Reaper (Dark in You 8)

Knowing where the harpy’s mind had gone, Levi said, “You’re better off without him, Lark.”

“I know.” She gave her head a fast shake. “We’re not talking about me and my anchor, though. We’re talking about you and Piper.” Her tone warned him not to press her.

Levi inwardly sighed, aware that pushing the harpy on this would get him nowhere. She rarely spoke of her anchor, and he couldn’t say he blamed her.

“Piper will come round,” Larkin went on. “You’ll allow nothing less.”

“True. My only real concern is that Whitney and Joe might not back her on this. They love her, but they let her down sometimes. Not necessarily on purpose. They’re so focused on keeping the peace that they tiptoe around Celeste’s feelings, inadvertently making Piper feel that hers come second to them. Though I don’t think they even see it.”

Larkin gave him a pointed look. “You need to be prepared for how badly Celeste is going to take that you’re Piper’s anchor.”

Annoyance fluttered through him. “I don’t care how Celeste will feel about it.”

“I don’t mean prepare yourself for her sake, idiot, I mean for Piper’s. You can’t properly support your anchor through this if you’re not prepared for what’s coming. Celeste is going to freak. That’s what she does when things don’t go her way—and they won’t, because you’ll refuse to abandon Piper.”

Too fucking right he would.

“How you handle Celeste is important. It has to break Whitney and Joe’s hearts that their girls don’t get along. It’s highly unlikely that they’ll welcome anyone into their family—and that’s what you’re meant to be from here on out, a part of the family—who makes that worse.”

Levi tensed. “They won’t keep me out of Piper’s life.”

“I doubt they’d try. But you’d be at odds with them. Sides could form. They may not invite you to parties or other events. Piper will be the one who suffers for that. Like it or not, you’re going to need to be tactful in dealing with Celeste. Let her be the bad guy in front of others. Let her be seen as unreasonable and selfish. Be the rational and fair one. Defend Piper, but don’t let Celeste draw you into pointless arguments.”

He felt his jaw tighten. “You’re essentially asking me to dance around Celeste’s feelings and what she’ll do.”

“No, I’m asking you to consider how everything will affect Piper, and then tailor your reactions to suit her—no one else. But, Levi, don’t wangle your way into Piper’s life unless you’re absolutely certain right down to your bones that no amount of drama will make you decide to walk away from her.”

Anger spiked through him. “You really think I’d abandon my own anchor?”

“Hey, it happens sometimes—I know that from personal experience. And although I don’t believe you would do that, I’m saying it anyway, because I like Piper. I wouldn’t want to see her hurt.”

His anger drained away. Of course Larkin would worry about that, given her own circumstances. Really, he liked that she was looking out for Piper. Larkin was family to him, just as Knox and the other sentinels were. They’d formed a family of sorts when they met in an orphanage for demonic children centuries ago.

“Neither would I,” he told Larkin. “I appreciate you being protective of her. I hope you’ll welcome her into our circle just as easily as you did Harper.”

Larkin frowned, as if he was dumb for assuming differently. “Of course I will. We all will. If she’s important to you, she’s important to all of us. That’s how we roll.”

“I know. But, to paraphrase you, I’m saying it anyway because I don’t want to see her hurt.”

“And with you as her anchor, I’m quite certain she won’t often be—you’ll do your level best to make sure her life runs smoothly from now on. I’m glad of that. She needs someone who’s all about her.” Larkin gave him a supportive smile. “Good luck with everything. I don’t doubt that you’ll succeed in making her accept you and the bond sometime soon. I know exactly what a stubborn, perseverant bastard you can be. She’ll see it for herself in due time.”

That she would.

He and Larkin talked a little while longer, and then she headed off to Knox and Harper’s home, since she would temporarily act as the male Prime’s personal bodyguard.

Intending to drop in on Piper, Levi headed out. He’d just slid into his car when Knox’s mind brushed against his.

I know I said you should take time off, but this is something you’d want to know, the Prime telepathed, his tone dark and laced with warning. Possibly even something you might want to involve yourself in. If so, I’ll respect that.

Levi felt his brows dip. All right.

Diem Cartwright was murdered in her home, Knox revealed, referring to a member of their lair.