“Faulty connection?” he drawled, his lids hooding.
My brows rose slowly. “Apparently.” I tilted my head to the bathroom. “Shall we try this again?”
His nostrils flared and he opened the door wide, stating softly, “Come into my lair.”
I flicked him a glance, and then stepped inside easily, waiting until he shut the door. “Do that shit on me again, and you will soon be forgetting things, too.” I continued when he opened his mouth. “All it takes is you all nice and comfortable, peacefully unaware, like in your sleep, and you won’t know I was even there.” I pointed a finger at him. “I like you, too, and people don’t do that shit to who they like.” I glared as his mouth shut slowly. “Now, who do you want me to contact…again?”
He stood frozen for long moments, eyeing me closely, a slow perusal, and then he stated evenly, “Elder Zeller.”
I blinked ever so slowly. “Huh.” That was all I said, face neutral, then turned my back to him, and did as requested, seeing Elder Zeller on screen in a darkly furnished room, but laced with gold here and there, pacing, appearing all types of put out, then I turned to Elder Farrar, stating, “Like I said, don’t do that shit anymore.”
“Tony?” Elder Zeller’s voice instantly behind me, his deep tone worried.
Elder Farrar’s eyes flicked behind me. “Just a moment, precious.” Golden eyes came back to mine, and hardened…like I had never seen before on him…and I saw my own death hanging in the balance as he hissed, “I do like you, Ms. Jules, but like will only get you so fucking far. I will know if you ever breathe a word of this to anyone, and if you do, I will hunt you down…even here…and I will kill Sin right in front of you…then the other you care for…then leave you in a shallow grave, with them, for the rest of your damn life, buried in the darkness with their rotting corpses where no one will ever find you, not even your One since you have that lovely protection over you…and I’ll spell it just right, so anytime you try to use the diamond…it will instantly pull you back.” Golden brows lifted the barest bit. “Understand, Ms. Jules?” Golden eyes flicked between mine. “Or do you wish to forget?”
I swallowed slowly, and asked carefully, and evenly, “Did you give me the choice before?”
“No.”
I stared at him, feeling low. “I realize it’s practically hereditary, but Royals don’t always have to be such assholes.” I moved to the door. “Of course I won’t tell.” I glanced to the screen. “It’s good to see you, Elder Zeller. Enjoy your time together.” My gaze flicked to Elder Farrar, held for a moment, then, decision made when he remained silent, I stated clearly, “Elder Samson will be taking your place as point guard. You obviously haven’t learned a damn thing I’ve been trying to teach you.”
One slow word. “What?”
“Not even touching on the fact I’d considered you a respected friend, and mentor, you threatened those I care for when I had not done the same. I only threatened eye for an eye, even after you had already violated my trust in you. You automatically assumed, and I thought we were past that.” I held his furious gaze steadily. “My decision stands.” Hand on the door handle, I murmured, “I do realize individuals can become stuck in their ways, but do try to learn something while you’re here.” I walked out and shut the door behind me softly.
I was pouring a small glass of water for my antibiotic when the bathroom door opened across the room, and Elder Farrar poked his head out, stating, “I’m sorry.”
I waved an absent hand, ignoring how everyone was staring. “Thank you for the apology, but my decision stands.”
“Ms Jules,”
“No.” I interrupted him, taking my pills stiffly before glancing to him, my gaze as cold as I felt for him. “Finish your call, Elder Farrar. There are others waiting.”
He held my gaze, jaw clenched, then nodded once, closing the door.
“Love?” Sin asked casually from our bed, lying his crossword puzzle down.
All I had to do was meet his gaze.
Instantly, his own hardened, just as cold as mine.
This was where everyone underestimated us. Sure, we were entertaining. Absolutely, we were spontaneous. Unfortunately—sometimes, we had the misfortune of in-your-face fighting. But…when we knew of a real threat ahead of time…we calculated, waited…watched…and planned.
And he knew only one thing could put this look in my eyes, and vice versa.
His head cocked slightly, emerald green eyes cold as frosted baby grass. “Probability?”
My own voice was void. “Slim to none.” After all, there was always the possibility I could be spelled for the information, even if I would never freely speak of it.
He nodded casually once, and picked his crossword back up without another word, and continued working on it.
I placed my glass in the sink, and moved through the silent room, holding my stomach gingerly, ignoring their stares, and opened the sliding door to the balcony and stepped outside, not bothering to close it behind me. Again, since we were still heading north on the coastline, the view was lush and gorgeous, the afternoon sun—not quiet setting—was dangling just over the ocean, the white sand of the beaches sparkling as if mixed with the diamonds spirits loved so well. I moved to the railing, past Elder Samson and placed my arms on it, and stared, trying to see the beauty of it. I hated—more than hated, feeling like a gnawing in my stomach—when I lost all respect for someone I had started to genuinely care for, and knowing they didn’t respect me when I had truly tried. I knew his reasoning for doing it…but I didn’t agree whatsoever.
After a few minutes of staring, I stated quietly, “It should be beautiful.”
I heard the bottle swish behind me, and Elder Samson grunted. “Yes, it should be.”
Continuing to stare, I ran a hand over my face, stating clearly, “You’re taking over Elder Farrar’s position as point guard.” I knew those inside could hear, since they were still silent, eavesdropping pathetically.
He didn’t say anything for long moments until he cleared his throat, and then murmured humbly, “He’s better than me.”
“He’s more powerful than you, not better than you.” I watched as a child played with a kite on the beach, the breeze that was ruffling my hair in irritation also making the child laugh as he stared up at his toy. “There is a difference.”
It sounded like he was tapping his glass bottle on the wooden lounge. “Okay.”
“That’s a yes?”
“It is.”