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Since Nereid accepted Elena’s challenge some weeks ago, he’s been as unstable as a ticking fucking time-bomb, ready to detonate at any moment. Though he managed to keep his temper in check while we were in Rome to celebrate Remus’ official coronation as the new Russo Leader, and find a new second Heir, whatever hold he had on himself disappeared as soon as we came back.
Without even sparing a glance for her consort, she waves her hand in a dismissive gesture. “Let it go, Liam.”
As with most days, Gus and I are following them from the sidelines. Our heads turning from one to the other, like we’re watching a ping-pong match.
“No.” Having had enough of her attitude, I speak up. “I want to know that, too. Why did you accept? It’s common knowledge that you’re the Drákon Heiress, but you’re also my fucking wife. So I don’t think it’s too much to ask why you accepted the challenge.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I catch Liam’s grateful head bob.
“Why is it you think I’m going to answer you?” The way she practically spits that tells me she still hasn’t forgiven me for calling out Nadia’s name while she was riding my cock.
I can agree that was a bit fucked up, sure—but not more so than holding my subconscious against me. “Get off your fucking pedestal,” I growl. “I’ve apologized, I’ve explained, and I kind of feel that’s all I can do. Unlike you,Ididn’t do or say anything to punishyou,I was fucking asleep.”
Acacia stubbornly lifts her chin, deliberately looking at something behind me.
“That challenge wasn’t from Elena, so she had to,” Gus says, sounding like the time that’s passed has aged him twenty years. “Did you not recognize my mom’s proverbial shadow behind her as she pulls the strings attached to her last puppet?”
My wife remains quiet while we continue to talk about the challenge, the implications, and what Elena and Marian’s plans might be. The less she says, the more enraged Liam becomes.
“Why the fuck do you have to act like a martyr?” he shouts, getting in her face. She barely flinches as he brings his hand down on the table in front of her. “Is this you thinking you’re going to make some kind of fucked up sacrifice? Because if that’s your plan, I have news for you. It’s. Not. Going. To. Happen.”
I can’t be the only one who notices the way she literally stiffens at Liam’s words. Her shoulders are tense around her ears, and she’s wrapped her arms around herself as though she needs to physically hold herself together. The way the two of them are on the outs is… it’s fucking ridiculous. It makes me want to smash their heads together and make them see sense.
“What’s really going on here?” I question. When no one answers me, I get up and open the door so I can give the guard new instructions.
I pitch my voice low so the others don’t hear me as I hand him a key and instruct him to lock the door from the outside, and to only let us out when I say so. By the grave look on his face, I know he’s heard what I’m not saying, no interruptions or exceptions.
“Right, there we go. Now no one is leaving my office until I say so.” When three pairs of incredulous eyes shoot in my direction, I add, “And just for the record, there’s no food in here. Plenty of alcohol, but not even a stale cracker on this side of the door.”
Since I usually keep something in my drawers, this wouldn’t normally be true, but today it is. My assistant had to stay and work during the lunch break and didn’t have any time to restock which makes this the perfect day to have them all locked in my office.
Without acknowledging or returning their heated glares, I sit down on the couch and stretch my legs, letting out a yawn as I cross my arms over my chest and close my eyes. It’s been a fucking long day, a long few weeks, and if no one is going to talk, I might as well get some sleep.
“Are you for real?” Gus asks.
When I don’t bother opening my eyes or answering, Liam says, “Of course he fucking is. Locking us in here like we’re misbehaving kids.” I could be wrong, but it almost sounds like he’s close to smiling.
Still, my nereid remains quiet, and I don’t like that one bit.
“Fuck. This. I’m going to call for help.” The bite in Gus’ voice makes me smile as I imagine him pulling his phone out only to discover… “Motherfucker! Why is there no signal?”
Yep, this room can be as private as I want it. I’m almost disappointed that the Drákon Heir doesn’t know that the disruption is caused by a product they’ve developed.
“This would be kind of pointless if you could all continue ignoring each other and glare at your screens,” I unhelpfully say, unable to keep the smirk out of my voice.
A few hours go by, and both my nereid and her consort cling to their stubborn silence, barely even moving at all. I should have known that hunger wouldn’t be enough to smoke them out, I know that’s something all three have dealt with for four years.
Yeah, definitely a stupid oversight on my part.
Finally, having had enough of this, I get up from the couch and roam around in one of my desk drawers, looking for the legal papers my Guardian has prepared for me. It’s not something I ever thought I was ever going to use, and I’m still hoping I don’t have to, but that doesn’t mean I won’t.
I didn’t fucking agree to this immature bullshit.
“Right,” I say as I throw the folder on the table in front of Nereid. “You’ll notice I’ve already signed these papers, you know, just in case.”
Acacia barely reacts as she looks over the annulment papers I never thought I’d be serving her. The only outwardly show that I’ve surprised her is her hitched breath.
“What’s that?” Liam asks, sounding confused.
