Declan made a huffing sound. “Yup, she's your mate.”
“Why do you say that?” I asked.
“Isn't it obvious?” Declan asked. “The bond is already starting to settle into place. She felt your need.”
“I thought we had to have sex to set the bond?” Rune asked. “As in, all of us with her at once.”
Declan shrugged. “Hades has never been clear about that.”
“True,” Rune murmured pensively. He rubbed his chest, then looked at me. “I don't feel different, though. Do you Lora?”
I shook my head. “No magical tingles going on. But I'm already immortal so maybe I won't feel it.”
My men looked at the other team. The other team shrugged in unison.
“Great,” I said. “I'm glad we know so much about the magic that's going to bind us forever.”
“The how doesn't matter,” Brax said. “Only that it happens.”
I smiled at him, wishing we could get back to what we'd been doing before lunch. He grinned back and from the look in his eye, he was thinking the same thing.
“So what do you guys do for fun around here?” Dominic asked.
Everyone stared at him.
“What? We won't be working constantly.” He looked from the men to me. “Dweebs.”
I snorted. “That's an outdated insult.”
“Is it? What should I call them?”
“Nothing negative if you want to live,” Rune said casually.
“You can't kill me.” Dominic grinned.
“Oh, I'm sorry. Let me clarify. Nothing negative if you want to live with all of your body parts attached.”
“Now, that's a better threat,” Dominic said and took another bite of his sandwich. “Still not scared, but better.”
Ding! The air fryer went off.
“Oh! French fries!” Dominic exclaimed.
“Dom, please close your damn mouth,” Darius said.
“What? I can't be excited for french fries?”
“I'd be excited to eat one meal without having to see what your food looks likeinsideyour mouth.”
“Dweebs,” Dominic muttered and took another bite.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Two days later, I was well on my way to falling in love with Merrick and completing my Cerberus set. I was also enjoying the company of the Spokane Cerberus—Darius, Declan, and Dominic. Secretly, I was pleased that they'd been sent to help. It helped to alleviate my worry when they went on scouting missions. That being said, because my guys had backup, there was no way for me to wheedle my way along.
I was going a little stir crazy, so I was relieved when I received a call from my insurance agent, requesting that we meet at the gallery to go over my claim. I scheduled a time for that very afternoon. Then I told the men.
“No,” Rune said.
