“I help Dorian with different things. PR shit and the like for HeatLink.” Cade shrugged.
“Oh.”
“We’ve been discussing. We understand you’re angry with us,” Dorian started. I started to say something. “Rightfully so,” he interrupted, and I closed my mouth. “You can set up your nest and room here. We won’t bother you until you’ve forgiven us.”
I eyed him and the other two who didn’t seem to be breathing.
“And the only stipulation is that I remain here? As your prisoner?” I raised an eyebrow.
“No,” Dorian insisted. “No to the second part. You’re free to go as you please.”
“But always return,” Cade added.
A thud sounded, and Cade hissed a breath out. Rafe’s glare at Cade told me he was the one who kicked him.
My lips twitched. Damn them for being cute. I couldn’t hold off what I really wanted to ask anymore, and my smile melted away.
“What happened with Susanna?”
Dorian slowly set down his fork. “Nothing happenedwithher.”
“Other than we almost killed her.” Cade grinned smugly. My eyes bugged out.
“I know you believe we don’t truly want you, but Eva.” Dorian turned his torso toward me, giving me his undivided attention. “She was never for us. Even with her, we weren’t happy.” He shook his head. “We would have been miserable if you hadn’t saved us from the mistake.”
My anger melted the rest of the way, and emotion swelled. Sincerity was clear in their features. I met each of their gazes,and the plea in all of them matched. Denying them . . . I didn’t think I could do it.
“Guys?” a female voice called, then Deborah rounded into the kitchen.
She came in like she belonged. My jaw locked, and I stood. Rafe was already on his feet, protectively hovering next to me, gripping my shoulder and forcing me to sit back down. Cade grabbed my hand, and Dorian was on his feet so quickly, the chair slammed on the floor with a loud bang.
“How the fuck did you get in?” Cade hissed.
Deborah’s eyebrows raised and pinned where he held my hand. I clenched it, tugging it, but Cade didn’t let me go.
“You weren’t answering my calls . . . I saw you put a key under the mat one time . . .” Deborah kept blinking. “Why are you glaring at me?” I followed her gaze to Cade’s sneer.
“Out!” Dorian roared, a crippling amount of dominance coming from him.
Deborah choked, and her legs gave out. She kept her eyes lowered, her mouth flapping open and closed.
“No one gave you the authority to enter.”
“I-I was knocking and Cade wasn’t answering me. I was worried,” she cried out, tears spilling from the corner of her eyes.
“Get the fuck out.” Cade shoved to his feet, sneering at her. His irises expanded making his eyes seem black. “Or you’ll conveniently disappear.” She flinched and scooted back, scrambling to her feet.
His threat sent chills down my spine. Deborah finally retreated, running out of the house.
“Fucking annoying,” Cade huffed. I couldn’t make myself not be stiff. Keeping my jaw locked tight, I stared at my food. “Eva,” he whispered, voice miles different from what it had been moments ago.
He caught my hand. I didn’t say anything and picked up my fork to stab it into the spinach salad. He’d made it clear that the night they brought her here, they hadn’t fucked her, but seeing her was a stab to my already punctured heart.
I shoved the forkful of spinach into my mouth and chewed.
I didn’t look at them the rest of dinner, and they kept their word, giving me space, while watching my every move like I was about to vanish.
Chapter 35
