“Well, why isn't it like that?” He demands. “And while we're on the subject, you've been starving yourself for years. You’re wasting away. Every time I see you, you look more like a cornhusk than a demon of fucking.”
Callum opens his mouth, but his brother isn’t finished.
“What's up with that, anyway? Can't stand to get your dick wet because you're in love with your best friend?” Ciprian crosses his arms. While he's obviously still trying to rile Callum up, the concern in his eyes is now unmistakable.
“Dude.” Gideon laughs. “I fucking told you the family thinks we're fucking,”
Callum’s face turns red, and he opens his mouth. I just know there’s about to be more yelling, and I’ve reached my limit with that. Making a decision, I step between them, clearing my throat and putting one hand over the other in the universal time-outgesture. It actually works. I suspect the silence won’t last long, so I jump into the arena while I have their attention.
“Hi, my name is Sheena.” I shake Ciprian’s hand emphatically. “You must be Callum's brother—who I've only just learned exists.”
He returns my handshake, staring down at me with a twinkle in his eyes.
“Your brother and Gideon saved my life, and they are letting me stay here while I figure things out. I'm not really sorry that I pointed a gun at you, but I would appreciate it if you wouldn't mention meeting me. A lot of people want me dead.” I suck in a deep breath and eye Callum with concern. “I’m also interested in hearing more about why you think your brother is starving himself.”
By the time I finish my speech, I’m a little out of breath and a lot nervous. While I kept the details vague, I’m still taking a risk by trusting this man at all. My gut tells me it’s okay, though, and I’m a big believer in listening to what’s being said without words.
I just watched an intense argument, cluttered with insults and male posturing, but it was all bullshit. The brothers’ relationship may smell like a bucket of hot garbage, but it’s still a bucket they both care enough about to fight over.
Ciprian rocks back on his heels and cocks his head to the side as we assess each other. I refuse to flinch under his stare. Ten long seconds pass, then he gives me a nod so small I wonder if I've imagined it. A heartbeat later, he presses an extravagant kiss to my knuckles and dances out of Gideon’s reach. Blinking slowly, I pull back my hand. I’m pretty sure I just reached a silent understanding with a demon I held at gunpoint.
“It's a pleasure to meet you, Sheena,” he says. “I have a feeling we're going to be the best of friends, and I would never rat out a friend. Come sit with me. I’ll give you all the dirt on this dynamic duo.”
Since this doesn’t seem to be negotiable, I accept the cease-fire offer and follow him to the living room. At first, Callum hovers near us. Once it becomes clear his brother isn’t going to murder me or call their mom, he leaves the room. Ciprian is obviously a troublemaker, but I can’t deny his energy is infectious.
He explains that Callum often resists using his powers, which makes him physically weaker than he should be. That’s concerning, but I don't comment. When Ciprian asks about me, I give him the heavily redacted version of my story. He doesn't protest the obvious plot holes, which surprises me, but he does make me laugh almost constantly.
By the time he stands to leave, I’m actually sad to see him go.
He scribbles his number on a pad of paper and gives it to me. “Call me if things get out of hand,” Ciprian says. I fold the paper carefully, slipping it into my pocket, but commit to nothing.
He leaves without saying goodbye to the guys.
I head back into the kitchen to find Callum and Gideon making sandwiches. From the innocent looks on both their faces, it's obvious they've been eavesdropping. I lift myself onto a barstool and wait until they both look over at me.
“Callum, your brother loves you very much,” I declare with a grin. Gideon laughs, Callum groans, and before I know it, I'm squealing and dodging thrown chips.
I’m so glad they are home.
As we eat lunch together, I refuse to let the thought rattle me and enjoy a few moments of normalcy. I know it won’t last. It can’t. As soon as we finish here, we’ll have to have a serious talk.
After I’ve cleaned and dried the last plate and handed it to Callum to put away, I look up at them expectantly. My foot taps, and Gideon looks at his watch.
“Almost thirty-six minutes. You held back longer than I expected.”
I swat at him with the dishtowel, but he’s too fast for me and dodges easily. “You two are the worst.” I groan. “What happened? Did you find the traffickers?”
My bare foot stomps the kitchen tile, which does nothing but make me feel like a complete jackass. Callum grins down at me and calmly slides the plate in the cabinet, but it’s Gideon who finally starts talking and puts me out of my misery.
“Hmm, let's see, we drank some really gross beer. Cal convinced a bartender to give up the gang... Then things finally got interesting. I did surveillance as a rat, before decapitating as a lion.” His dimples disappear, and his face turns serious. “The enclave is interrogating the one we left alive now to see if he gives up his bosses.”
I blink a few times.
There’s a lot to unpack in that, but unfortunately, my brain is stuck on one part.
“How did you convince the bartender?” I ask, trying to look nonchalant.
I think I’m nailing it until I notice Gideon trying to hide his smile. Great. Now I sound jealous. I expect Callum to get mad about the question. After all, it’s none of my business. Instead, he just stares at me like a shark observes a seal.
