Chapter 11 Caveman Vibes
Dean
I rush down the stairs, fixing my cuffs as I go. I don’t want to face Anxo’s disappointed parent look because I’m late again.
I reach the last step and freeze at the sight before me.
My whole family is gathered in the living room, conversations overlapping in every corner. Seiji and Harvey are bickering over something completely unnecessary while Grace and Jackson watch. Jackson pulls out a box of popcorn from nowhere, and Grace grabs it like she’s starving.
It’s the best kind of chaos. I love it. My house is full of laughter and bickering for the first time since I built it.
August is running circles around Anxo’s chair while Nevaeh is sitting on the rug between his legs as he braids her hair into something intricate. Every time Anxo holds out his hand, August drops a flower into it, which Anxo weaves into the braid.
When Anxo is done, August cups Nevaeh’s cheeks in his tiny hands. “You look so pretty, Mama.”
Nevaeh pulls her little monkey into her arms, peppering kisses all over his face until he can’t breathe from laughing so hard.
When August spots me, he escapes his mother’s hold and runs over, wrapping his arms around my thighs, his cheek pressed against me.
He looks up at me with a blinding smile, mischief dancing in his eyes. My heart stutters at the sight. He might not share my daughter’s blood, but he’s a mini version of Nevaeh. Anyone who didn’t know August was adopted would swear he was Nevaeh and Anxo’s biological son.
He didn’t speak a word for months after they brought him home, but still had everyone wrapped around his finger. Blackburns are good at corrupting people and welcoming them to the dark side. It’s more fun here anyway.
August steps back and asks me to spin. I oblige, showing off the midnight-blue jacket I picked, its lapels covered in a subtle shimmer, like someone had dusted stardust over them. Silver embroidery winds along the sleeves, intricate enough that I don’t mind my markings being hidden tonight.
“What do you think? Do I look great or what?”
“Papa says your head will get too big if I continent you.”
I smother a laugh when I realize he means compliment. The kid is hilarious.
He motions for me to bend down, then he whispers conspiratorially, “Papa says girls don’t remember nice things about them, so we have to give Mama extra love and tell her she’s pretty every day so she doesn’t forget.”
“He’s a smart man.” And a great father.
The world could use more fathers like him.
I hear the sharp click of heeled boots behind me, and my heart kicks into overdrive.
She’s here.
I turn… and forget how to function. My jaw drops as my mate glides down the stairs like something unreal. On my next breath, I choke on nothing, thumping my chest before I embarrass myself in front of the water goddess walking toward me.
Hazel is wearing a silky off-shoulder white top that dips at the center, paired with wide-leg, flowy pants creased at the waist. A blue and golden corset cinches her waist, shaping her delicate frame in a way that makes it physically impossible to look away.
A dainty gold stick sweeps up her raven hair in a classy updo that must’ve taken hours to perfect.
If perfection had a face, it would be hers.
She stops at the bottom step, hands brushing nervously along her thighs.
I don’t know what comes over me, but I move toward her in a trance, like her hesitation is calling to me, pulling me in, waiting for me to fix it.
She let me see the cracks in her armor last night, and I don’t take that lightly. The fear behind them has lodged itself in my chest, heavy and persistent, reminding me how much I need to fix so she can shed that weight.
I reach for her on instinct, but my heart drops when I realize my mistake.
Just because she came to me last night doesn’t mean I get that privilege again. She’s barely stepping out of her comfort zone, and here I am, pushing her for more like an idiot.
I’m already scrambling for a way to recover and save us both from the awkward moment when a gloved hand slips into mine.
My fingers tighten on instinct, her trust a quiet, fragile gift I won’t take for granted.
My gaze traces the glittering black glove up to her face, and the smile I find on her face is different. Still teasing but softer.
Something new. Something she’s never given me before.
“Is this the first time a woman has touched you, Reaper?”
My head dips as a laugh escapes me. I try to play it cool, but my heart is pounding so loud I’m sure she can hear it.
I tug her closer, shamelessly using my hold on her hand to my advantage. “How about you take a day off from bullying your mate?”
“Where’s the fun in that?” She laughs, and the sound hits me square in the chest.
Fates, she’s beautiful.
Grace and Nevaeh’s giggles snap me out of it, forcing me to stop staring at my mate. Hazel’s in a good mood, but if I keep staring at her like I’m dying to taste every inch of her, she’s going to knee me in the balls.
Anxo clears his throat. “Ready to go?”
We were invited to the Diablo Towers for the annual gathering of supernatural heads. The King of Hell hosts an extravagant event every year, inviting all leaders to gather on neutral ground to discuss current affairs.
Elijah uses the event to make sure no internal conflicts are brewing and everything is running smoothly.
Harvey is opting out this year to stay with Grace. He doesn’t like the idea of her attending a stressful event just to keep up appearances.
Akihiko and Yua won’t be attending either, as they left last week to visit Yua’s parents. Yua’s mother is growing weaker, and she wants to be there when her mother passes to Azure, her soul beginning a new journey in the supernatural afterlife.
Officially, only Horsemen and our Warriorheads are required to attend, but Elijah’s mate decided to throw her own party and insisted Nevaeh and August come, so they’re tagging along with Anxo, Hazel, Khatri, and me.
Hazel drops my hand when we reach the horses.
If it were up to me, I’d tie us together, but I’m trying not to come off like a desperate, possessive lunatic.
I’m still surprised by her sudden change of heart, and terrified that if I let it show, she’ll go back to building her walls… only higher this time.
As I help Hazel onto her horse, much to her displeasure, Diamond whines like someone’s yanking his tail.
Nevaeh said he’s a little attached to Hazel, but the way he huffs angrily tells me we’ve crossed into obsessive territory. I don’t know whether to be proud or concerned.
I circle Diamond, ready to mount, but he trots forward, shaking his head like he’s offended I thought he’d let me ride him.
He keeps going until he reaches Hazel, headbutting her leg and nuzzling her with a whine.
Fates, now he’s begging her to pick him over the stallion she’s sitting on.
I stand back, and I watch. Interested to know if she’ll change her mind because if begging works, I’m not above trying it myself. I’d get on my knees right here.
Hazel glances at me, her bottom lip caught between her teeth as she debates giving in to my stubborn horse.
Except she takes too long.
Before I can stop him, the possessive asshole sets her horse on fire.
“Stop it, you crazy bastard!” I shout, trying to drag him away from the poor horse crying in pain. Hazel jumps off before she’s thrown.
I don’t run to Hazel because I know she’s fine. Diamond might be a menace, but he’d never hurt her.
Me, on the other hand? He’d stomp my skull in if it didn’t make him an orphan.
Hazel plants her hands on her hips. “Cut it out. Now.”
Diamond huffs but distinguishes the fire, then pointedly looks away.
Fucking brat.
Nevaeh is by the poor horse instantly to heal him. I doubt he’ll let Hazel or anyone near him again after that.
“Pull something like that again and I’m never touching you.”
Diamond whines, head bowed in shame. I’d probably feel bad if I didn’t know he was faking it.
Hazel storms ahead, choosing to walk instead. Diamond trots after her, but at least now he knows there are consequences to his stunts.
I’d leave the stubborn asshole here to sulk, but the Diablo Towers is a castle floating in the sky, and I refuse to use a carriage like everyone else.
I could teleport us straight in, but that would make it look like Elijah favors us over other leaders. And while I don’t have a problem with that narrative, Anxo calls it unprofessional.
I hurry to fall in step beside my mate and catch her grinning before she hides it behind a cough.
Fates, she likes driving us mad, doesn’t she?
We start on the path toward the portal to Hell. Our realm is the only one with direct access—perks of being the Devil’s best friend. Everyone else gets thoroughly vetted before entering or leaving.
I keep stealing glances at Hazel, making sure she’s still in a good mood. I don’t want Diamond’s antics ruining this night before it even starts.
The thought hits me, and before I talk myself out of it, I offer my hand again. I expect her to ignore it, maybe pretend like she didn’t see, because I can’t be lucky twice in a row, but then she slips her hand in mine.
Yes!
I want to jump like a fool and scream at the top of my lungs that my mate is finally holding my hand without any intention of sawing it off, but I hold back.
Fates know how long this will last, and I’m not wasting this moment by acting like an idiot.
Hazel doesn’t look at me, but a calm radiates off her, settling something deep in my chest and filling the cracks in my soul.
I don’t realize I’m grinning like I’ve won the lottery—which I have—until she catches it, and her grip falters like she might pull away, but I tighten my grip.
“Don’t make it a big deal.”
She huffs like she does when she’s irritated, but this time, my silence is getting to her. I didn’t think I’d see Hazel—our resident grumpy siren—ramble like this, but this really is my lucky day.
“I’m just holding your hand. It doesn’t mean anything. Lots of people hold hands.”
I hum, casually swinging our joined hands.
“Lots of people kiss, too. Want to try that, honey?”
She turns to glare at me, but the way she bites her lip to hide a smile tells me everything I need to know.
For the first time, it feels like this might actually work.
Like, my prayers have finally been answered.
I glance over my shoulder, checking with everyone to make sure I’m not imagining things.
Nevaeh shoots me a huge thumbs up, practically bouncing on Anxo’s horse before he steadies her from behind her, shaking her head with a grin.
I clear my throat. “Hey, did I tell you how you look tonight?”
“No.”
I raise a brow. “Fishing for compliments, hellfire?”
She rolls her eyes and keeps walking, knowing I’ll never drop a chance to get under her skin.
I lean into her, our shoulders brushing, and feel her breath hitch before I hear it. I squeeze her hand once and murmur, “You look ethereal, baby. Corsets were made for you.”
I straighten and pull Hazel to a stop, turning her to face me. “If I could, I’d spend the whole night just looking at you.”
Her eyes widen, lips parting, but I don’t give her time to recover before I guide us toward the portal.