"I wouldn't argue if you threw a couple of bucks my way." This entire situation had sidetracked me for the last few days. I'd survive but I could have used the money from jobs I would have done under normal circumstances.
"We'll see what we can arrange," Thomas said standing. He hesitated in the act of reaching for the door. "You should consider getting a bigger place, now that you're head of a house. I have several lovely properties you could choose from."
Once a manipulative vampire, always a manipulative vampire.
I glared. "I'm happy where I am."
His smile warmed his eyes. "Just a thought for when you're ready."
He could keep those thoughts to himself. I'd never be ready. I wasn’t moving out of my apartment anytime soon.
He opened the door. Connor glanced inside, his expression wry as if to say what are you supposed to do. I shook my head and rolled my eyes up to the ceiling, gratified when Connor hid his smile.
The door shut again, leaving me in peace.
*
Days later I woke up wrapped around Liam. He had one arm folded behind his head as he stared up at the ceiling.
I shifted closer. "Those look like some serious thoughts you're contemplating."
He let out a masculine sound, not looking away from the ceiling.
I pressed a kiss into the side of his chest. "Would you like to share?"
"I almost lost you."
That had me lifting so I could see his face better. "That's a grim observation."
"But true." His eyes seared mine. "Or am I wrong?"
I looked away.
His fingers touched my chin. "How close was it?"
I couldn't hide the answer in my eyes. Closer than I wanted to admit. If I hadn't found Niall and Arlen, if I hadn't chosen, the crown would have burned me to cinders.
There were probably mere seconds between my death and my choosing.
He nodded slowly. "That's what I thought."
I put my head down on his chest.
"Why Niall?"
"He was the only one with the potential to resist its darkness." Even as I said it, I felt the lie in my words.
There had been two others who would have worked.
Arlan—and Liam.
He seemed to sense what I wasn't saying, his big body relaxing under mine. His arms closed around me and he rolled so he was on top. He looked down at me like I was a treasure he intended to cherish. His smile was slow.
"You made me a few promises while I was drunk," he drawled. "I intend to collect."
His mouth descended, burning a path down my neck as his hands moved my shirt up.
I moved against him, liking where his mind was going. "You definitely should."
