man lumbered out, closing the door behind him.

Byron smiled. ‘Alone again.’

I felt sick. This could not be happening. ‘Spit it out,’ I snapped. ‘What do you really want?’

‘You know, you were far more pleasant to talk to last night.’

‘Last night I didn’t know that you were a scheming manipulative wanker who enjoys playing with innocent people’s lives.’

His eyebrows shot up. ‘Innocent? Is that what’d you call a group of thieves who between them are responsible for some of the biggest heists this century has seen?’

‘It’s 2016,’ I said flatly. ‘That’s hardly much of a feat. And besides, you know exactly what I mean.’

He grabbed a chair, pulled it over and placed it in front of me before sitting down. ‘You were quite prepared to steal from me when you thought I was innocent.’ He ran his tongue across his lips. ‘I can still taste you.’

Oh God. I hugged myself. ‘Either tell me what it is you really want or I’m walking.’

‘Tough words.’

I stared at him. He sighed, his amusement fleeing. ‘It’s not as sinister as you imagine. All you need to do is open a box.’

‘Really?’ I sneered. ‘All the might of the Sidhe world behind you and that’s something you can’t manage on your own? They didn’t cover box opening in Fey finishing school?’

He took a long swig of his water. ‘It’s a very special box.’

For a brief moment, a saucy sexual innuendo was on the tip of my tongue. I bit down very hard. No way was I going there. Not again. ‘Go on,’ I said grimly.