Then the door exploded open.
With a yelp, I snatched up a studded stiletto in self-defense, ready to drive it through the chest of whoever dared.
Nova burst in, belting out the screamo lyrics of the chorus with a grin like she owned the world.
With my adrenaline still high, I flung the shoe over my shoulder, my fighting instincts bleeding into sisterly affection as I joined her. We went verse for verse like nothing had happened, then collapsed onto the bed when the song ended, laughing like idiots.
“Bitch!” I shoved her shoulder. “I almost stabbed you with my red queen Jada Dubais! Those shoes cost more than your house and training center combined.”
She sat up, dangling both shoes from her finger with confused shock. “These little things costthatmuch?”
Snatching them back, I cradled them lovingly. “Don’t worry, babies. Auntie's just a psycho who would prefer to smash faces in for obedience than to have them fall at her feet just for the opportunity to kiss them.”
Nova rolled her eyes and flopped back onto the bed, only to yelp. “Why the fuck are your clothes attacking me?!”
I crawled over and carefully untangled her wild, long white hair from the sequins and rhinestones, giggling at her dramatics.
Glancing at her leather pants, boots, crop top, and moto jacket, I smiled. No matter how crazy things got, my siblings were my constant. Friends, rivals, family, pests—they were mine.
When I finished detangling her, I said, “Done.”
She sat up, rubbing her head like it hurt, but we both knew that was just for show. Nova had the thickest skull, physically and metaphorically, of us all. I once told her that her second-in-command, Zeth, might have a thing for her, and she’d just laughed in my face.Me. The queen of seduction. That was when I knew she was just thick in the head. I felt sorry for Zeth.
After that, I stopped trying to help my siblings with their disastrous love lives.
When we got those mate blocker tattoos, I reminded them that it didn't mean that we couldn't have attachments. It was healthy to rely on someone and fuck them, and with the tattoo, we could do that without being consumed by the bond of a mate or mates.
We had watched our parents do it while remaining grossly in love with each other, but it was a lot of work. I didn’t know how my mom juggled five fucking mates. All of their feelings and emotions affecting you, calling to you... it just seemedexhausting. Then to have five crazy rambunctious kids on top of that! My mom had to be either a saint or the fucking devil in order to survive all that while still looking as good as she did.
Settling in beside Nova, I pinched her arm.
She jerked her head toward me, ready to yell, but I tilted my head and smiled. “Not that I don’t love this surprise, but what’re you doing here?”
We usually let each other know if we were in the area, especially for business, so this unannounced pop-in wasn’t really on par with the normal state of things.
Nova looked around and nodded, trying to feign ignorance. “I like what you’ve done with the place. That closet? Solid investment. Your shit’s no joke.”
“Nov,” I warned, lifting the Jadas threateningly.
She raised her hands and chuckled. “All right, all right.” She dropped them again, looking suspiciously guilty. “Let’s just say… a little birdie told me you weren’t taking a stalker situation seriously.”
My head snapped toward the wall like I had x-ray vision. My whole body lit up. “Betrayer.”
I marched toward the door. “Traitor.”
Nova blocked me, smiling nervously. I didn’t break eye contact with the spot I knew he was standing behind. That would be known in future stories ashis tomb, a cautionary tale for guards who dared to snitch.
“Hey, hey! Calm down!”
I tried to get past her. I was ready to kick open that door and scream at him as I stabbed him in the heart. Fair was fair, after all.
“Ni. Aniyah!” She grabbed my face, forcing me to meet her gaze. “He’s just worried about you.”
I shook free, crossing my arms to keep from doing something I’d regret. My whole body was buzzing with instability.
“Yeah, well, he went behind my back. Like I’m not a boss, too. Like I can’t make decisions for myself just because I wear heels and look good doing it!” She watched me huff with a wry smile.
“I get it.” She glanced toward the door with an almost pitying look. “I really do, Ni. That’s why I didn’t tell the others.”
