“So, you’re going to Phoenix? When were you going to tell me?” Derek disputes.
Leo becomes more aggravated at Derek’s appearance. “You know I’m Victor’s mentor, and I will be with him until his lessons are complete. And why does that matter to you? We’re no longer together.”
“You’re still my husband,” Derek comments as he crosses his legs.
Leo rolls his eyes as he walks into his bedroom. “Did you astral project here to remind me of that? This could have been an email.”
“I’m just wondering why you’re going to Phoenix with that empath when he has no lessons there,” Derek comments.
Leo returns from the bedroom with a garment bag. “Because I am to be with him the entire time. And after what happened the other day, it’s safer if I stay with him.”
Derek gets up and walks over to Leo. “I heard what happened to him. I guess it was a good thing you were there. Because we both know Karl couldn’t handle the empath himself.”
Leo glares at Derek, tossing his garment bag on the couch. “The empath has a name.”
Derek shrugs his shoulders with a disgusted look plastered on his face. “I don’t care. He’s not superior to me.”
Leo looks at Derek from the corner of his eye. “He’s superior to all of us. And when he finally comes to terms with who he is, you will eat those words.” Leo walks back into the bedroom.
“I don’t give a damn who he is, and I’m not going to bend a knee to a homewrecker,” Derek says with some hostility.
“Homewrecker?” Leo exclaims, walking back into the living room with his suitcase. “You’re the one who cheated on me. With a throuple from what I remember.”
Derek coyly looks over his shoulder, “Maybe you should have been home more often to ensure I didn’t wander, Leopold.”
Leo moves Derek away from the wet bar to retrieve a couple of water bottles from the fridge. “I can’t wait until you’re gone for good. Then I can be done with you.”
Derek leans down to whisper into Leo’s ear, “You’ll never be done with me, sweetheart, unless you know what’s good for you. Don’t forget the oath you took when we got married.”
Leo stands up, nose-to-nose with Derek.Even though Derek isn’t there physically, Leo can still feel Derek’s static coming off the tip of his nose and the warmth of Derek’s breath. “Don’t worry, I’m already looking into how to break that oath.”
Derek kisses the tip of Leo’s nose and gives a vicious grin. “Good luck with that.”Leo becomes enraged, causing his fists to burst into flames.
Leo gets startled when he hears the door open. He quickly extinguishes his fists and turns to his attention toward the door.
“Leo?” Victor peeks into Leo’s room. “Did you get everything ready for us to head to Phoenix?”
Leo looks back at where Derek was standing. Derek had vanished just when Victor appeared. Leo collects himself before responding to Victor. “Almost. Let’s get a bellman to pick up our things.”
Victor and Leo walk into Victor’s apartment. Victor drops his suitcase next to the door and turns on the light in the entryway. “Welcome to my place. Sorry for the mess.”
Leo walks further inside and looks around. Victor’s apartment is neat and tidy. “What mess?”
Victor calls out to his Amazon Echoto turn on all the lights. He tosses his garment bag on the back of a chair at the dining table. “What do you want to order for dinner?” Before Leo could answer, there’s a knock at the door. When he opens it, the maid stands there with a large bag in her arms. Victor’s jaw drops when he sees her.
“Close your mouth, dear; you’ll attract flies.” She pushes her way in and goes to the dining room. “I wanted to make sure you boys have a nice meal tonight.” She takes out two big to-go boxes. “Where are your plates, sweetie?” Victor’s mouth is still open as he points to the cabinet where the plates are.
The maid walks over, closes Victor’s mouth as she enters the kitchen, and gathers a couple of plates and silverware. “You like your steak medium-rare, correct? And Leo, you like yours rare. I remember that. Victor, I got you that chimichanga or chimichurri, whatever you call it. That herby green sauce you like to put on your steak. I remember that it’s your favorite. I’ve never had it before. So, I tried it the other night, and I can see why you enjoy it on your steak. I think I’m going to start having chimichurro sauce with my steak now.”
She walks back to the table and plates their food. Victor is still speechless as to what’s going on. Leo chuckles behind his hand, trying so hard not to laugh out loud watching Victor’s utter confusion. After a few more moments of the maid talking andgathering the discarded to-go containers, she says her goodbyes and leaves.
Victor stares at the door, “What . . . The Fuck . . . Just Happened?”
Leo laughs as he puts his jacket on the back of his seat and sits down, placing his napkin on his collar. “Don’t overthink it and just eat.”
Chapter Twenty
Acouple days later, Victor greets his friends at the door. “I’m surprised Elliott was able to make it.”
