Chapter 9
LOUIS
Madness is rare in individuals—but in groups, parties, nations, it is the rule. — Frederich Nietzsche
The house was quiet when we got back. Tempest had already run up the stairs to get changed, claiming she couldn’t stay one more minute in her dress and heels.
The TV was off, the alarm had been on, we were safe, but the sound of the clock in the corner ticking off the time was just another reminder that we didn’t have enough of it, not before all of this would go to hell.
This farce was so very temporary.
I locked the front door and set the alarm, kicked off my shoes, and spotted the black box on the kitchen counter like it had always been there when I knew it hadn’t.
Great. Already? What the hell was Cassian thinking?
I picked up the box. No note. No ribbon.
Just ominous packaging and the promise of super fun consequences later that evening.
Yay. Can’t wait.
With a curse, I cracked the lid open with two fingers and peered inside like it was a bomb about ready to go off.
Inside: a single vial and two slim white capsules.
I exhaled through my nose. “Another party favor. How thoughtful.”
Tempest’s voice floated in from the hallway. I smelled her citrus scent before she entered. “It’s for the meeting next week. You’ll need it.”
I turned, leaning on the counter. “Is it going to make my dick fall off? Or just rot slowly over time?”
She strolled in barefoot, wearing leggings and one of my black T-shirts like it was hers. Damn if she didn’t look fucking hot with how baggy it hung on her. “You’re so dramatic.”
I raised my eyebrows. “Says the woman drugging her husband.”
She rolled her eyes. “You knew what this was, Louis. Infiltrate. Learn what they’re hiding. Gain a few secrets on behalf of your wife. Play the game. Get out alive, live to see another day.”
“I’m playing it,” I said, holding up the vial.
“But maybe I’d like to know the rules before I end up with three nipples or a sudden urge to bark at the moon.
” I wasn’t stupid; I was just seeing how much she would actually reveal to me.
Did the kiss do anything? Did it make her want to share more?
Did it break any defense or were we currently on opposite ends of the chessboard still?
“I already know mine. It’s a win-win. Stop asking questions.”
I popped the cap off the vial with a dramatic sigh. “Fine. Cheers to healthy teeth and horse-level endurance.”
She narrowed her eyes.
“Just in case you can’t resist me and I need to put in the work. You understand.”
“I’ll try to rein it in,” she said dryly.
I tossed it back and made a face as the bitterness swamped my palate. “Ugh, tastes like shit, I prefer your mouth. Think you can relay that tidbit?”
“This isn’t a research project, Louis, but noted.” She smiled sweetly.
I returned her smile, and within a few seconds the entire room tilted.
I stumbled a bit toward her, then almost fell to my knees.
There was no warning, just complete inability to use my legs.
I knew they were there but they weren’t doing what I was asking of them.
Furthermore, I would feel them one second then the next I was numb.
“Louis?” Tempest’s voice snapped sharp. She rushed toward me. “Are you okay?”
I dropped to my knees. Groaned. Clutched my stomach. “Something’s wrong. I can’t feel my—”
She knelt beside me, hands shaking. “What did you feel? Is it your heart? Do I call Cassian—”
I opened one eye. Winked. “Made you slip and say his name.”
She punched me in the arm. “You asshole!”
In the commotion, she tripped over my leg, landing hard on top of me. Limbs tangled I could only grin up at her. “Nice way to die. Comfy.”
“God, what did my sister ever see in you?”
Low blow. “Charm. Good looks. Nice skin. Healthy teeth. Amazing kisser even though you’d never admit it out loud.”
Tempest narrowed her eyes. “Teeth? Are you a horse?”
I leaned in, nuzzling her neck, voice low and teasing. She shivered beneath my touch. “Does it feel like it?”
“Get off me.”
“Don’t want to.”
“Shouldn’t you be guarding me or something? Or at the very least attempting to get over whatever the hell you just took, or maybe working out so that you’re sharp when they test you?”
I glanced around, exaggerating the action.
“Protect you? From what? The mosquito in the corner? You’re not in any danger from everything else, I feel too shitty to even try to work out right now, and you know they’re all about psychological warfare.
Besides, I can hold my own in the ring.” I’d had to from a young age.
It was more about survival then: bleed, break, repeat, and survive.
She squinted at me, mouth twitching. “I don’t know. Those nipples look razor sharp with danger under that shirt. Hiding more weapons, I see.”
I sat up. Peeled off the shirt slowly. “Better?”
Tempest let out a laugh. “You’re right, you should rest up that brain, you already lack adequate cells.”
I tilted my head and looked up at the corner, at the blinking cameras. “Did you ever think your dad might have spies in this house watching us through those or that the Vescovi family already does?”
Her eyes widened. “Well… not until now. What could they possibly learn, though, other than we’re doomed before we even start.”
“They’ll already suspect us and you know your dad, despite our make-out session, isn’t totally buying it either, everybody has an angle in this business. We need to be more careful to make sure ours align.”
“You’re right.”
“Wow, say it louder.”
“Never.”
A knock echoed from the front door.
Once.
Twice.
Without thinking, I yanked her back into my lap.
“What are you doing?”
“Sorry,” I whispered against her jaw. “The present made me horny, plus if we have company we want them to think we don’t want to be disturbed.”
Then my smile faded as my blood roared to life in all the wrong places. I blinked.
And blinked again.
Oh, this was not good.
Not at all.
She squirmed in my lap.
“Nope.” I held her firm. “It did, it really did do something, what the hell was in that shot, Tempest?” I could hold her down. I could drink from her. I could strip her naked and pound so hard into her that she’d see stars. God that would be warm, it would feel so good.
Tempest froze. “You’re kidding.”
My skin felt hot all over, and no amount of deep breathing was stopping my elevated heart rate.
“Seriously, Tempest. I’m sweating. My teeth feel turned on. Touch me. Touch me. Please.”
She shoved at me, half-laughing, half-horrified. “You’ve lost your mind!”
“No,” I groaned. “You gave me something. Aphrodisiac. Or black magic. Maybe both. Help me before I hump the marble floor.” Now that was an idea.
Another knock sounded. Go away!
I groaned again, arms still locked around her. “If I answer the door with a boner I swear on all things sacred—”
She slapped a hand over my mouth. “Shut up.”
Her eyes burned with amusement…and something darker.
“Too late,” I said under my breath. “You’re already touching me.”