We decided to split a bottle of wine, then meandered into the kitchen to pilfer some leftovers, all the while making fun of the craziness of that performance and Lucian’s perverted tendencies. Stefan asked more questions about the other tribes, in particular the linguaborn, who were masters of language, and we played a game ofKill, Fuck, Marrywith the more eligible among our guests. It had been so long since I’d hung around someone my own age that I realized just how much I missed Valentina and my friends back in Miami, which made me think of Papa, and how important it was that we get him away from Azrael’s clutches as soon as possible.
It was late by the time I got back to our rooms—near dawn—and when I tiptoed through the door, you were already up, sitting at the edge of the bed and staring at me as though you’d been waiting for a while.
“Where have you been?” Your voice was rough, your first words on waking. There was nothing playful about the question.
I turned on the bedside lamp. My eyes no longer had the ability to see in the dark, and I needed the light to gauge your mood. Just how much should I tell you?
“I was with Stefan in the wine cellar. And then we raided Lucian’s kitchen.”
“You were with Stefan?” Your tone rang with disbelief.
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Why not?” It’d be better if I made it seem like this line of questioning was out of order, even though if our roles were reversed, I’d probably be doing the exact same thing.
“What did the two of you discuss?” There was a suspicious gleam in your eye. Jealousy or disbelief?
“Whether Bad Bunny will get the respect he deserves from the greater rap community.”
Your eyes were stony. Not amused.
“I won’t be upset if you wish to engage in a sexual relationship with someone else.”
My arms raised as a flood of anger engulfed me. “Well, I would be fucking furious if you did that, Henri. Heads would roll.”
“I’m only saying—”
“I didn’t fuck him. I have no desire to fuck anyone but you. When you’re not being a complete and utter asshole.” There, I’d said it, though I didn’t feel too great about it.
“If you weren’t intimate with him, then why are you lying to me?” The insult had rolled right off your back. Your focus was deadly.
“I was with Stefan. We talked about a lot of things. Some of which would bore you to tears and some of which are none of your business because I’m a grown-ass man. Now, what is your problem?”
“My problem,” you said as you stood, the span of your shoulders blocking out the light. “Is that you never used to keep secrets from me before. Or lie to me. And now you’re doing both.”
I couldn’t deny it, and maybe it was unfair of me, but I also didn’t feel as though I owed you an explanation.
“If I’m lying to you, it’s for the benefit of this campaign.”
“The benefit of the campaign,” you said derisively. “Like impaling yourself on the end of a warborn’s sword?”
So, you weren’t over it then.
“I didn’t think he’d strike me while my back was turned.”
“Because you don’t know any better,” you roared in frustration. You obviously didn’t remember our conversation, but at least I knew the reason for your anger. You were worried about me.
“You’re right, and I’ll probably make more mistakes before this is all through.”
“Mistakes that could get you killed.”
“Yes.”
Your fists clenched, drawing my attention to your corded arms and ripped abs, flexing under your strength. Your shoulders were bunched and hulking, neck strained, thighs popping out of your briefs like a strongman. Fuck, you were hot. And you were holding onto all of that aggression, letting it build and build until you exploded. I knew what you needed, to be pushed right to the edge. I could take you there.
“Maybe I need to be punished,” I said, giving you my best smolder. Your glower shifted into something else as you studied me. My heart was racing. Should I really be tempting you right now?
