She smirked, “After meeting me, I don’t think he would agree.” At that moment, Oliver saw Chloe eyeing him and winked.
“I bet.” I laughed.
Chloe’s expression became serious. “That fight was brutal. Are you really okay after seeing your men throwing fists?”
I considered it momentarily, “Yes, with our connection, I would sense any genuine malice. Oren exhibited no anger, while Nathan’s anger seemed righteous, not lethal."
“I’ve never heard of Factions members killing each other,” Chloe pondered.
“If it’s a true connection, I think it would be nearly impossible. It's hard to hold a grudge when you can feel the emotion behind the actions taken.” I shrugged.
“Then why do you still want to punish Storm?” She looked confused.
“Because I can feel that he needs it to move on from everything that happened. And if I’m being honest, I do too.” I shrugged.
“I can understand that.” Chloe nodded, then eyed me briefly,
“Out with it, bestie. I can see you're wrestling with something else.”
I wiped imaginary crumbs off the table to avoid eye contact.
“A part of me feels ashamed that I’m not more outraged by his actions, but the Nexus in me revels in the deviousness and cunning of my new bonded. It’s like, I know what the human world expects me to feel, but as an Aurathion, I don’t.”
Chloe made a weird buzzing noise, and I jerked my head up to look at her. “That’s a strike.”
“What’s a strike?” I was confused.
“No one has the right to tell you how you should feel. You don’t have to justify yourself to anyone, human or Aurathion.” She pulled me in for a hug. “If you're happy, that’s all that matters.”
I squeezed her tight, “I agree with you, in theory, but sometimes it’s hard to convince myself.”
She pulled back and grinned, “And that’s why you have me. I’m a great convincer!”
“Hey, what’s with all the serious faces?” Zane plopped down on my lap, holding his plate up high.
“Can’t… speak… I’m being crushed.” I groaned out.
“Get the fuck off her.” Zeke snapped at his brother as he put a massive plate of food before me.
“Just giving my baby some love,” Zane kissed me with plush lips.
“Well, give her some love from your own seat.” Zeke sat down on my other side.
Zane looked at Chloe with puppy dog eyes.
“That shit doesn’t work on me.” She laughed, pulling her beautiful red hair in a ponytail with the scrunchie on her wrist.
“What if I promise to bring you Java and Jam tomorrow morning?” Zane bargained.
“Now you’re talking. How about you bring me Java and Jam three mornings?” Chloe smirked.
“One morning and a late-night ice cream run.” Zane threw back.
“Deal!” Chloe stood, and they shook hands on it.
Just when Zane started to lower himself into the chair, it was jerked out from under him, and Nathan sat.
“What the hell, man? Get your ass up, I paid for that chair.” Zane growled.
