We part after our heavy make-out session right on the rooftop, not giving a damn who could see and judging by the bright smile on his face and the hands that won’t stop caressing me, I’d say my Angel feels much better.
Oh, the lengths I would go for that smile.
CHAPTER 20
My rules are not your rules
Nevaeh
“Aren’t you a vision for sour eyes, sweetheart?” Angel climbs the steps to where I stand and kisses me softly.
Looking down at my outfit for the day—yet another pastel purple pullover I stole from my mate and jeans that Grace gave me.
“Yeah? I like it too. It’s someone’s mother’s jeans, but I’m not sure whose.” I shrug, rubbing my hands on my thighs over the rough yet smooth material.
“What?” Seiji looks around to see if anyone knows what I’m talking about.
“Grace said these are ‘mom jeans.’ I just don’t knowwhosemom gave them to me.”
Behind Angel’s shoulder, I look for Grace so she can confirm it. Sitting beside her mate on the dining table, Grace has her cheeks between her palms hard enough that I can see her knuckle turning white.
Then suddenly, the room is loud.Obnoxiously loud. Every corner of the penthouse is filled with roaring laughter that I’m sure humans from the other side of town can hear.I have a family full ofweirdos.
Wiping a tear from his right eye, Anxo holds my face in his gigantic palms to smash our lips together before I can ask what is going on. “You are adorable, sweetheart.” His words are still breaking from how hard he’s trying to compose himself.
I had a hint these people were weirder than average, but now I know exactly how much. How am I supposed to stay sane my whole life surrounded by a bunch of idiots?
“I don’t have time to fix every brain in this room, so I’m letting this go for now.” I reach for the suitcase I abandoned because it was heavy and I didn’t want a workout, but before I can, Angel takes it from me, lifting it with ease.Show off.
I’m willing to ignore their stupidity today because I’m jumping off the walls, excited about finally going home. Now that Harvey is here and we’ve gathered all we can about August’s biological family, there’s no need to stay around humans.
After the night at the club, we took a few days to recuperate. I used that time to talk to Harvey about what happened after he escaped. We both understand that the memories and hardships of that time will forever stay with us, and we will always be the two people looking for the exits as soon as we enter a room, but at least we are not alone anymore.
For me, the last week was filled with one emotional breakdown after another. Surrounding myself withmy peoplehas soothed the little girl inside me who was afraid of dying alone with no one to remember her. The banter, silly fights and constant care from my newfound family have soothed my inner child, and I don’t remember the last time that kid felt so safe and cherished.
The night after the club wasn’t the only time I allowed myself to let it all go. Now, when I break, I don’t have to fear about piecing myself back together because Angel is there with me—holding me, caring for me. With my mate by my side, that voice in my head urging me to keep looking back feels so far away.
Seeing the bags huddled around the elevator, a thought strikes me. “Wait, how are we getting home?”
“Same question,” Harvey says with a mouthful and dives right back into his breakfast. He is eating fromtwodifferent plates. This man eats like no one fed him for a decade.Oh, wait.
Seiji pushes some bags around to make space for allfourof his bags. How long did he think he was staying here? “I’m not staying in this realm a day longer, that’s for sure. The pollution alone is a deal breaker. If humans keep this up, I don’t think we’ll need to step in. They are very capable of killing themselves all on their own.”
“The cars are ready.” Hazel strolls into the living room, tapping her phone at lightning speed.
“Again? I thought we could finally ride our horses,” I complain. Seiji turns to me exasperatedly and says, “We can’t just ride our horses—thatfly,mind you, among humans! Honestly, woman, have you forgotten the rules?”
By rules, I’m guessing he’s referring to the guidelines our elders left for us. What they don’t know is that Papa thought he could do better than our elders and gave me his own version of those rules.
I don’t know about them, but what he taught me and what they know arenotthe same things and by the grimace on Grace’s face coupled with her sympathetic smile, I know Papa fed her the same rules, but at least she knows the original version.
Rule number one:Don’t let anyone fuck with you. Always hit first and hard so they never get another chance.
Rule number two:Don’t go showing off your mumbo jumbo to humans. I won’t be cleaning up that mess. You know how annoying those little shits are, and I don’t like dealing with humans unless I absolutely fucking have to.
Rule number three:Mates are the most precious gifts in our life. When you find yours, love them unconditionally. Give them all your love and devotion.
Rule number four:Family is everything. The Horsemen are our second family. You trust and protect them even when you don’t understand them.
