Chapter 1 #2
I hear what he’s saying, but it really doesn’t reassure me.
I get lost in my thoughts, thinking about upcoming DNA tests, seeing the rest of the circus, and getting to know Link better.
I don’t really pay attention to everything around me, so it’s a surprise when Caspian squeezes my hand to get my attention.
“Lila, honey?” I’m shocked to find myself in the waiting room of Link’s office.
Caspian has a concerned frown on his face, and Josa is sneering at me.
I guess I definitely didn’t make a friend by asserting my authority last night.
The mind-blowing, moan inducing oral probably didn’t really help either.
“Here to flaunt the rules again, human?” he questions sarcastically, but when I gaze around the room, I see no one’s waiting.
“What is your problem?” I snap in irritation, and his eyebrows jump in surprise before he fortifies himself and barks back.
“Link has been promised to me, so keep your filthy fucking hands off him. Sure, you may get him to fuck you, but he can’t commit to you, so why don’t you do us both a favor and just find someone else.” His words are so full of venom that I recoil, and dread sits heavily in my stomach.
Shit.
Have I been physical with a taken man? No wonder this guy has been so pissy since I stepped foot in here. Should I apologize? I’m floundering, this information adding to my already distressed state, when Link steps out of his exam room.
“Oh, for fuck’s sake, Josa, I’ve told you that I have no intentions of being involved with you.
My mother cannot promise my hand in marriage no matter what she thinks.
” Link sounds exasperated and annoyed, like he’s said this to Josa countless times before, but his words are reassuring, and I breathe a sigh of relief.
I roll my eyes when the realization hits me.
How did I manage to attract two men who have the most fucked up and delusional people interested in them?
First Dylan and then Josa. Now, though, I know the truth so I can fight back.
“I happen to like having his hands on me, and his mouth, tongue, and fingers too. I can’t wait to get at his dick as well.
You might want to block your ears, Josa.
Link asked me to be quiet yesterday, but I’m going to let you in on a little secret…
I like to be loud.” I breeze past him, letting him assume I’m here to fuck Link’s brains out.
Link holds the door open for Caspian and me, and as we walk past, I deliberately run my fingers across his stomach, his abs rock-hard beneath his uniform.
Turning back, I wink at the jealous prick behind the reception desk.
That’s right, I’m making friends all over this ship.
Thankfully one of the jealous pricks has already been evicted.
When the doors close behind me, I lose the flirty act and jump up on the exam table, taking a seat. I close my eyes and rub my temples, trying to get a handle on my thoughts. It’s disconcerting that I’ve been doubting every decision I’ve made since I woke up this morning.
“Well this is a nice surprise. I hadn’t expected to see you again so soon. What can I do for you both?” Link smiles at us as if the last three minutes with Josa didn’t happen.
“Could you please examine Lila to make sure she isn’t under any spells?” Caspian requests bluntly, and Link frowns before nodding.
“I can. Is there any reason why she might be?”
Thankfully Caspian is able to coherently express my rambling to Link while I’m so overwhelmed, not to mention my head is now thumping too.
I’m not afraid of conflict, but it’s becoming a regular occurrence and it’s fraying my nerves.
I must make sure to drink some more water from Skarr, but I really think it’s emotional overload that’s causing the pain.
“I’m afraid Dylan’s deception and how easily she has accepted all of this has her questioning herself.
She says it is out of character for her to be so trusting, and she is worried she’s accepting this all without thought because she’s being influenced.
” I can hear the slight hurt in Caspian’s words, and it’s the last thing I want him to feel.
I shake my head at him. “I didn’t mean to hurt you, Caspian.
I love what we have despite the unexpected start of our relationship, and I can’t wait to get to know you better, but I have to know.
I have to know that I am of the Adams’ bloodline, and I have to make sure that I haven’t been coerced before I go any further.
” I know I’m not explaining myself properly, and I see the hurt in Caspian’s eyes continue to grow, but when my gaze drifts to Link, his expression tells me he understands.
“No, I get it. I heard Josa telling you what my mother has promised him, so I completely understand wanting to have free will. Come on, it’s a quick scan, and then you will know for sure.”
He parts my legs like he’s done the last few times and steps close.
I can’t stop the shiver of awareness that shoots down my spine at the contact.
Memories from the other night flash in front of my eyes like a movie preview, and it’s all I can do to grit my teeth and hold in the moan that threatens to escape.
His silver eyes swirl as he scans my body.
“My program is designed to pick up physical and metaphysical issues. I never thought to scan for spells before because nobody had given me any reason. I also know how long your grandparents have been searching for you. This is not a small thing. I think the lawyers were slightly incompetent because it has been years, Lila, years, since they started looking for you. They’d just about given up hope.
I had John in here a number of times over the years for grief counseling for both his wife and your parents, but also because of you.
The decision to leave you behind has haunted them.
They have been happier this last week than we have seen them in a long time.
” Link’s eyes continue to scan as he talks.
“He’s not wrong, babe. They really have been different men this week.
All those looks you’ve been getting while walking around the ship with them were not solely aimed at you, even though it may have felt that way.
The Adams men have been unapproachable and decidedly unfriendly for a long time, except to a few select people.
Seeing them happy and laughing is probably a big relief for everyone involved.
Hopefully they’ll be more approachable for the general circus population and we won’t have to be mediators. ” Caspian gestures to himself and Link.
“You’ve been running interference?” The information from Link about my grandads catches me off guard.
“Yeah. The two of us as well as Xavier and Saxon. It’s why your grandpas trusted you with Xavier when he scares so many others.
He’s basically been a grandson to them, helping them with all aspects of running the ship since he’s been on it.
People don’t argue when he appears, all mysterious and shrouded in mist, crackling with power, they just do as they are told.
” My heart melts a little more toward the powerful man at this little tidbit.
He doesn’t sound as bad as Dylan made him out to be.