“It always does.” He adjusted himself in his gold trousers and fanned himself with my scrawls dramatically, which did absolutely nothing but draw attention to his dick.
I wrinkled my nose. “Really, dude?”
“You just need to know what you’re missing.” He grinned before he started skimming.
I scowled. “If you want to knock me up so bad, why haven’t you sent me an Intention?”
“I don’t want to be your suitor. I want you to pop out my spawn.” He didn’t look up from my Intentions. “There’s a big difference. A contract givesyoupower. Being one of my pregnant girls givesmepower.”
“Pig.” I scowled. “Why does anyone sleep with you?”
“Because I’m rich, powerful, and charming. Plus, the massive dick you noticed, denial or not. Now shut up and let me help you.”
I sighed and leaned back to give him space to read. My TB buzzed again.
Plum Purple
Gym, now.
My heart pounded. ‘Gym now’ meant Ezra wanted to talk.
No. Maybe. Ugh, yeah?
On one hand, I’d been daydreaming about exactly this; on the other, Cayden kissed me. My best friend liked me, and he kissed me while I rode Rowan’s face, which had blown my little virgin mind.
But they weren’t XanRa.
The dynamics between Ezra and Xan were nothing like Cayden and Rowan. And I liked all of them, each in their own maddening, irresistible way.
Erick let out an unhappy grunt. “I’m just going to say it.”
I snapped my attention to him.
He handed me my Intentions. “These are not the only Intentions you’ve received.”
I nodded. “Everly said the same thing… and Xan hinted there might be more.”
Erick snorted. “Might.” He shook his head. “The Architect’s limiting your options.”
I bit the inside of my cheeks, hating how plausible that sounded.
“Two are from the McDonalds. Their runner’s still at The Rooster, probably waiting for answers.”
I scowled.
“The rest are from our overlords’ allies.” Erick tsked. “I also know for a fact that my father sent one on behalf of my family, offering up my oldest brother on a platter.”
I laughed before I realized he was dead serious.
“Charles’s a twat.” Erick inspected his fingernails. “But I’m sure you could talk my father into anything. Politics and power are like that. My freedom extends only as far as my use.” Erick frowned; his eyes shadowed. “So, depending on your game. The Architect would probably want you to respond to the Abernathys first, followed by the Robinsons. They’re out of Blackpool and small, but they’re loyal to the Architect to a fault. Two of their sons are in his ranks if you wanted to meet them first.”
“Ah.” I pursed my lips. “Right.”
“The Silvers... are interesting.” Erick handed me back the scrawls.
“Like Seth Silver?” I bit my lip, not liking this at all. “The guy Winston told me would make a good friend when I first got here?”
“I did hear Seth expressing interest in you even before you told the world you were a woman.” Erick smiled too sweetly. “The Architect was a Silver. The family’s stronghold in Yorkshire is vast and powerful. Though they failed to cull a mentalist in their midst.” He tilted his head to the side and shook it. “Such a shame. Neither the Architect nor the family makes a claim, but blood doesn’t lie.”
