Marshall grabs me by the shoulders and gives me a gentle shake, his crimson eyes latching onto mine. “Listen to me. I’m only going to say this once.”
My entire body thumps in rhythm to those vibratronics and, my God, if his aggressive shake, rattle, and roll routine isn’t making my desire to get laid climb even higher. Just one hostile word from him and I might just climax right here on the dance floor.
“Talk dirty to me, Marshall,” I pant.
And just like that, the vibratronics start to fizzle.
“Oh, no, no, no! What are you doing?”
“I’ve turned down the volume as you suggested.”
“Not with me! Turn it up! This is a direct order from your superior!” Am I Marshall’s superior? God, I have no idea.
“No on both accounts,” he flatlines. The expression on his face lets me know he is not amused. “Skyla”—he expels a heavy sigh—“I don’t know what sort of exchange you had outside these walls to rattle you so thoroughly, but might I suggest you grow a thick skin—crocodile skin. If Ms. Bishop and Jock Strap could achieve this on a regular basis, you are going to come undone. You are a queen among peasants. Do not let the outcasts destroy you. Pick yourself up, look around at what you have, salvage what you can, and move on. When I suggested you alleviate your sexual desires—I didn’t mean with me.”
“What? Really?” It comes out like a whimper.
“Your time has come with Logan. There, I said it as plain as possible.”
And just like that, it’s as if I’ve hit a wall going a hundred miles an hour.
Logan. And here tonight was about taking back my life, returning to the beginning. I shake my head at how impossibly far off track I flew after one brief exchange with a couple of devils. Although, in my defense, it was the most brutal exchange thus far.
“Logan and I aren’t there yet. Are we?” I ask the question mostly to myself. “I mean, I am in love with him. I guess that means I really am diving back into Oliver waters. Only this time there won’t be a Bishop shark waiting to devour me. My God, I hope not. Logan has always been true north. My heart is already there.” But every word I shouted to Gage and Chloe was a lie. Gage was never second best. I was trying to wound without a weapon. It looks as if the shrapnel hit me as well. “I apologize, Marshall. And you’re right. As a leader, I need a thicker skin. Chloe and Gage are going to try to rattle me at every turn. I need to compartmentalize, live my life in such a way that they become something less than white noise.” I pull him in gently and look into those fiery eyes. “It was childish of me to want to have revenge sex with you. And I certainly will have no such thing with Logan.”
“No, you won’t.” He brushes the hair from my eyes. “What you’ll share with him is something true, and right, and pure. I’m afraid the human side of you longs to tie a nice neat bow on your relationship with Jock Strap. Spoiler alert as you might say—that won’t happen.”
My heart sinks, but a part of me knew that. “So he doesn’t come to his senses?” I’m hoping and praying that Marshall is up for giving me another one of those spoiler alerts.
“I don’t know.” He offers a mournful smile. “What I am certain of is that you may cherish the past, but don’t idolize it to the point it ruins your future. And you have one. First with Logan.”
“And then with you.” I swallow hard. “I don’t like death or separation. And is Logan going to lose his mind, slaughter my people, and leave me for Chloe one day in the future? I’ll be honest, the prospect terrifies me. If you’re at all privy to that tidbit, I beg of you to confess it right here, right now.” Ironically, those are Logan’s famous words.
Marshall glances past me and nods as if he were listening to someone. “I can assure you with complete authority, Ms. Bishop’s dance card has been filled.”
“Well, at least there’s that.” The music shifts to something slower and I wrap my arms around him as we sway to the rhythm. “I guess this is the end of the line for you and me.” I shrug.
“You don’t listen well.”
I give a slight nod. “I listened.” A cleansing breath expires from me. “Okay. I accept everything you’ve said. Thick skin, check. Although, just between you and me, it felt amazing to get out all that hostile aggression even if it was purely childish and hateful. But moving on, today is ironically the day I’ve chosen to take back my life, pull back the curtain of time, and meet myself at the destiny point I was at the second I stepped off the ferry for the very first time—only questionably wiser and seasoned by life. I’m the leader I’ve always wanted to be, Marshall. And as far as Logan goes, I’m willing to start anew with him, but for some reason I thought we’d move at a glacial pace. However, now that you’ve mentioned it, diving in fast and furious with my favorite Oliver seems like a much better proposition. And Iwillthrow out the proposition.” I give a flirtatious wink and he winces.
“Yes, well, destiny is calling. I’m glad you’re answering the proverbial phone. Know this, you are now well capable of accomplishing the task at hand, and no, I am not talking about that incessant itch you have.” He leans in. “Do realize that the itch at hand was biologically programmed within you. There is a Caelestis in heaven who gets something out of the deal as well.”
I roll my eyes to the ceiling. “I should have figured as much. Why do I even bother thinking things through? If I operate on instinct, I can rest assured that her will wins out in spades.”
“True, but I prefer your acumen to win out over sheer instinct. And it’s time for both to work in concert. Take back that seat of authority, Skyla. Knock the paper crown right off of Jock Strap’s head.” He nods to someone behind me. “Melody Winters just strode in with Marlena.” He shakes his head, incredulous. “She’s become obsessed with gaining a body in this time and space. Ms. Graham—Ms. Winter’s true soul had filled Marlena’s poor heart with such hope. If there is a lesson to be learned, it is that life is fleeting and every moment should be savored.”
I glance back and scowl at the OG version of Chloe. “Life is truly a prize. If it were not, the Savior would not have died to give it to us in spades. Too bad some people aren’t patient enough to sit it out until the last day. Typical Bishop always wanting what was never really meant for them.”
Marshall and I continue to glare at the two whorish throwbacks.
I didn’t buy a thing Chloe was slinging my way out there. But I sure didn’t hesitate slinging my own load of bull right back at her.
I wonder what Gage made of it? The old Gage genuinely loved me. I will never doubt that. But perhaps this new unimproved version really does believe I was just a prize to be fought over with Logan? And if he believes that, then I pray he believes he was second best, if even that, in my life.
Ironic that on the night I vowed to take back my life it falls to shit spectacularly. But in yet another irony that entire exchange made me feel better.
A thought comes to me.
