The effects of cupid’s arrow should be wearing off soon. Especially when the cupid got it wrong and there was no real attraction to base anything upon. The man was anti-love. And Gigi had sworn off any man who failed to appreciate every aspect of her, even the occasional screw up.
Yeah. Any old minute the arrow’s effects should be dissipating. Still, she found her gaze dropping to his lips, recalling the kisses they had shared. They had been good. Hot even, on her personal scale. But just goes to show that two wrong people can bring the heat but not in any way be right for each other.
Although, passing the time kissing would be much more preferable than listening to Nico spout on endlessly about her planning and marketing skills. So sue her, his lips, that chest, all those muscles and for some unknowable reason, those darn bare feet of his, they made her want to explore other options with Nico than talking to pass the time.
Which made her a very bad person indeed. Here he was, trying to be true to his own personal code of conduct, being a gentleman even and not laying a finger on her, and Gigi found herself tempted to discover what would happen to his impressive self-control if she just leaned in and pressed her lips against his.
Thankfully, before she could make a complete idiot of herself, the heavy double doors burst open, the sneering security guard that had greeted them upon their arrival rushing in, followed by a pixie clean-up crew. Oh, thank Heavens, the cavalry had arrived to prevent Gigi from making a complete fool of herself.
***
Walking into the living area, fresh from the shower, dressed in a cream sweater and matching lounge pants, because she just couldn’t seem to get warm anymore, Gigi gave a brooding and glaring Nico - who was staring out at the gathering rain clouds above the ocean as if they were a personal affront to him - a slapup the side of the head. Swooping up the waiting glass of red wine and taking a seat on the lounge across from him, her back to the ocean view.
“Hey.”
“Snap out of it, Yanez. No, do not apologise again. You have nothing to apologise for.” That dark glare now directed Gigi’s way. She found herself smiling. “Let it go. Nothing happened. You said nothing untoward. Though if I ever need a business referee, I know who to ask.”
“If you hadn’t wielded my fly shut I would have stripped naked.”
“But I did. And you didn’t. We’ve been through this.” At least three times now. “You did a bit of light stalking, gave me the heated come hither look and waxed lyrical about what an awesome small business owner I am.”
“I just.” Nico couldn’t seem to let it go. “I hate being manipulated emotionally. You have no idea of how wrong that arrow felt. Forced love, it kind of makes my blood boil. Yes. Yes. I need to let it go. The thing of it is, being under the arrow’s influence, it reminded me what it felt like being with Kristiah.”
“How so?”
“She was very driven, and take charge. When we first met, I’d just turned twenty-one, she was older, beautiful, her interest in me was heady stuff. Looking back it’s hard to know whether she seduced me because she was bored or just wanted an inside edge with the family. I realise now that she was constantly pumping me for information on how my mother’s research into the wreck of the Maria Rosa was progressing. Or querying how much more time my father would be willing to devote to the search.”
“Just because she was using you doesn’t mean… oh.” Gigi smiled ruefully, she really couldn’t finish that sentence.
“Yeah, I don’t believe if you really love a guy that you would happily slaughter his closest friends and parents. I was useful toher, plain and simple, that’s why she strung me along for so long. Manipulating and distracting me with sex. Constantly seeking confirmation of my feelings. That I adored her. That I loved her.”
“You were very young, I think you need to cut yourself a break.”
“No. Because if I’d only stopped for one second to look behind the façade, to question why I was the one always declaring my feelings, never her, perhaps that final day would never have happened.”
“Good Goddess. It must be in the Yanez bloodline. I’ve never met a group of people more determined to wallow in pain and take on responsibility for a tragedy that was set in motion by the Gods themselves. Fate put your family in the crosshairs of Cum Hua, Ixchel and the rest of their buddies who make up this Cabal of idiots intent upon taking over the Earth.”
“You get feisty when you drink red wine.” Nico pointed out, the edges of his lips lifting in a wry smile. He couldn’t remember the last time someone had called him on his shit. It was refreshing. Not pleasant, but maybe something he needed in his life. Someone to point out when he was wallowing in the should haves.
“You’re welcome.” Damn, though she couldn’t blame Nico for his trust issues. After all, Kristiah had turned out to be a half hybrid Jaguar minion, working as an agent for nefarious Gods and an asshole human-sacrificing priest. A woman who’d killed his parents, his friends, and set in motion Matias’s decade long mental health issues, along with sending Copper time travelling, trapping her in the past.
Yeah, his ex really did have a lot to answer for.
But for Nico to still give Kristiah so much influence over his actions and potential happiness, that he intended to avoid even a hint of love in his life, that was wrong in so many ways. Understandable though. But it was important to remember he wasn’t Gigi’s responsibility to fix. But she could be his friend,couldn’t she? Slap him up the side of the head when he got too broody and focused on the past.
“We need to discuss the events of the party. Decide if there’s anything useful we saw or heard and pass it on to Cullen.”
“Well, those cherubs for a start. They were all being controlled by one person. The way they came after us. Turned their heads. Blinking in unison.”
“I overheard one of the guests comment on how extra sparkly gold they were looking. And the two I sprayed with taffy, both were rocking a little gold earring. I don’t know about the others.”
Nico clicked his fingers. He always noticed precious metals. “Yes, all of them, in their right ears. Shaped like carnations. Which have long been considered the symbol for adoration.”
“You’re thinking whoever sent Aploonius, and the other formerly golden dude was also the one controlling the cherubs?”
“The extra gold makeover. Their actions. The earrings. It makes sense. You know, more and more I’m thinking these trinkets are some kind of shackle or handcuff.”
“Yes, some type of conduit through which our curse maker transforms and controls their subjects.” Gigi frowned. “Do you think the cupids were at the party just to cause chaos?”
