“Atty?” I tease, and Atlas flicks my leg before popping the top off of his drink.
“Don’t start,” he warns and I pantomime zipping my lips.
“Okay, Atty, whatever you say.”
He narrows his eyes, but Jeremy dramatically clears his throat to recapture our attention. The man looks military; not just from the buzzed hair, but from his defined muscles and the way he carries himself. Though with the amount of weapons I passed on my way to the bathroom and back, I have to lean towards the black market skill set or extreme paranoia. Only time will tell, but either isn’t a bad thing right now.
Lucien reclines back in his chair, looking far too refined for this cluttered, tiny house. “You don’t ‘get in’ on anything. That’s not how this works.”
Because you guessed it, Jeremy didn’t bat an eye at someone trying to kill Atlas, but can’t get past the fact that we’re in an unconventional relationship. The conversation keeps circling back to that, and I doubt we’ll get anywhere until we assuage his curiosity.
I take another swig of my wine, still confused as to why humans insist on making such a big deal out of every little thing. To them, life is set in a solid, unyielding path that corresponds to their expectations, that any deviation from it makes them lose their minds.
“It’s really not that complicated, Jer.” He turns and raises an eyebrow, waiting for me to elaborate. “Everybody likes me because I’m amazing, obviously, and I get lady boners for them right back. But you know, the emotional kind. Sex is great and all, but just like any relationship it takes work. More than anything, it’s making sure everyone’s on the same page, agrees to the same parameters, and if there’s a problem we figure out a compromise that everyone can live with.”
“So, it’s a democracy led by your vagina?” he asks, still missing the mark, and I snort out an unfeminine laugh.
“No, because my vote doesn’t get any more sway than theirs. It’s just like any other relationship, just with muddier waters to navigate. What happens between say, Atlas and Dorian, is just as important as what happens between him and me.”
He looks like he’s starting to understand, but it isn’t quite clicking yet. Dorian’s thumb strokes back and forth over my thigh as he takes a different approach, better at words than any of us.
“You have siblings?” At Jeremy’s nod, Dorian smiles. “Perfect. Okay, so just like you love your brother and that connection is important, so is the one you have with your mom or your sister. They’re different, but all equally as important. Now say you get a girlfriend or a boyfriend. Just because you’re sleeping with them, that doesn’t mean you don’t love your brother any less or have to stop talking to your parents.”
His eyes widen when it’s clear he finally gets it and he’s processed it in a way he can wrap his head around. “So don’t get caught up with the sex part, because that’s not the point. You don’t get married so you always have somebody to fuck, it’s because you like the person and that connection is what you’re trying to hold onto.” He nods to himself, grinning. “That’s actually pretty fuckin’ awesome. I have trouble keeping a steady boyfriend or girlfriend; I can’t imagine juggling three.” He chuckles to himself. “But this-” he gestures at all of us- “makes a hell of a lot of sense.”
I tip my glass in his direction, pleasantly surprised at the direction this took. “Especially from a financial standpoint. For me at least.” I wink at Lucien as he tries to hide his amusement.
It may be pandering to his ego, but the guy seriously struggles with his need to take care of his family. If mooching off of the man makes him happy, who am I to take that joy away from him? Such a sacrifice, really.
“So, Jer,” Atlas starts, pulling us back onto the topic we kept getting derailed from, “you think you can help?”
Jeremy scoffs, cracking his knuckles and pulling a laptop from a bag beside his chair. “You can stay here, but information is going to cost you extra.” He switches to work mode, his attention transfixed on the screen as he boots it up.
“You find the bastard that did this, I’ll pay you double,” Lucien offers easily, still keyed up despite the fact it’s been hours since he realized we weren’t dead.
Jeremy’s head jerks up as his eyes widen. “You didn’t even hear my price.”
Lucien raises a single eyebrow, unfazed. “Someone tried to murder my family. I don’t give a shit about the money; I want a name.” Jeremy’s cheeks heat as he ducks back to work, attempting to subtly adjust himself.
Same, Jer. Same.
The night drags on and eventually we pile into the spare bedroom, finding only a twin bed. Unless we want a massive, people sandwich, we’re looking at an absolute max of three people, and even that’s pushing it. I sigh dramatically, feigning being put out.
“I guess I’m going to have to bunk in the other bed. Such a shame.”
You’d think having your house explode would be enough chaos for a fae to rest well at night, but energy thrums through my veins without rhyme or reason, leaving me worked up and energized with no outlet.
Atlas growls, slamming a hand out from where he stands beside the open doorway to bar the exit. “Bull-fuckin-shit.”
I kiss the hollow of his throat, rubbing my cheek against his chest. “Wanna make a deal? Or just duke it out?” I adopt a fighting stance, bouncing on the balls of my feet, but Dorian captures me from behind and tosses me on the bed.
“Are you okay?” he asks, sounding genuinely concerned and not buying into my instigations. “You’re acting weirder than usual. Freaking out on us?”
I pivot so that I’m kneeling on the mattress, strumming my fingers on my thigh. “Nah, I’m just not tired. I feel like I chugged a gallon of energy drinks instead of booze.”
Atlas curses, crossing the room and getting in my face. He grabs my chin and twists my head this way and that while I lick my tingling lips. My skin is crawling and I’m half inclined to rub myself against him like a horny cat.
“Jesus, she’s high as a kite,” he declares, cursing and scrubbing his free hand over his mouth. “Pupils are blown to hell.”
