“Are you telling me you’re okay with everything?” I challenged. “Completely fine with sharing her attention, her time, her?—”
“Why are you backpedaling?” Leo interrupted. “You were the one who insisted that we either go poly together or not at all. That was your speech, remember? In the conference room after the board meeting?”
“I’m not. It’s just that—” I stopped, frustrated with myself for even mentioning it. “I want some alone time with her too. Is that so wrong?”
“Of course not.” Leo’s voice came out less harsh. “I want alone time with Tashi too. But you have to give her a break and let things evolve naturally. We’re not easy guys to live with.”
The door opened before I could respond.
Ares walked in with Tashi, his arm around her waist. He moved stiffly—yesterday’s drubbing still evident in his careful movements—but there was something protective and possessive in the way he held her. Tashi looked worried, her eyes scanning his face like she was checking for new injuries.
The knot in my chest tightened.
“Morning,” Ares said, guiding Tashi to a chair before sitting down himself with a barely concealed wince.
“How are you feeling?” Leo asked.
“Like I got hit by a truck.” Ares accepted the coffee Tashi poured for him. “But alive. Thanks to you finding me.”
I pushed down the irrational surge of jealousy and focused on what mattered. “The bomb threat. What’s the status?”
“Neville’s ordnance team worked all night, sweeping the ballroom, the Selene Room, all public spaces, mechanical rooms, and support structures. Found nothing.”
“Nothing?” I leaned forward. “You’re sure?”
“They’re professionals. Former military. If there were explosives planted, they would have found them.”
“So how will he do this?” I demanded. “You told us they would bomb the hotel during the gala tonight. You heard them planning it.”
“That’s the sixty-four-thousand-dollar question,” Ares said.
“Is it?” The words came out sharp. “Don’t you think you should be part of this search instead of snuggling up with Tashi?”
The room went silent.
Ares’s expression went cold. “Now wait a minute?—”
“Orion, what’s wrong?” Tashi interrupted, looking between us with growing alarm. “What’s really wrong?”
“Besides a bomb threat?” I stood up, unable to sit still anymore. “Someone’s trying to kill us tonight and we have no idea how? Or the fact that?—”
I stopped myself, but it was too late. They were all staring at me.
“Say it,” Ares said quietly. “Whatever you’re thinking, just say it.”
“Fine.” I turned on him. “You spent the night with her while Leo and I managed the crisis you created by going after Marcus alone and getting yourself nearly killed.”
“Orion—” Leo started.
“No.” I couldn’t stop now. “I’m happy Tashi was worried about you. I’m glad you’re okay. But we’re supposed to be in this together. Equal partners. And right now, it feels like?—”
“Like what?” Tashi asked.
I looked at her—this woman I’d fallen for so completely, so fast—and hated myself for what I was about to say.
“Like you’re choosing him,” I said. “Like last night, when you were scared, you chose Ares. Not me. Not Leo. Him.”
Tashi’s face crumpled. “That’s not—I didn’t choose?—”
