Vik (Shot Callers 2)

The spoon bounced, tinkling until it settled in the mess below. And when Roam brought his face close, I reminded myself that any reaction at all could set this maniac off.

I remained silent and still, and he tutted, “Don’t be jealous, dear.” He then sneered while letting the caustic words wash over me. “You know I love you so.”

I closed my eyes and continued to breathe. The theatrics were overkill, and when Roam released my face, he turned and stalked away, leaving me trembling in my seat.

From the next room, he called back, “Clean that shit up.”

Pollux’s gaze was locked on Roam’s retreating form, and when he was gone, the man looked at me, a strong frown pulling at his lips. His puzzled question lingered in the air. “What did you do to him?”

Droplets of milk from my spilled cereal dripped from the island onto the floor.

My response sounded weak even to my ears. “I have no idea.”

After the kitchen incident, Pollux walked me back upstairs, but when I noticed he was leading me back to my dungeon, I came to a halt, spun on him, and showed no shame in begging, “Please don’t put me back in there.”

His brows lowered. “I have to.”

Oh God. He was punishing me. “I know I got you into trouble, and I’m really sorry, but I can’t go back in there.” My breathing was already starting to turn heavy. “I can’t.” Reflexively, my hand went to my lower belly. “Please don’t make me.”

After a moment, Pollux’s gaze came to rest on my stomach. “You really got a baby in there, or you think that shit up to get some sympathy?”

“It’s real,” I swore, then lifted three fingers in a sad attempt at humor. “Scout’s honor.”

He seemed to think it over. “I have to shower, so you have to go back in there,” but when my eyes widened and I attempted to argue, he cut me off with a terse, “but I’ll come back. Give me half an hour.”

I knew I was in no position to haggle, but the words shot out before I could stop them. “Ten minutes.”

And, to my surprise, the man’s brows rose. He followed the move up with a chuckle before he countered, “Fifteen.”

My lips thinned, but I nodded, and he shook his head, still snickering at the gall.

Just as the door began to close, I rushed forward and called out a desperate, “Wait. Can’t I come with you?”

The door clicked shut, and Pollux called out a distant, “Fifteen minutes.”

I waited patiently as the walls caved in around me. I closed my eyes and worked on steadying my breathing, and when footsteps approached, I scrambled to stand. As promised, the door opened once more, and there was a freshly showered Pollux in light blue jeans, a tight long-sleeved gray tee, and black casual sneakers.

He looked better, and because he was being nice to me, I told him so. “You clean up good.”

Pollux narrowed his eyes on me before he jerked his chin toward the door. I didn’t need to be told twice; I left the room and waited for him to lead on. As we walked and walked, I had a feeling that wherever you went in this house, it took a while to get there, and when we took the stairs down toward the front door, I got the insane feeling that he was going to let me go.

I should have known better.

Unfortunately, just before we approached the huge double-wide entry, he took a sharp left, leading to the room with the excessive number of sofas. He threw himself down onto one, lying back and getting comfortable. I carefully sat in a lone wingback chair, and when he pulled out a remote seemingly from nowhere, I watched in interest as he pressed a button and the ground began to rise.

A huge TV rose from the floor, and I gaped.

Holy shit. That was awesome.

Pollux scrolled through the channels and settled on a popular reality show. I was well accustomed to the show. I was just surprised he liked it too.

We watched on in silence until the front door opened, then closed, and another man approached wearing sweats and a hoodie. Pollux looked over at the man, then back at the TV. “Where were you?”

The man unzipped his jacket. “I was at the gym, which is exactly where you should be, ya lazy shit.” He shrugged off the hood, and I blinked at him, flummoxed. He glared at the man on the sofa. “You’re letting down the brand, Pol.”

A quick glance from one to the other had my brows rising.

Oh God. There were two of them.

Pollux muttered, “As you can see, I’m babysitting,” and his twin finally noticed me.

But when he did, his eyes washed over me slowly, admiringly, and when he spoke, his voice had lowered a notch. “Damn. I’ll babysit.” He grinned, and I’ll admit, it was quite stunning. He then patted his lap and uttered a husky, “Come on over, baby. Sit.”