“Well, good thing you wear the robe, buddy. I’m just saying.” As soon as the words leave my mouth, I hear how horrible they sound. But that’s not at all how I meant it.
Grim blinks his gray eyes at me several times, seemingly at a loss for words. I slap my palm to my forehead. “That came out wrong.” I reach for his forearm. Remembering the day in the kitchen when I touched him just like this and he pulled back from me, I remove my arm before he can.
“You’re seriously beautiful.” I stare into his face, making sure he sees how truthful I’m being. “I was just taken by surprise, I mean…” I wave my hand up and down, encompassing his entire being. “Wow!” It’s all I can say.
“Really?” Grim’s lips lift in a slow grin before he smothers it. “Why did you ask to speak with me alone? Would you like me to tell the others to go?”
“No, no. They’re fine,” I say, dismissing the thought of them leaving and asking Grim if he would like to finish where Calix and I left off. “I guess I don’t know why I wanted to talk to you alone. Let’s get back out there. They’ve been on their own for too long, and it’s too quiet.”
Grim holds out his elbow to me in an offer. I wrap my fingers over his arm, happy that he initiated the touch this time.
As we enter the foyer, Calix and Gunnar are separated by several feet, each ignoring the other’s presence. “Hey, this is my friend Grim. Grim, this is Gunnar and Calix.” I point to each of the men. “So…” I let the word trail off. I really don’t know what to do with three strange men in my house. When Uncle and Theius come to visit, I don’t want to tie them to chairs and have my way with them.
“Want to play cards?” I ask, sounding too hopeful.
“Cards?” Calix winces.
“I would be honored,” Grim intones.
“We need to talk,” Gunnar announces, crossing his arms over his chest.
“Not in mixed company,” I grate through my teeth.
Gunnar looks around. “Is there someone else here?”
I tilt my head toward Calix, probably not nearly as stealthy as I thought it would be because all three of them look at me sideways.
“Him?” Gunnar points at Calix.
I widen my eyes. Gunnar tilts his head back and laughs. “You dirty cheat, she doesn’t even know what you are!”
“Shut up, Berserker,” Calix grinds out.
“Wait, so you guys know each other?” I step away from Grim and back away from all three of them in the process.
I never once sensed any deception from any of them. How could I have let a little attraction and sexual frustration distract me so much? I was supposed to be figuring out why Gunnar had someone watching my house; instead, I invited Calix here and he’s already involved in this.
“You!” I seethe, while pointing my finger at Calix. “You’re involved in this, too?”
Calix’s eyes widen. “Involved in what?”
“And you,” I sneer at Grim. “I thought you were my friend.”
Grim looks around like he’s completely confused. “I am your friend, Damiana. I’ve been taking care of you for years.”
“You’ve been doing what?” Gunnar crosses his arms over his chest and glares at Grim.
The look Grim levels at Gunnar would stop most people from asking any more questions, but Gunnar doesn’t look deterred.
“You’ve been watching her for years. You think I didn’t sense either of you?” Grim includes Calix in the stare down.
“What the fuck is going on here?” I plant my hands on my hips. I hate that they’re making me second-guess everything I thought I knew.
“I kept to the bargain.” Calix steps closer to Grim, ignoring my question. His eyes catch the light, and they almost look like they’re lit from within. How could I have thought he was a human? “I checked on her a handful of times. You’ve both been with her all along?” Calix accuses.
“I never exposed myself to her. Not until he broke the covenant.” Grim points a finger at Gunnar.
“I didn’t mean to come here,” Gunnar defends himself with a shade of indignation. “I was ambushed by a coven. I thought I was finally fucking dying, so I jumped here. It wasn’t even intentional.”
