“I don’t blame you,” Rage says, turning a corner. “I’m driving around in circles. There’s a chance we’ll get spotted if I keep it up. We need to go somewhere. It can’t be anywhere public since you’re not really dressed for it.” He glances my way.
I find it interesting. His eyes are dark, and yet they’re very expressive. I mostly see anger and irritation, but there’s more there. So much more. “One of your friends, maybe?” I suggest.
He frowns. “I’m thinking Maddox.”
“No!” I say.
“Why not?”
I’m pretty sure he still wants to palm me off on his brother. “I told you, your brother isn’t up for dealing with the likes of Gaire. He’s an infant as far as his powers are concerned. Gaire will eat him alive.”
“Is he going to track us that quickly?”
I sigh. “I hope not.” I shake my head. “We would have a couple of hours to plan, and then we’d need to move on. We need to be prepared for the worst.”
“I wouldn’t want to put one of my friends in harm’s way. I could get us a hotel room?”
I shake my head, “That’s the first place he’ll look. There aren’t too many places to stay in Newfolk.”
“We could blow town…” He curses. “But I’m still not convinced I’m the right person to help you.”
“Leaving town won’t help us. Gaire can teleport. We need to plan. There are ways to mask the strong aura I give off. Ways to break down the stupid bond.”
“What ways?”
“We’ll talk about that later. Where can we go? What about Bolt or Night? Both of them would be good options. They’re strong.”
“No and no. Bolt will do anything to protect his girlfriend, and Night has a wife and child. They would kick us out in a hot minute. I know I would if the roles were reversed.”
“We need someone strong, with a whole lot of power.”
“Death is a good option. He’s a full god. He’s unattached. Keeps a low profile.”
“No way!” I shake my head. “He’s connected with the Underworld. Hades is—”
“Death is one of us.” Rage pulls into a parking lot, choosing a space close to the entrance of the shopping mall. It’s busy. There are crowds and people everywhere. He instinctively knows how to hide. We should be okay here for a while. He turns and looks at me. “I trust him one hundred percent.”
I want to call him out and tell him he’s wrong, but I don’t. I choose a more subtle approach. “Death is beholden to Hades.”
Rage nods. “Death is Hades’ son.”
“Hades trapped Death into giving him control. The only reason Death is breathing is because Hades lets him. Death may mean well. He might be a fantastic person and try hard to do the right things, but he is still beholden to Hades in every way.”
“Is it the same with you and Gaire?”
I shake my head. “Gaire is nowhere near as powerful as Hades. He’s stronger than almost all non-humans, but Hades takes all the cake in this regard. Death has no choice…ever. His body is not his own. Even his mind, to a degree.”
Rage curses, looking away. “I knew it was bad, but I didn’t know it was that bad. Poor Death!” He looks back at me. “What kind of control does Gaire have over you, then?”
“We need to move. We need to find somewhere to hole up and to talk. I’ll tell you everything then…I swear.”
Rage nods once and then pulls out of the space. “What about Trident? Is he strong enough for you?”
“Now you’re talking.” I smile.
Rage looks at me through the rearview mirror. He’s scowling. It’s very clear that he doesn’t want to be here.
10
Rage
I knock on Trident’s door for the third time. “I think we should go to Sam’s house.” I check the time. “He would be sleeping and pissed that we woke him up, but I think it’s a better option than this.” I hear a woman moan from inside Tri’s place. I knock again…harder. I even check to see if it’s locked, and…it is.
“Mmmmm,” she says. “I’m not so sure Samuel is the right choice. Son of Hypnos… lord of sleep.” She shakes her head. “What is he going to do, put Gaire to sleep for us?” She shakes her head again. “That won’t work.”
“Jarrod, then.” The woman’s moans are getting louder, which is a good thing. Maybe she’ll come already, and then Trident can let us in.
Nia shakes her head. “No. He’ll tell Gaire all about his past just before Gaire kills him. Trident is the best option we have. We can wait a few minutes. He’ll be done soon.” She sniffs, looking a little uncomfortable.
“You hope.”
“I’m pretty sure.” She licks her lips, her eyes on the door.
The woman starts groaning in a very definite rhythm. I shake my head and push my fingers into my temples. Please let this end! Please! Listening to Tri fuck is not on my list of things to do to keep calm. It’s on the other list. The what not to do list.
It gets noisier and noisier. I can hear Trident grunting now too. Nia’s eyes are getting wider and wider. Finally…fucking finally…the woman gives an almighty yell. Any asshole can hear that she’s coming hard.
Thank fuck!
I knock again.
“Give them half a minute,” Nia whispers.
“No!” I growl. “Fucking Trident and his dick.”
“You also have a dick,” she says…completely straight-faced. “You were at a sex club just the other night.” She shrugs. “I don’t see too much of a difference.”
“There’s a huge difference. Tri does this all the time. The other night was the first time I’ve looked for sex in months. Not that it’s any of your business.” I look at the scar on my arm. I see her cheeks turn pink. She’s ashamed. I should hope so! I knock again, much harder this time. “Tri! Hey…Tri!” I knock some more.
He finally opens the door, wearing the tiniest pair of underwear I have ever seen on a man.
“Hi,” Nia says, smiling.
“Hello, there.” Tri goes straight into flirt mode, like he wasn’t just fucking another woman moments earlier. Like he doesn’t reek of sex and some shitty floral perfume.
“We need your help,” I say. “Can we come in already? We’ve been out here forever.” In reality, it was only about five minutes, but it felt longer.
“Sure.” He moves to the side, and we go in. “Sorry to keep you waiting. I was…busy.” He smirks. “Make yourselves at home.” He points at the living room. “The kitchen is well-stocked, so help yourself.”
“Where are you going?” I fold my arms. I know exactly where this knob is headed.
He points at the hallway that leads to the bedrooms. “I won’t be too long,” he says.
“What?” I growl. “Get rid of the girl. This is serious.”
“So is this,” he says. “I kind of promised her three orgasms. We’re two down and one to go.” He’s walking backward as he talks.