The Last of the Monsters (19 page)

“I might, if I actually knew what was going on. All Michael said was that Henry was planning something big and that he might not think to warn you of that fact.”

“That’s true, all he did was ask me out to dinner. I’ll probably be way overdressed—he’ll take me to some place he thinks is safe.”

“You should be plenty safe. You’ll have your bodyguards.”

“A lovely romantic dinner between two people who are in a mostly secret relationship, surrounded by their bodyguards.”

Jane chuckled as she finished pinning the braid into place. Akta twisted her head to look at her hair.

“How does that feel?”

“It’s great. Thank you.” Akta spun in her vanity chair. “So tell me, how are you feeling?”

Jane touched her belly. “Good. The morning sickness isn’t anything to write home about, but I’m feeling good. Happy.”

“Are you…are you scared?”

“To be a mom? Of course. About carrying a baby that might not be human? Yes.”

“If this doesn’t work, if the movie just starts some mass riot against the monsters…”

“Michael and I have a plan. Right now we have to do what’s best for the baby, and that might mean leaving all of you.” Jane took Akta’s hands in hers. “Being afraid can’t fix anything.”

Akta nodded. “I know, but I just can’t help thinking that this is all going too well.”

“The hard parts will come. Despite all the interviews, people still think it’s a stunt. No one really believes yet.”

Henry and Runako had given interviews to a major entertainment news program. The interviews, given entirely in their true forms, aired today. The more they appeared as monsters, the more chatter there was about them and the movie.

“I love Henry,” Akta blurted out.

Jane touched her arm. “I know. He loves you too.”

Akta shrugged. She hadn’t told Henry she loved him because she knew he wouldn’t say it back to her. He just wasn’t that kind of guy—and yet she didn’t doubt he cared for her. It seemed silly to want the words when his actions spoke so clearly.

Akta stood and held out her arms. “How do I look?”

“Lovely.”

She was wearing a pale pink dress that highlighted her dark coloring. She’d bought it for a film festival that she hadn’t ended up attending. It wasn’t really red-carpet-worthy, but it was certainly movie-star-goes-out-to-dinner-worthy.
 

The doorbell rang. “Do you want me to get it?” Jane asked.

“Would you?”

Jane laughed. “Of course.”

Akta grabbed the jeweled clutch and gray silk shrug she’d selected to go with the dress and carried them to the living room while Jane went to answer the door.

She positioned herself in the living room, as nervous as if this was a first date—which, in a way, it was.

Henry entered. He looked classically handsome in a stark black suit with a white shirt and black tie. He stopped, staring at her.

“You look… You’re beautiful.”

“Thank you. I can change if this is too much.”

“No, you’re perfect. These are for you.” He held out the flowers he carried. They were tiger lilies—black and orange with hints of yellow and red. “They reminded me of you.”

She set down her purse and took the flowers, swallowing past the lump in her throat. “Thank you. They’re beautiful.”

“I, uh, could get you roses instead, if you’d prefer.”

Normally Akta loved roses, but at that moment she realized she wasn’t meant for roses—she was meant for tiger lilies. “These are perfect.”

“Shall we?” Henry asked.

Akta passed the flowers to Jane, who was standing off to the side, fingers pressed to her lips. Akta smiled at her friend as she picked up her purse.

“Allow me,” Henry said, taking her shrug and placing it around her shoulders.

Akta felt like she’d fallen down the rabbit hole and into one of the classic Hollywood movies she loved. Any minute now, a dance number would start.

“Have fun,”
Jane mouthed as they headed out the door.

Alex, as well as Akta’s bodyguard, Christian, were waiting outside. Henry escorted her to the back of a black town car she’d never seen before. “Did you rent a car?”

“Yes.”

The bodyguards climbed into the front seat.

Henry’s hand rested on the bench seat between them. Akta lay her fingers over his and he twisted his hand, lacing their fingers together.

“Thank you, Henry.”

“We haven’t even been to dinner yet.”

“I know, but still, thank you. This means a lot to me, that you went to all this trouble.”

Henry’s lips pressed together. “I should have done it sooner.” He sighed. “I don’t think I’m particularly good at this romance stuff.”

“That’s okay.” Akta raised one brow. Detangling their hands, she placed hers high on his thigh, her fingers brushing the bulge of his cock. “You have other skills.”

Henry’s face darkened. “You know, we could just go to the condo.”

Akta pulled her hand away and sat primly in her seat. “Absolutely not. I was promised a romantic date.”

Henry eyed her, then sighed. “I’m going to do very dirty things to you later,” he muttered darkly.

Akta pressed her lips together to hide her smile. “I expect no less.”

Henry’s eyes narrowed. “Are you laughing?”

“No.”

“Because they’re going to be really dirty—borderline criminal.”

“Promises, promises.”

The car pulled up outside a restaurant in Beverly Hills. Akta had eaten there once or twice before—it was world-renowned not only for the food, but for celebrity spotting.

Christian got out first and headed into the restaurant. A few minutes later, he returned and nodded to Alex. Christian opened Akta’s door. She took his hand as she climbed out, followed by Henry. The bodyguards hustled them into the covered entrance. The valet took the keys from Alex, then the guards flanked Akta and Henry as they made their way into the restaurant. The hostess took them directly to a table.

It was one of the restaurant’s famed booths, which had high walls and curtains that draped the upper edges of the booth and partially shielded the seats. But they were also raised above the level of the center of the room, providing a good vantage point for checking out the other patrons. Alex and Christian were seated at the table closest to their booth. The guards adjusted their chairs, positioning them so they could see everyone in the room. Akta saw Alex grab Christian’s hand and give it a squeeze.

Akta sighed in delight as she settled onto the luxurious leather seat. She looked around, taking in everything. She saw an older woman wearing lots of gold jewelry whom she thought she knew, but couldn’t remember the woman’s name. It didn’t matter, she didn’t want to network—she wanted to spend time with Henry.

A bottle of Prosecco was delivered to their table, and when glasses were poured, Henry raised his in a toast.

“To you. Thank you.”

Akta held back from the clink. “Thank me? For what.”

“You never gave up on me when you had every reason to. You are…you are my everything.” Henry swallowed. “I love you.”

“Henry…” Akta set her glass down and reached for his hand, “…I love you too.”

He breathed out and closed his eyes. “I’m sorry I was such an idiot. When I think of all the time we wasted…”

“That was pretty stupid, but I still love you.”

Henry leveled her with a wry stare. “Thanks.”

“You’re welcome.” She squeezed his hand, then stood slightly from her seat. Henry did the same, cupping her neck as he kissed her. She smiled against his lips.

When they sat back down, Akta picked up her glass and clinked it to his. A bright bubble of happiness was flaring to life in her belly. She took a sip, then laughed a little.

“What’s so funny?”

“Nothing, I’m just happy.”

Henry relaxed. “I like seeing you happy.”

“That’s because you love me.”

“True.”

“You looove me,” she teased, drawing out the
o
.

Henry sighed. “I knew I shouldn’t have told you.”

“Too late. You’re madly, passionately, hopelessly in love with me.”

“Can I take it back?”

“Nope.”

“I’m not going to become some…romantic.” He gestured around them.

Akta pressed her hands together and batted her lashes. “But you love me.”

Henry groaned, but there was a smile lurking in the corners of his mouth.

The server appeared and took their orders. When he left, Akta had no idea what she’d asked for, but it didn’t matter. At that moment, she had everything she could possibly want or need.

They talked and ate, teasing each other and laughing. They didn’t mention the movie or the danger. They ignored their bodyguards, who sat less than ten feet away. When dessert came—Akta said she was full and didn’t order, which was a lie, and she had plans to steal some of Henry’s chocolate chili cake, though he’d vowed not to let her have any—the smile faded from Henry’s face.

“Are you okay?” Akta asked.

“Yes. No.” Henry pushed the cake toward her, then motioned to the server. He brought over a fresh bottle—this time high-end champagne. Akta raised her brows as they were given fresh glasses and the cork was popped. When the server melted away, Henry handed her a glass.

“What’s this for?”

Henry took a deep breath, then blew it out. Akta sucked in a breath of her own. He was either about to break up with her or…

“Henry, you don’t have to do this.”

“I want to.”

“You look like you’re about to pass out.”

“I don’t want to mess this up.”

“You won’t.”

“You deserve perfect.”

“This night has already been perfect, because
you’re
perfect.”

Henry raised a brow. Akta grinned. “I mean, you’re perfect for me. You’d be terrible for some other girl. It’s probably safest that we just stick together.”

“I would literally rip the heart out of any man who touched you.”

“You’re taking this from romantic to gross.”

“It would still be beating in my hand as he dropped.”

“That’s…sweet?”

Henry grinned. “I warned you I was terrible at romance.”

Akta cleared her throat. “Well, you
were
a virgin.”

“Oh, that’s cold. That’s stone cold.”

Akta shrugged, trying to maintain a serious face. It was hard to do when she was this happy.

Henry squared his shoulders. “Are you done insulting me?”

“Only if you’re done talking about ripping out body parts.”

“Deal.”

They shared a smile, and Akta knew she could be happy with this man for the rest of her life.

Henry rose from his seat and came around to stand beside her. Akta swiveled her legs so she was facing him. Henry dropped to one knee.

Akta closed her eyes to savor the moment. When she opened them, Henry was looking at her, his face both serious and vulnerable.

“Akta Patel, I love you. I didn’t even know what love was before you. You make me happy, and I hope I make you happy.” He cleared his throat and Akta pressed her lips together as he reached into his pocket, pulling out a velvet ring box.

He opened it to reveal a beautiful antique setting with a single perfect diamond. “Will you marry me?”

“Yes.”

Akta threw herself into his arms. Henry stood, hugging her to him. Alex and Christian started to clap, which drew the attention of the other diners. They too started clapping when Henry released her long enough to pick up the fallen ring box and slide the engagement ring onto her finger.

Chapter Fourteen

The phone was ringing. Akta muttered something and pushed at Henry, who only grunted in reply. Resigned, Akta sat up, ignoring the handcuff that still dangled from one wrist, and grabbed her cell phone.

“’ello?”

“Henry proposed? Oh Akta, I’m so happy for you!”

“Lena?”

“Of course, who else would it be?”

“What time is it?”

“Seven. I just got out of my Pilates class and saw the news. I can’t believe you didn’t call me.”

“News. What news?”

“Your engagement. It’s all over the entertainment pages.”

“What?”

Sliding out of bed, Akta put on a robe and headed for her home office. A few clicks later and there it was, the perfect picture—Henry on one knee, Akta seated with her hands clasped together against her chest. The next photo showed both of them standing, Henry’s arms wrapped around her. The photos were a bit dark, but they were excellent resolution—too good to be cell phone pics.

“How did they get these?” Akta asked.

“What are you talking about?”

“These photos—who took them?”

“A paparazzo.”