“Good boy.” I tossed the head behind me, uncaring of where it landed, and moved over to Sonja.
“You and I are going to develop a rough, if not equally opportunistic, friendship. You might not like it, but with the information I’m willing to share, I’m sure you’ll be able to look right past it. You might be the weaker of the one you serve, but only physically. It’s what you carry up here”—I tapped my temple with my index finger—“that makes you a force to be reckoned with.”
She swallowed, the sound loud in the quiet room. “Joseph—”
“Will allow it. He’s going to get the request from the ruler of the city, which means he doesn’t have the authority to say no. Expect my call in the next few days. We have a lot of work to do.”
Pivoting as I returned the blade to my back, I saw that Disco had made it to his feet. He was a bit wobbly, but the purple tint that marred his skin was gone. He opened his arms, and I felt my eyes burn as I finally caved in to the emotions I’d kept so long at bay.
I loved him, more than anything else in the world. However, I also knew that despite my declaration, things were going to change between us. I had done something most lovers would never forgive. When he found out, our relationship might never be the same.
Forcing such thoughts aside, I rushed into the paradise that was his embrace, relishing the scents of cloves and cinnamon. So damned thankful to be back in the arms of the man I had taken for granted for too fucking long.
“Christ, I’ve missed you,” he murmured into my hair. “Where have you been? What the hell have you been doing?”
“It’s a really, really long story,” I murmured into his chest. “I’ll tell you about it when we get home.”
“Home?” He pulled away, looking me in the eye. “Are you trying to tell me something?”
Before I’d left Disco for that last time, I’d told him I couldn’t promise to live with him at his home, needing my own personal space. Having lost him, I quickly learned I didn’t want to miss a single moment with the man. It was ironic, in retrospect, as when he learned about what Paine and I had done, the invitation might be revoked. Until it was, however, I was willing to put my heart on the line.
“I’m ready to pack my bags and move in, if that’s what you want.” As a smile spread across his face, I felt that sharp slice of betrayal in my own heart. “But there’s a lot we have to talk about. There’s a lot you need to know.”
“It doesn’t matter.” He pulled me into his chest again. “We’re together now.”
Breaking down wasn’t part of the plan, but I almost did. Eager to get my shit together, I turned to the vampires. I stopped draining their power and returned my attention to Disco.
“I need to tell you what’s happened, but not here.”
“Let’s go home?” He waited, undoubtedly wanting to hear it again.
“Yeah.” I glanced over my shoulder at the carnage I had caused, and said, “Let’s go home.”
Chapter Eighteen
The drive home was odd, to say the least. Goose and Disco wanted to ask questions, I could feel it, but they didn’t. I was grateful for the time I had as I tried to figure out what in the hell I was going to say. If Disco was willing to forgive me, how would we move forward in our relationship? As we entered his home, the first person to greet us wasn’t Nala, but Paine. I had to keep my emotions in check. I knew how he felt, but for him, nothing had changed. His alarm and displeasure at our presence was apparent, and he shocked all of the members of the household, who had assembled as they waited, when he yanked me from Disco’s arms and demanded an audience.
“We need to talk.”
“Later,” Disco said as he attempted to pull me back.
“No, Gabriel. Rhiannon and I have to talk—now.”
“It’s okay.” I placated Disco with a soft brush of my fingers across his face. “Go upstairs and wait for me.”