After a while, Maria’s breathing becomes softer and deeper.
“I think she’s asleep,” Benedikt murmurs, his eyes closed.
He opens them to gaze at her and nods, then looks at me.
“Why do you think Joseph was reluctant to join us?” I whisper.
Ben shrugs. “He has some demons he’s fighting. His morals have decided that this whole situation is wrong, and he’s struggling with it, even though she’s enjoying herself.”
“She really was,” I muse.
He chuckles quietly.
“Joe likes to be in control of things, and right now, I suspect he feels a bit out of control.”
“I think the bigger issue is the animosity between Joe and Artur. Jeez, those two go at it nonstop,” I groan.
“I know, and it’s only getting worse. I’ve been thinking about it for a while now. I’m not sure how to broach the issue,” Ben sighs.
“If this alliance is going to work, we have to find a way to solve that. We can’t let it carry on and get out of hand. It’s already close to being out of hand as it is,” I ponder.
“I agree. Let’s give it some thought and see what we come up with,” Ben says, his eyes closed again.
That night, neither Benedikt nor I go to our own beds. We kick the towels aside and slip beneath the covers with Maria,who sleepily snuggles between us again. She mumbles when she dreams. I try to hear what she’s saying, hoping I can find out some silly secrets about her, but she doesn’t speak clearly. Still, it’s ridiculously cute, and once or twice I even hear Benedikt chuckling at her.
But sleeping next to her is peaceful. My thoughts remain calm, and my body melts against hers. It feels right, which scares me in ways I don’t want to focus on.It’s just the high from being with her, that’s all.
Chapter 15 - Joseph
I don’t understand how they can be with her without guilt.
Yes, I would’ve loved to join in. My body was begging me to agree to it all, to just let go and follow my instincts. But what happens afterward, when she regrets what happened and can’t face them in the morning? Or when she’s angry and she feels as though they took advantage of her?
But dammit, I can’t stop thinking about it.
It’s early morning. I didn’t sleep well last night. Once or twice, I got up to check on her, and they were still in her bed. They all seemed to sleep peacefully while I paced around the hallway, worried for her.
This morning, my eyes are gritty and dry. I should climb back into bed and try and get a few hours at least. But my head won’t let me.
I want to be available when she wakes up in case there are any issues.
I’m on my second cup of double espresso. My head is drifting somewhere between dreams and scattered thoughts.
“Fuck,” I groan, pushing my hand through my hair as I lean against the kitchen counter, staring at the empty coffee mug and wondering if I want another.
Maybe I should go up to the gym instead.
Sighing, I press the button and a fresh stream of dark liquid magic pours into the mug for the third time. Thank goodness I’m not one of those people who gets jittery.
On the kitchen counter, my phone buzzes softly. Picking it up, I don’t recognize the number on the screen.
“Hello?” I say quietly, not wanting to wake anyone else.
“Is this Joseph?” the man on the other end snaps angrily.
“Yes, who is this?”
“I believe you’ve taken my sister against her will,” he says coldly.
