I won’t argue with her on any of those points.
Tad makes a yipping sound as if a small dog just had a paw run over in the driveway.
“Good old Demeet here has hired a top-notch attorney.” Tad slaps him on the back good and hard—as he should.
Mom gasps. “What about Olivia Harrison? I thought she agreed to represent you?”
Olivia Harrison is the mother of my very good friend, Ellis Harrison, and I very much plan on outing myself to Ellis very soon. In fact, after this little charade is over, I plan on getting the OG Retribution League together, a very small society of Nephilim that I banded together, which consisted of Ellis, Brody Bishop, Cooper Flanders, Logan, and me—in order to fight the old Barricade. But I suppose the Retribution League has expanded to include Laken and Wes.
What am I?Chloe snips.Chopped Celestra? I’m in the Retribution League. Get used to it. I’m not sitting around waiting for some cordial invite.
I meant you, too, Chloe. You’re in regardless of the fact I’m literally inside of you. And don’t try to twist that into something sexual either.
A laugh rumbles from her.My mind didn’t go there. Yours did.
Tad looks to Demetri as if he wasn’t quite sure what exactly happened to Olivia Harrison himself.
Demetri gives a measured nod. “Of course, she insists on consulting with the case. But she’s agreed that you’re better left in the hands of an experienced attorney who specializes in this type of fraud. Mendelson Bain is a predator even among the sharks. He’ll eat you alive and spit out the bones before you ever realize what’s happened. He’s perfect for you.”
My lids hood low as I shoot Logan a look. We both know that the person who is going to be stripped to the bone is Tad. And the shark in question just so happens to be Demetri.
The sound of familiar laughter comes from the hall, accompanied by the sound of what sounds like an entire herd of little feet running in this direction as both Nathan and Barron burst into the room, and just like that, my spirit blossoms to life.
“We’re back!” Barron screams with laughter at the top of his lungs.
“Boys!” I gulp with grief and joy as I leap forward, and just as I’m about to hold out my arm, Logan steps on my toes, adding just enough pressure for me to howl a bit.
Nice save, Oliver,Chloe quips.Cool it, Messenger. I don’t care about your rugrats, remember? Snort at them and tell your mother I hope she has insurance on that fine china Tad purchased off eBay last spring to the tune of forty K.
A slight groan comes from me because it is wholly possible this was an actual purchase I was not aware of.
Logan shoots me a quick look, sharp as a knife. And I’d say there was a very real threat in there somewhere. As bad as I don’t want to screw things up, Logan doesn’t want me to screw them up either. I get it. There is a hell of a lot on the line with Rory.
And then, as if all of time freezes, Gage Oliver waltzes into the room right after the boys as if he belonged here—as if we had rewound time a few years back when I truly believed he did belong here.
“Thought I’d bring the kids by.” He glares at Rory for a moment before searching the room and his eyes land on me. “I’m sure, Lizbeth, you won’t mind looking after them. They miss their mother.”
I don’t know why, but it feels like a punch to the gut and a heartfelt embrace all at the same time. Gage knows how much I miss the boys. He brought them for me, right? Unless he brought them for their own sakes because they’re craving any bit of me they can have, even if it is a mean empty shell of a person. And deep down, I know that’s the truth.
They crowd around Rory, fighting for her attention, and it kills me inside to watch as she bats them away with promises of ice cream if they head to the kitchen and get it for themselves. My God, she doesn’t care an ounce about them—or their health.
I cared, Chloe chirps.Or at least I pretended to when they were at my place. And don’t go off on how it was technically your house. I don’t give a shit anymore. You can have it all back, including that louse of a husband of yours.
A dull laugh bounces through me.You can have Gage. I couldn’t care less, Chloe. And that’s the honest to God’s truth.
Gage heads this way, and Logan cuts him off at the pass while my mother tends to the boys.
“What do you want?” Logan says it loud enough for me to hear, and I appreciate it.
Gage glances my way. “What do you care what I want? I’m giving you and Skyla whatyouwant—the boys. We can get back onto our visitation schedule.”
Logan shakes his head. “It must be lonely at the top. Not what you thought it would be, is it?”
“Ice cream party!” Tad heads off to the kitchen to indulge with the boys, and Drake and Ethan are quick to follow.
Demetri steps in close to Gage. “Son, I was just about to stop by. I’ve got news for you. I’m sure you’ll appreciate.” He nods to Logan and Rory. “The two of you will appreciate it as well. In time, of course. I’d hate to give away the farm so soon.” His lips curl in Rory’s direction, and a siren goes off inside me.
Why is he looking at Rory? Doesn’t he know?
