“He saw you with one body, love,” Titus drawled.
“Oops.”
Zane growled, knowing he’d done that on purpose.
Titus sighed but was obviously used to his brother’s antics. “Here’s what I propose, taking into consideration all the presented facts, we give your brother and Pavel one week. If, by the end of that timeframe, Zane decides he doesn’t want to go through with the wedding, no one will force him.”
Aweek? Was he insane?
Dumb question.
Of course he was, look at his choice in men.
“What happens to Pavel then?” Zane asked, but Titus shrugged a single shoulder, refusing to give a set answer. “And what do you two get in return for this generous offer?”
“I’m pretty sure that was sarcasm, Mercy,” Aodhan said.
“Thank you, love, I wasn’t aware,” Titus replied, also in a sarcastic tone. “Family dinners once every two months, monthly if you can manage. I know you’re deep into your studies at this time and don’t wish to interfere with that, so I’ll leave the timing up to you.”
Zane blinked at him, not really following, but when he didn’t say anything else, and Aodhan’s blank expression proved unhelpful, was forced to ask, “Excuse me?”
“Emergence isn’t that far from Vitality,” Titus explained.
“Around fifteen hours, give or take,” Aodhan said.
“You’re more than welcome to stay the night when you make the trip, of course,” Titus continued, “but a traditional family meal is what we’re asking for. We can start with this weekend. You can bring your potential mate with you if you’d like. Fly home with Aodhan. I believe his flight is booked for two days from now.”
“Slight problem,” Aodhan interjected. “I may or may not have shot that potential mate.”
Yeah, there was no way Zane would allow Pavel to make that long of a trip with a hole in his side.
Titus pinched the bridge of his nose. “Then I suppose I will be seeing you three at the end of the month instead.”
“Hey! I can still come home!”
“No, no, you should remain there and keep an eye on things. Make sure your brother really will keep his word.”
“But work—”
“Don’t fret about that, I’ll give you a leave of absence. A perk of being the director.”
“That is a total abuse of power,” Aodhan mumbled, just loud enough that Titus had to have heard.
Zane watched the corner of the older man’s mouth twitch, but he didn’t fully smile. Was he…punishing Aodhan right now? For shooting Pavel? Also…
“Why?” he drew all of their attention back his way with that question. “Why do you need these family dinners? I’m smart enough to know it’s not for my company.”
“Yes, well,” Titus did smile then, though it wasn’t friendly. “There’s a new doctor at the facility who’s been driving your brother mad.”
“He’s got such a great relationship with his siblings,” Aodhan immediately jumped in, rolling his eyes. “Like, we get it. You love each other, blah blah. If Mercy would just let me kill him, I know I’m not the only one who would be grateful for the renewed peace and quiet at the hospital. Seriously, the work environment has gotten—”
“You’re jealous,” Zane surmised.
Aodhan huffed.
“He’s made several comments to your brother about you and the rest of your family and how none of you have ever visited the planet,” Titus said.
Zane considered this and then crossed his arms. “I come for an entire weekend once every two months, do the big family dinner out at some public restaurant, and I pay a visit to thehospital upon arrival. On the month I’m not scheduled to show, I make at least two phone calls where we can fake being close loud enough for anyone within earshot to hear. How’s that?”
