Lustful Cravings (The Seven Sin Sisters) by Paloma Beck

and pulled Layla’s chair out, extending his hand to walk her out.
    “Good night . It was good to meet each of you ,” Layla extended the courtesy quietly as she followed Madden from the room. Anton was silent behind them as together they walked out the front door and made their wa y across the courtyard in the direction of their home.

 
     
     
    Chapter Five
     
     
    “Are you all right?” Layla broke the silence.
    Without turning his attention from the direction they were headed, Madden kissed her palm before placing it into Anton’s hand. “Anton, help Layla to bed. I need to sp end some time in my office.”
    “No. We need to talk.” Layla cringed at the demand in her voice. She didn’t mean to be so uptight but e verything was moving so fast. Now, Madden, the man she thought to be her rock, was pulling away. Confusion swirled around her. Overwhelmed more than ever, and still not understanding most of what they discussed a t dinner, she looked up at Madden and softened her voice . “ P lease.”
    He stopped to face her then , eyes still vacant, but his finger gently swiped at the single tear trailing down her cheek. “Later. We will talk later.” She felt his words more than heard them, nearly an inner dialogue, and was shocked into silent obedience as she watched his stride eat up the distance towards the building across the courtyard.
    Not looking away, Layla called to Anton who was just beside her . “Anton?”
    “Let me take you up to your room . ” Anton’s voice was gentle and soft, soothing the tension from Layla as she struggled to grasp this new reality. She’d not seen Madden angry and it terrified her. His emotions radiated through their bond.
    “I don’t understand, Anton.”
    “There is so much for which Madden feels responsible. He feels even m ore responsibility now that he has you in his life . Once he puts all safeguards into place, I am certain he will relax.”
    “I hope.” She remained staring at Madden as he stomped toward the building that held his office. She’d not been to the building yet , but Anton had pointed it out earlier in the day. She knew about a dozen others worked there , and they did private security consulting for the government , but this is all Anton had told her. The discussion over dinner began to paint more dangerous tones to Madden’s life, and therefore to her own. She was certain of nothing in this mome nt.
    “ You may hope but this I know . Madden needs to protect you ,” Anton countered as he led her through their front door. It was still hard for Layla to call this home her own, as different as it was from her own country cottage-style house she had shared with her sisters.
    “Let me show you something I took care of this evening before I joined you at dinner,” Anton coaxed her down the hall towards a large doorway she hadn’t noticed on her first tour through this enormous house . “Go ahead, little one . Open the door.”
    Layla moved forward and pushed the door gently inward. Her gasp urged a smile onto Anton’s usual ly stoic face. “So you are pleased?” he asked as he stood back just out of her reach and waited.
    Layla was more than pleased. As she circled, she saw every book from her home librar y , her office, here in this room. Needing touch to make it reality, Layla stroked her hand along several of her favorite books and found he r way to the window seat delicately trimmed with a beautiful fabric pillow so similar to her own home. Everything in this room was perfect. This room felt like a piece of her was now home.
    “You did this for me?” Layla continued to look around as she spoke to Anton.
    “I wanted you to feel settled. Madden mentioned your library was quite dear to you , so with a little help from your sisters, I was able to get it taken care of quickly.”
    Layla laughed . “I ’ m sure they were more than happy to help.” Anton joined in her amusement , his butterscotch eyes flaring to life as he shared the