Page 73 of Revenge & Truth

“Sweetie, it’s a modern century. Don’t act so surprised to see an alternative non-monogamous relationship,” I chided. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I should probably go find them.”

Leaving the woman slack-jawed at my response had to be the best feeling in the world. Poor thing didn’t have a chance to stew over what I said since there were about five cars behind us when we pulled up. It seemed we made it during the second wave of people who are fashionably late.

“Sounds like someone was reading up on the sites Jace forwarded to us all the other day,” Hound said with a chuckle. “I should also tell you that hearing you publicly claim us as yours is the most romantic and sexy thing I’ve ever heard.”

Smiling, I steered us toward the open bar in desperate need of a drink. “If we’re really serious about this, then all of us are gonna need to be comfortable with educating people about being polyamorous or telling them to fuck off if they’re an asshole.”

“Still, I just wanted you to know it meant a lot to me,” Hound pointed out. “I’ve been a dirty secret to more than one lover, and it’s nice to know I’ll never have that with you.”

As Hound ordered us drinks, I stared at him in disbelief. “I’m sorry, what did you just say? Who the fuck would dare to keep you as a token sidepiece?”

The bartender handed us our drinks, and Hound shot back his whiskey and asked for another. Only after the second shot and an old fashioned in his hand did he answer, “Look, I wasn’t in a good place before I found you. I was working for whoever would hire me and pay me a shit-ton of money. Then I’d blow it all going to raves, dropping molly, and sleeping with whoever I was into that night.”

Honestly, I couldn’t say I was surprised at this from the stories I’ve heard over the years about old jobs or people he worked for. What I wasn’t prepared for was the look of disgust on his face as he talked about his past.

“One night, I ended up sleeping with this rich trust fund baby. He was hot, loaded, took me on trips, and never asked questions about who I was and what I did, so I didn’t have to lie. After about a year of seeing each other, I thought it might be serious between us. That is until this old-school gun runner brought me in for a job. A picture of his daughter, her husband, and two grandkids was on his desk. His son-in-law was the guy I’d been sleeping with and letting spend all his money on paying my fucking bills,” Hound spat, leaning against the wall out of the way. “To him, I was nothing but a whore to sleep with when he got bored with his family. Needless to say, when I confronted him about it, he shrugged his shoulders and said, “So what.” I left him and fell deeper into despair until I met Braxton, and he pulled me out of the cesspool I was in and got me work with your dad.”

“I’m so sorry that happened to you, Hound. I have no concept how that made you feel, but my heart aches over the fact it still hurts you to think about it,” I offered, unsure what else to say. “What I can say is that you will never be my secret. I don’t care who it is or what they think, I’m fucking proud to tell people I was the lucky bitch the badass hacker, Hound, chose to love.”

He gave me a lopsided grin as his eyes shone with tenderness. “How did you know I loved you? Oh, and to be clear, I am fucking in love with you, Astin. You’ve owned my heart for a long time, and I thank fuck for every day I get to wake up because that means I get to spend my life with you.”

“Hound,” I started cupping his cheek. “You are many things, but one of them isn’t being subtle about how you feel about me. It’s been written on your forehead since the day you showed up at the house.”

“Yeah, when it comes to you, I can’t hold back. Probably one of the reasons I still stalk your ass any time you leave the house. I have to know where you are and that you’re okay. People might call me a freak, but no one can say I don’t care enough,” Hound reasoned with a mock-serious face, wagging his finger at me.

I pretended to bite his finger, but he snatched it away in time, making us laugh.

“Seems nothing ever changes, does it, Astin,” Flora’s haughty voice commented behind me. “Here you are in the corner flirting with an outcast of society, ignoring all those around you who could give you an advantage in the world. Your father was a fool to name you heir.”

It took every ounce of control I had not to whip around and fling my scotch at her. Not only would it be a crime against good liquor, but it wouldn’t make her melt like the wicked witch. Hound’s hand curled around my wrist as if he were going to hold me back and gave me a warning look. I knew he was trying to tell me we didn’t want to draw attention, but goddamn, it was hard not to.

I smiled and gave Hound a wink, letting him know I wasn’t going to claw her face off even though it would make me feel better. Turning to face my once-upon-a-time stepmother, I almost had to do a double take at her appearance. How much plastic surgery has this bitch gotten?

“Hello, Flora. I see your appearance now matches how fake your personality is,” I greeted and gestured to her appearance with my glass. “You must tell me who did your work, so I know to stay as far away from them as possible.”

“Charming as always, I see.” Flora scoffed.

Dipping into a curtsy, I bowed my head slightly. “Guilty as charged. In fact, just today I was told how delightful I am,” I shared, meeting her dead, emotionless eyes. “Bet you can’t say that’s ever happened to you. Oh, and if it was said by anyone you paid to like you, it doesn’t count.”

“I take back what I said about you not changing. In fact, I think you’ve become even more uncouth than ever,” Flora shot back.

Breaking Hound’s hold on my wrist, I threaded our fingers together and leaned against him. “It’s what makes me a fucking delight. Wouldn’t you agree, my love?”

“Moonflower, you know I think you’re perfect just the way you are… uncouth, unfiltered, and unstoppable,” Hound agreed, pressing a kiss to my head.

At his answer, Flora seemed to take notice of him for the first time looking him up and down. “How fitting you’d choose the house whore to be your lover. Those two male-loving abominations had their way with him, and now you get their leftovers.”

It didn’t take much to figure out she was referring to Braxton and Jace. Despite their best efforts to hide it from the Family, they were the only two men who were clearly more than friends. “Is it considered leftovers if I’m with both of them too? Ah… well, none of that matters. It’s not like I was fucking my husband’s brother any chance I got, along with whatever idiot I managed to bribe during my travels. I’d much rather be in an open and honest relationship where I know who is fucking who than end up with some disease that rots out my vagina.”

The jab about fucking my uncle seemed to really get to her. It made her face turn this interesting shade of purple, which was helpful because with all the Botox, I couldn’t tell if she was feeling anything at all.

“You have no idea what you’re talking about. I loved Athos. He was one of the only men in my life to see the value I brought to the table. My father wasn’t the only one who had pull in the world we live in. I developed my own contacts, knowing one day I’d need to stand on my own two feet,” Flora said, her voice shaking with emotion. “I know you killed him and his brother too. Ruthlessly cut off his head and used it to show what a monster you really are.”

All the fake niceness I’d been holding onto fell away, and I drew Darkness close. The bitch had crossed the line, and I wasn’t going to allow her to get away with it.

“So finally, the two of us are being honest here.” I let go of Hound and took a step closer to Flora. “If we’re going to start throwing around accusations, then what do you have to say for yourself, filling my uncle’s head with the belief he could be the leader of the Caprioni Family? Because of those lies, he aligned himself with the Accardi Family. And don’t bother denying it, either… we have more evidence than you can possibly dispute, no matter who the judge is.”

The color in Flora’s face began to drain as she came face-to-face with the monster she believed I was. “Athos wasn’t supposed to approach them. I encouraged him to take the role of boss because I thought he was better suited to it than your father. Colmazio was getting old, and with his heart condition, there was no way he could continue to lead. Athos was the right choice, but he went and screwed it all up trying to cut a deal with Harvey to have his backing in a takeover.”