“Thank you.” The reply is automatic.
Ursa’s gaze flicks to the collar around my neck. “I didn’t realize you were a patron of the Underworld.”
Neither Beast nor Gaeton seem that inclined to jump in, but it’s just as well. At the end of the day, they are generals and I’m the sister of the new territory leader. I have to be able to stand on my own, or run the risk of telegraphing a weakness that will have sharks circling, scenting blood in the water. Ursa’s already at our doorstep. We can’t afford to have anyone else sniffing around. “It’s a recent development, brought along by a mutual interest.” I lean back a little, letting Beast and Gaeton’s strength cushion me on either side. “I’m sure you understand.”
“With those two delicious specimens, no one can blame you.” She finally gives the men her full attention. “It is both of you, isn’t it? I would hate to see another situation like before, where you’re hauling these boys around by their heartstrings. It’s an entertaining spectacle, but hardly sends the message of strength.”
“Ursa.” I draw on every bit of training I’ve had growing up, knowing how to wield words as effectively as my men wield weapons. “I would think our current situation speaks for itself.”
Her smile widens as if I’ve delighted her by daring to push back. “I suppose we’ll see, won’t we? Have a good night, Isabelle. The Underworld has a number of delights to offer. It’d be a shame if you left without partaking.”
I match her smile, feeling more than a little vicious. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”
“Wonderful.” She nods at Beast and Gaeton and then strides to the bar where Malone waits, having watched the whole thing.
I don’t let myself relax. “No going back now.”
“There never was, princess.” Beast laces his fingers through mine and lifts our joined hands to press a kiss to my knuckles. “Don’t worry about performing. Just trust us to take you through it.”
As if it’s that easy. Maybe it is that easy for them.
I glance up at Gaeton, but he’s back to shielding his thoughts from me. It’s just as well. This isn’t the time or place for the conversation we need to have. I don’t know when the time and place is, though. I don’t have the answers he obviously needs. He doesn’t know if he has the forgiveness I crave. We are an unmitigated mess.
Beast squeezes my hand. “Ready?”
No. Not in the least. And yet a part of me is more than happy to nod, to do anything to muffle the thoughts crowding in, threatening to suffocate me. “I’m ready.”
“Then let’s go.”
Chapter 20
Isabelle
Beast moves to let me out of the booth as a familiar-looking Black woman walks up. I frown. I know I’ve seen her before, but it’s fuzzy. She’s slim with blue hair and is wearing a short white dress that leaves her mile-long legs bare. Her toes are painted a bright blue to match her hair and she gives me a sunny smile. “You probably don’t remember me, but I’m Aurora.”
“Hello.” I glance at the men, but they both have their expressions locked down. “Was your hair pink before?”
“Yep.” She shoots them a look that’s both friendly and one of warning. This, I recognize. She’s another friend who isn’t pleased with recent events but cares for them nonetheless. “The room’s ready for you, gentleman.”
At this, Gaeton cracks a lazy arrogant smile. “Aw, Aurora, don’t ice us out. You know you can’t stay mad at us long.”
“That remains to be seen,” she says primly, but she looks like she’s fighting a smile. “This way, please.”
One last look at my men and then I follow her to the door leading deeper into the club. She leads the way through the main room, moving quickly enough that I don’t have a chance to see more than a flash of skin, hear the heavy thud of a paddle hitting flesh. Then we’re in the hallway interspersed with many doors. Deeper and deeper into the hallway, until she finally opens a normal-looking door.
I step inside and look around. It’s … “A locker room?”
“Hmm? Yes.” She grins. “Who hasn’t fantasized about fucking the quarterback after the football game?”
I manage a smile of my own. “Guilty.”
“We also use it to store some of the extra stuff. These lockers aren’t just for show.” She makes a face. “Though they smell better than the real thing.”
I like her. I have no doubt in my mind that she’s fucked both the men I love—I suspect Tink has, too—but I like her. “You aren’t happy with Beast and Gaeton.”
Aurora looks like she considers whether to play naïve, but finally shrugs. “I know enough of the details to know that they haven’t gotten over you. Just like I know that revenge fucking you, or whatever it is they think they’re doing, is only going to complicate things further. They should know better than to scene when they’re angry, but they’re ignoring the rules they don’t want to deal with.”