“As if.” He tossed the first bag's strap over his shoulder, grabbed the second, and then took my makeup case with his free hand. “Do you have a preference for breakfast?”
“You know this town better than I do. You choose.”
When I got to the car, I found Jake in the driver's seat, a stubborn look on his face. I chuckled and climbed in the back, surprising all three men. Little did they know that I was an expert in dealing with alpha males. I had stomped a little on Jake's manhood, taking control of his car like that. Had to be done. He couldn't see me as a helpless woman. Now, I'd let him reassert himself, but he'd have to pay for it.
As Lex got in the front passenger's seat and Cyrus climbed in back with me, I had to hold back my grin. This was going to be fun.
Timing is everything. I waited for Jake to back out of the driveway and pull onto the street. He began to discuss breakfast options with Lex and Cyrus. Pretending indifference, I stared out the window, my purse on my lap. My phone was in there. I could text Ace whenever I wanted. But I had to play it cool or they might remember what women's bags generally carried and take the phone away. So, I didn't grip my purse or rifle through it.
Once Jake had a destination planned and was calmly heading through town, I sighed dramatically and laid my head on Cyrus's shoulder.
All three men came alert, the two in front turning to look over their shoulders at me while Cyrus froze. I ignored them, closing my eyes and settling in. Carefully, slowly, Cyrus slid hisarm behind my back and eased me in against his chest. Then the three men sighed in unison.
Right. They could share in each other's emotions and even feel the same sensations. Damn it. Jake hadn't given up anything by driving. So when he hit a bump in the road, I pretended to be jolted out of my lethargy and sat up. Again, all three reacted, but this time, the sounds they made were ones of disappointment.
That's better.
We finally parked, and I waited for Jake to get out and open my door for me. Yeah, I know, it's contrary, but I wanted to be treated like an independent womananda lady. I can have it all, thank you very much. That's what being a modern woman is all about. Nothing wrong with a man showing respect by opening a door. It doesn't mean I can't do it. It means I'm a fucking queen!
I smiled at Jake as I got out. “Thank you.”
Jake grinned at me.
That's the thing with dogs and men—especially men who were also dogs—you gotta show them who's master. But it's not all about punishing bad behavior. What's even more important is rewarding them for good behavior. Head lifted, I sashayed around the car and held out my hand to Lex, who was waiting on the sidewalk. He hurried to take it and help me onto the raised surface. His reward was escorting me into the restaurant—a pretty cafe with a French aesthetic.
The host took us to a table out front, open to the sidewalk. The men hesitated, stares shifting from side to side.
“This is great, thank you.” I sat down before they could request a table in the back. The last thing I wanted was to get stuffed in a corner on my first day out of prison.
Grimacing at each other, they sat down, and the host handed out the menus.
Things were a little tense at first, but then they relaxed. The food helped. Still, they took turns searching the sidewalk and street—two eating while one kept watch. This was done without discussion or any indication of when it was time to switch posts, as it were. They simply knew.
“So, you mentioned that you're friends with one of the Cerberus mates,” Lex said. “How did you meet?”
Without hesitation, I said, “I escaped the Underworld and possessed her.”
Cyrus sputtered into his coffee.
“You what?” Lex asked.
“You heard me. I was an escaped soul. I possessed Wren, but eventually, we became friends. I helped her improve her looks and her life. We had a symbiotic relationship going. That is, until her Cerberus tore me out of her and sent me back to Hades.”
“Holy shit,” Jake whispered. “You're telling the truth.”
“You were . . .” Lex shook his head. “You were the very thing that we hunt.”
“That's right, boys.” I smirked with my Angie lips. “I'm one of the few souls smart enough to sneak past the first Cerberus. Me. All by myself.”
“How did you get to the Blessed Isles?”
“Oh, so just because I outsmarted a Cerberus and possessed a human, I'm a bad person?”
The men blinked rapidly.
“I didn't go there at first, okay?” I grimaced and sipped my café au lait. “I did something profoundly awesome while I was dead. Even better than escaping Hades. Although, I think I should get some recognition for that.”
They looked at each other, then at me.
