As I led them out of the conference room and toward my office, I heard Ezra mutter to the others, “I’m going to look into that spell. Find out why it failed. I’ll keep you all posted.”
Classic Ezra, still trying to patch holes before the ship sank, but maybe it was meant to sink. I wasn't going to say anything, though. She needed to come to terms with it in her own time.
Inside the office, my mates’ eyes snapped to me as I entered. Five feet from the door stood Alic with the poise of a soldier. Maso watched the window like he was doing recon. Lucus lounged against the credenza with a drink in hand. Van sat on the couch, typing something on his tablet, still working. And Ras… Ras was sniffing and hugging my desk like a man possessed.
“These are my mates,” I told my siblings before I gestured to each in turn. “Lucus.” He raised his drink in salute. “Maso.” Heturned to face them with his arms crossed. “You all know Van and Alic.” They nodded in respect to them.
Before I could get to Ras, he bounded forward and grabbed their hands, shaking them aggressively. “Aniyah is the center of my universe. Her every wish is my command. Unlikethem,” he gestured back, rolling his eyes at the rest of them like he was exhausted, “who are constantly distracted by work and other things unrelated to her.”
He leaned in like he was sharing a secret. “But me? I watch her.Always. Never take my eyes off her. Even if she were to run aw?—”
I slapped my hand over his mouth. “This is Ras. He’s… eccentric.”
Ezra took a step forward, her face impassive. She leaned toward me and whispered, “You sure? He reminds me of a certain family member already… the one that causes the most amount of trouble.” The smirk she gave me at the end brought my heart back online, and I realized it would be okay. All of them would get along.
I grinned. “Couldn’t hurt.”
Before anyone could respond, a familiar voice boomed from the hallway, “Move aside, you imbecile! All my grandkids are here, and I want to see them. I was not denied at their births, so I won't be denied entry here. Not unless you want to lose a face!”
A haughty, critical voice followed. “I’m sure a new face might actually do you some good. This one’s not really working for you.”
Nova grinned, her smile screaming that she knew exactly what chaos was about to enter into my life.
The doors flew open before I could confront her, and our grandfathers stormed in like royalty. Tata Ternin spotted Ezra and Riot first, throwing his arms wide open. “There are my girls! We haven't seen you in so long.” Riot and Ezra tensed on impact.
Papu Syrus squealed, arms outstretched to them as Grandpa Easton and Pops Manic followed, both of them hugging the rest of us.
Then Nova dropped the bomb. “Did you know all these men are Aniyah’s mates? We just met them.”
Silence fell. You could hear a hairpin drop.
Tata Ternin stalked toward Ras, the one closest to them, first. With deadly authority, he asked, “What are you, and what do you bring to the Syndicate? Why are you with my granddaughter?”
Ras smiled. “I’m a demon. My magic enhances sex, and I’m also in IT. Oh, and I love your granddaughter so much I’d chain myself to her if she would let me.”
Lucus cursed. Van sighed. Maso looked pained. Alic didn’t react, almost like he’d expected whatever crazy came out of Ras’ mouth.
Tata gave Ras a long, scrutinizing look before turning to me and twirling a finger at his temple while he mouthed,He’s nuts.Then he moved on to interrogate Alic, the next closest.
Meanwhile, Papu Syrus wrapped his arm around me, staring at Ras. “Okay, yes, he’s insane, but look at him!” He waved his hand up and down his body, pinching his face in his hand then letting it go. “He’s got strong genes! You’ll make stunning babieswith white hair and beautiful ruby eyes. I say we keep him. Make him stud number one to keep the others on their toes.”
I groaned as he gave Ras a hundred-watt smile and shook his hand like he didn't just say that to his face. Then he moved on, bringing with him the sunshine after each dose of Tata Ternin’s wrath. The two of them were the perfect yin and yang.
Grandpa and Pops just followed in their wake, apologizing for the two of them before introducing themselves and welcoming my mates to the family.
Ras laced our fingers together and gave my hand a squeeze. “Iloveyour family already, but I think I need to win Ezra over, so excuse me, my star.” He kissed my cheek and skittered off, tapping Ezra’s shoulder before I could stop him.
Gods help him. Ezra was going to eat him alive.
Smiling to myself, I looked around, seeing my mates were otherwise handling my family just fine. Ras was going to learn the hard way today, but it was good practice for when they eventually met the parents. Who knew how the dads were going to take the news?
That was another day's problem, just like finding out who was coming for us. Someone was always going to come for the top dog, but we were ready. Me and my siblings would eliminate any threat coming our way, together.
Today, I was just going to enjoy the little peace we’d found and gear up for tomorrow’s battle.
…To be continued in Syndicate Fists.
