“It’s not your fault Gaire is a narcissistic prick,” Rage tells me. “We’re in this together. We’ll find a way to sort this out.”
It does feel good hearing him say that. I feel a lump grow in my throat. I nod and give him a smile.
Then Trident is pushing his chair back. “Okay, then. You kids take care of yourselves. Let me know if you change your mind about the extra help. I quite like the idea of giving Gaire an enema. I’ll shoot the water in one side, all the way through, and have it come out his mouth, his nose…he won’t know what hit him.” Trident chuckles to himself.
“This isn’t a game,” Rage says. “Someone is going to end up dead at the other end of this.”
Trident puts his hand on Rage’s arm. “It won’t be you, bro.” He’s completely serious for a change. “I have faith in your abilities. I have faith in you.”
“If only I could control my power better.” Rage’s eyes are blazing.
“You might surprise yourself.” Trident winks at Rage, “See you guys.” He heads out, closing the door behind him.
“I wish I could have his optimism,” Rage grumbles.
“Do you think Tri was right about Hades’ house being in another realm?” I ask. I can’t hold back. It’s the burning question in the front of my mind. I could end up pregnant. What then?
“I have no idea. He didn’t seem too sure. I wouldn’t worry too much,” he says, but he’s frowning. I can see his mind working.
I nod. I’m panicking, though, and trying not to show it.
“I’m sure Death will know. We can ask him when we see him next, and until then,” Rage rubs his chin, “we need to keep a cool head about it. We can’t undo something that’s already happened.”
I must say he’s taking this far better than I am. “You’re far too calm about this.”
“I’m being pragmatic.”
I pull in a deep breath. Rage is right. “Very few hellhound females are fertile. I more than likely can’t have kids, even if Hades’ house is in another realm.” I hold onto that thought.
“There you go. I’m sure we’ll be just fine. First, we need to get through the next confrontation with Gaire.”
“You’re absolutely right.” There’s a chance we might not even live long enough to find out. I stand and start gathering the plates when there’s a knock at the door.
“Must be Tri,” Rage says. He opens the door. It’s not his friend. It’s Gaire. My ex is smiling like he doesn’t have a care in the world. I feel my heart sink. I was so sure when he made his offer to Rage that he was doing it because he was running scared. Now I’m thinking that he did it to play with our emotions. I’m not sure we stand much of a chance. I square my shoulders and look him head-on despite the fear that’s clogging my throat.
22
Rage
Gaire leans against the doorjamb. His shit-eating grin gets bigger. “Can I come in?” His eyes move inside; I watch his lazy perusal of Nia. I want to break his face. I wish to god I had a little more control over my powers. I’d finish this asshole right now. I wouldn’t even hear him out. There is nothing he can say to me.
“Do I have any choice?” I deadpan.
“Not really.” He turns his smug smile onto me and winks. The fucker winks.
I step to the side, my patience waning.
“Eggs and bacon.” Gaire sniffs the air. “Nice!” He nods a few times. “Good to keep yourself in tip-top shape.”
“Why are you here?” I interject. It’s a stupid question, but I ask it anyway.
“I’m here for my hellhound. Are you going to hand her over?” He acts like Nia isn’t even in the room. It grates me. He’s treating her like she’s an object instead of someone with feelings.
“No deal,” I say.
There’s another knock at my door. I feel my hairs stand on end. I feel my blood run cold. The knock sounds again. Softer this time.
“Don’t you want to see who it is?” Gaire goads me.
“No.” I shake my head. It feels like someone has just walked over my grave.
The knock sounds a third time.
“You should really get that.” Gaire folds his arms, looking smug. I fucking hate him!
I look at Nia. Her eyes are wide, and she looks pale. I feel an ache in my chest. I walk to my door, feeling like I’m in a daze. I open it slowly; my heart is in my throat. My mouth falls open. I knew it. I just knew. Gooseflesh breaks out over every part of my body.
Warrick grins. He’s exactly the way I remembered him. “Holy fuck, but you’re old,” he says. “Gaire warned me, but,” he sniggers, “I didn’t think you’d be this ancient.”
I take a few stumbling steps backward.
“So this is your place?” Warrick walks in and looks around. “It’s small. You always said you were going to live in a mansion.”
“Things change.” My voice is choked. “Your priorities change when you get older.”
“What do you do for a living? You said you wanted to be a lawyer.”
I push out a laugh. I had forgotten about that. “No.” I shake my head. “I haven’t been in such a good place since…since… I didn’t study. I make my money with these.” I hold up my fists. “I couldn’t…I didn’t have the concentration after…after you…”
“After I died?” He raises his brows. He doesn’t look upset or angry.
Fuck! “I’m sorry,” I choke out. My voice is thick with emotion.
“I was an asshole,” Warrick says. “I should never have believed Bella. I knew you were crazy about her. I—”
“That’s enough.” Gaire clicks his fingers, and Warrick disappears.
I shout his name. He doesn’t come back. I shout it again. I know it’s futile, but I have to try. I grab Gaire by his leather vest and give him a shake. “Bring him back!” I snarl.
“Let me go.” Gaire stays completely relaxed. His eyes are on my hands. “I said, let me go. We can talk about it.”
I let him go on a growl and pace away before turning. I can feel my power; it’s right there. I’ve never been more tempted to let loose before.
“You can have your friend back,” Gaire says. “Just say the word, and he’ll be here, in the flesh. Not just for a minute or two, but to stay.”
My throat hurts. My eyes are stinging. I look at Nia, and she nods. “It’s okay,” she whispers.
Nia is as sweet as they come. She’s selfless. Sacrificing her would be far from okay. What Gaire is doing is wrong.
“My friend is dead. That’s on me. He’s not coming back.”
“You’d let Warrick rot for her?” Gaire points at Nia. “A woman you hardly know. Not even a decent lay…just lies there.” He snorts.
“Don’t talk about Nia like that,” I snarl.
“So you have it bad for the bitch. So bad you’re going to let your best friend rot in hell? I thought you’d want to help him since you put him there.”