Chapter 41 #2
The words sink in, and my thoughts run wild. They get closer with each assignment to discovering that Crew is working with them—that we are—and my gut twists.
“Shit, Crew,” I respond. “That means they’re getting closer to finding out that you have something to do with it.”
“I thought that as well, but they won’t,” he says. “I’ll make sure of that.”
Crew remains calm as I watch him rinse the soap off his body. I take my turn under the water in silence, trying to quiet my mind.
My stomach churns as I turn off the shower, stepping out to wrap a towel around my body and toss one to Crew. He shakes the water from his hair while I dry off, dropping the towel again to run it through my soaking wet hair.
“So, we get to go to the bar together? To what? Warn him?” I ask.
He grins. “Yes, and to have somewhat of a normal night.”
I turn, pressing my chest against his. “I doubt we are ever going to be normal.”
“This is.”
I feel his steady heartbeat, the dark calm flowing through his veins, and I savor this moment—the silence, the togetherness of us in my room—uncaring about the chaos that follows us. The room is quiet except for our breaths mingling, which makes the bond hum with pleasure.
“Do you have an outfit for tonight? We’ll be in the pit.”
“Of course I do, Bannermin. How dare you doubt me?”
He smiles. “Oh, I have never doubted you, Mara.”
I turn on my heels and walk into the bedroom, freezing in place. Crew follows closely behind, bumping into my back, and I use my body to shield his nakedness from view.
The fiery red hair catches my eye first, followed by Bronwyn's casual lean against my windowsill. Her face flashes amusement as I stand there, completely shocked and nude. A wide grin spreads across her face as her eyes leave mine, landing on the 6’4 demon heir standing behind me.
“Well,” her calm tone floats around the room. “Isn’t this… interesting?”
“What are you doing here?” I ask.
She pushes off the windowsill and crosses her arms. “Your window was wide open, and I heard you were back from your assignment.”
“I wasn’t aware you would stop by,” I reply.
“I wasn’t aware you brought the assignment home.”
She smiles, and I do too.
“Nice to meet you, Crew.” Bronwyn angles her head to look around me. “All of you.”
“Oh, for fucks sake,” I snap.
Crew tries to move forward, extending his hand. “Nice to meet…”
I stop him, pushing him back into the bathroom. Bronwyn laughs maniacally, and I slam the door shut.
“What?” he says.
“First off, your fucking dick is out.”
He glances down, as if he forgot he was completely naked.
“Secondly, her twin brother is Talon. Shaw and Talon have been together for years,” I whisper, and Crew nods. “Don’t say a word about Shaw. I can’t make myself believe she has anything to do with this.”
“Do you trust her?” he asks.
“Yes.”
Crew nods again, and I slip out of the bathroom, leaving him to get dressed before formally meeting her. I walk out, indifferent to my nudity, and make my way to my dresser.
“Care to explain?” she asks, sitting on my bed.
I grab a loose T-shirt and some sleep shorts. “I think you’ve seen enough for minimal explaining.”
She chuckles. “Yeah, seeing Crew Bannermin’s balls wasn’t in my cards for today, but I’m not upset.”
“Oh, please.”
“You went from wanting to kill him to fucking him.” She chuckles again. “Sounds about right.”
“Bronwyn.”
“I want to know everything about the insane sex I’m sure you two have.”
I turn to her, my expression as hard as stone, and can’t stop the words from spilling out, even though I just told Crew to keep his mouth shut. It’s weighing on me, and I blurt it out.
“Is your brother a good person?”
Her face contorts, thrown off by the question. “I think so, yeah? And from how close you two have been over the years, I’d think you do as well.”
“Do you think Shaw is a good person?”
She shifts on the bed, uncomfortable and confused by my abrupt questioning, but continues anyway. “Where is this coming from?”
Crew steps back into the room in black pants, pulling his shirt over his head as he runs a towel through his damp hair. I cut my eyes in his direction, and he immediately feels the tension I just created.
“Way to go, Mara,” he says, tossing the towel. “Couldn’t help yourself, could you?”
Bronwyn stands and glances between the two of us as her mouth falls open.
“You two bonded.”
Oh, shit.
I snap the bond shut, completely forgetting to put on a shield, and Crew gives me a quick glance as the connection goes silent.
“Christ,” she mumbles. “Now you absolutely have to tell me what the fuck is going on.”
Crew steps forward, his towering frame leaning over Bronwyn, yet in her typical fashion, she shows no fear in confronting him. She crosses her arms and steps forward, tilting her head to glare into his eyes. The two of them in a fight would implode the world, and for some reason, I love this.
“Now, demon boy,” she says, poking his chest. “Fucking tell me.”
Crew grins, letting pure dark madness twist his expression. “Are you intimidated in the slightest?”
“By you?” she nearly laughs.
Crew nods.
“Fuck no.” Bronwyn narrows her eyes. “Mara and I eat men like you for a fucking snack most days.”
Crew blinks and takes a step back, glancing in my direction. “I like her. She’ll kill Damien.”
Here we go.
He spins around and walks toward me, letting me step forward to speak with her first. His hand rests against the small of my back, and I reopen the channel between us. Bronwyn’s eyes open wide, realizing the intensity of the bond.
So, I tell her.
Everything.
Afew hours later, I grow quiet, allowing the silence to fill the space that was once the lengthy conversation between the three of us.
Bronwyn’s crimson hair falls forward as her face sinks into her hands. She rises and rubs her temples, glancing between Crew and me.
“You two have a death wish. But in this case, it’s Mara’s dad.”
Crew stands, crossing his arms, “Did you know about Shaw?”
She huffs. “Are you fucking joking? Of course, I didn’t know any of that. He’s an evil prick.”
Crew glances at me. “Again, I like her.”
I walk toward her on the bed. “Do you think your brother knows?”
Bronwyn sighs. “No, he doesn’t. There is no way.”
I contemplate the words, trying to recall any past signs that would lead me to believe Talon was aware of this. Shaw is undeniably deceitful and excels at it. With everything I am, I can’t see Talon being okay with this ever happening.
“And you are certain?” Crew asks.
“I am.” Bronwyn’s voice remains steady.
“Alright then.” Crew sizes her up, stepping toward the door. “We need to prep for tonight.”
“Are you kicking me out?” she asks, angling her head.
“No,” Crew responds. “I’m telling you to either get in on the plan or get out.”
She glances between us and smiles.
Crew interprets that as a yes and approaches the desk, opening the folder containing all the information related to Otto.
“Alright then.” He clears his throat. “Bronwyn, I have a friend who would love to meet you tonight.”