Maybe that was the point.
42
Ashes to Ashes
Ronan
There was one thing I’d always missed about my old house, and it was the giant soaking tub in my en suite bathroom.
Water dripped from the faucet, echoing in the humid air as I tipped my head back against the edge. The skin on my hands burned from the cuts I’d sustained in the fight, but I welcomed the pain. The sacrifice. Because no matter how much blood I shed or lost, it was nothing compared to what Sage was giving up to protect me.
My every thought was consumed of my mate, fantasizing about having her by my side, and spending the rest of my life making up for putting her back in harm’s way. I couldn’t wait to have her in my arms.
I also wanted to consummate this need for her physically, but that could come later. Or hell, I would be fine if it never happened, so long as she was safe from that monster.
Once my fingertips had turned into prunes, I got out, wrapping a towel around my waist and walking back into my bedroom as I used another towel to dry my hair.
“Ew, put some clothes on.”
I looked up, finding Maia leaning against the headboard while sitting on my bed, legs crossed in front of her as she scrolled through her phone.
“Come on in, make yourself at home,” I intoned flatly, grabbing a clean T-shirt and sweatpants from the pile of neatly folded clothes on my dresser. I’d insisted I could take care of my laundry myself, but Zilla wouldn’t hear a word of it.
I got dressed in the bathroom and came back out. “What do you want?”
She shrugged, popping a bubble of the gum she was chewing. “Just wanted to see how tonight went.”
The growl that rumbled in my chest was barely suppressed as I replied, “Did you know about the vamp?”
Maia paused, and then sighed. “Your job was just to collect the money.”
“Yeah, but why the fuck should we be collecting money for a service we aren’t providing?”
“Lucien… provides a different service. Or did, at least, until you beat the shit out of him.”
I raised an eyebrow and she shrugged again. “I have friends who work there. They told me.”
“And you didn’t do anything about that bloodsucking fuck?” I asked, fire raging under my skin.
“Douse yourself,” Maia replied, getting off my bed. “It’s complicated.”
Complicated, my ass. I knew this world was built on favors and debts, but if we couldn’t deliver what we were paid for, then establishments likeRipped Lacewould find someone else who could.
“So let me ask again, then. What do you want?”
Her expression sobered. “I just thought you might want someone with you while you watched this.”
My frustration was ratcheting. I was so tired of being out of the loop, of being left to flounder on my own, cleaning up after assholes who couldn’t even bother to tell me what they’d spilled. “Can I just get a straight fucking answer—for once—in my Ravaric-damned life?”
Maia swallowed nervously.
“Watchwhat?” I yelled.
She showed me her phone, playing a video from some stupid celebrity gossip show.
… I will not be taking any further questions on my mate bond with Sage or my marriage with Accalia at this time.
My whole body froze at the sight of Sage, standing beside Victor, her expression flat. But I knew it was just the mask she wore to disguise her fear. Because no amount of makeup could hide the dark circles under her eyes, or add color to blood-drained cheeks.
