“It was implied.”
“What would you have me do? Cole needs to understand that Constantine isn’t fucking about, especially after this shitstorm. Please, Dev. Can I make it up to you next week?”
“How so?” he asks.
“I don’t know. I am sure you will think of something suitable to your needs,” I say, not in the mood for a negotiation.
“Oh, of that I have no doubt,” he says with just a hint of menace. He wouldn’t dare to outright defy me, though.
“Very well. Let me off the hook for tonight and you get to thinking,” I wheedle with my most charming smile and a trailing hand to his arm that makes him glow.
“Fine,” he says gruffly. “But I expect nothing less than your undivided attention and everything that I ask you to do.”
I raise my eyebrow at him and he back tracks. “I mean everything I ask to do to you,” he says quickly.
“Done,” I say. He leans down to kiss me to seal the deal. “Now I must go. Just sit with her.”
I watch him as he walks back to her and takes her arm again. She beams at him and they walk back to the house, leaving me with Scott, who very quickly excuses himself, and Lincoln and Xane.
“Well, Liv. I have to say, you don’t half get yourself into some fucking awkward situations. Does trouble just follow you around or do you seek it out?” Lincoln asks me with a small chuckle.
I roll my eyes at him. “Both, probably. Never a dull moment and all that.” He comes to hug me and says, “Go and sort out your charge, but I do still need to talk to you, soon
.” I nod, grateful that he is just being perfect, understanding, no-drama Lincoln.
I, however, am probably not getting away with anything so easily with Xane. He has thus far been remarkably silent since we left Vegas. Probably trying to see what everyone’s roles are here and taking it all in.
“I, too, need to talk to you soon,” he says, his piercing blue eyes on mine. “We have much to discuss and even more so in light of this…evening,” he says, heeding my warning of not bringing the subject up. “I have watched the group. I see the dynamics of your relationships and it is interesting. However…” he trails off, leaving his next words to my imagination.
“I will come and find you, I promise. Just go with Lincoln now, please.”
He nods slowly. “Fine. But don’t leave it too long.”
My turn to nod. They both go and I Astral to my bedroom where I find Cole waiting on the balcony with his arms crossed and his face grim.
CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED SIXTY
“Before you say anything, I have told him off for what he did and have given him an ultimatum to go and think about,” I say.
“What kind of ultimatum?”
“Nothing of relevance to you but it is to him. He will back off, I assure you.”
Cole turns to me with an incredulous look. “Really? You are still keeping secrets? Fuck, Liv. I really don’t know how much longer I can do this.”
“Not a secret. Just something for him to go and think about,” I reassert. “Cole, I’m going to tell you this once. Do not let him provoke you into doing something rash. He has played this game for over two thousand years. He knows what he’s doing. He is waiting for you to strike but you cannot do that. I’m stressing this because he will annihilate you and that is the last thing I want. You need to let it go, please. I love you, I love him but you’re both making this very difficult for me. I’ve warned him and now I’m warning you. Back the fuck off from him,”
His incredulous look from before has turned to one of stone. I can see him grinding his teeth as he takes in what I’ve said.
“He pushes my buttons,” he complains.
“I know that but you play into it. Please, Cole, let it go.”
He hesitates but then he nods. “Fine. I will try.”
“Try hard,” I order him. “Now will you just fucking kiss me and do what you said you would do?”
“Gee, how can a guy resist an offer like that?”