Chapter Twenty-Seven
Dorian
The movie’s rolling credits when I make a reappearance downstairs. Seamus is still staring at Valerie with a look that suggests he’s found his next conquest. Cara has made her way through no less than four cupcakes. Valerie’s stare is glued to her phone.
“Ladies,” I say amiably, turning off the TV and flicking on the lights.
Valerie casts a glance at me. “Where’s Mira?”
“Upstairs,” I reply. “She has an upset stomach, isn’t feeling well.”
Cara rises from her seat immediately. “I’ll go check on her.”
“That would be ill-advised,” I say mildly. “She’s showering off her date with the toilet bowl at the moment and then going straight to sleep. She’ll give you a call tomorrow, I’m sure.” From a new phone and new number with better encryption and protection, though I don’t bother saying that.
Valerie and Cara share a glance, and some silent communication passes between them. They both stare at each other for several long moments before Valerie nods and Cara shrugs. Whatever discussion they had through eye contact appears to have been settled.
“Well, we better get going, then,” Valerie says, also standing. “Thanks for playing host, even though this was supposed to be a girls-only night,” she mutters pointedly.
Seamus also rises, stepping beside Valerie. He brushes a hand down her spine; a light shudder shakes her shoulders.
“Let me get your number before you leave, love,” he says, giving Valerie a suggestive smile.
I’m glad that he’s found someone new to fix his attention on; if he had continued making passes at Mira or even looking at her for too long, I’d have ended up beating the shit out of him.
A single punch between friends like us can be forgiven, but an extensive fight that I’d have ensured left him with a broken nose?
Yeah, that would have disturbed the dynamics in the house.
That’s precisely why I think it’s best for Mira and I to get our own place as soon as possible.
I’m becoming too possessive of her; my obsession has already crossed the point of no return and become a danger to the other inhabitants of the house.
The last time Connor threatened Mira, I was ready to kill him.
When Seamus flirts with her, even if it’s harmless, I don’t think he understands just how much he’s courting death.
In any case, I find deep satisfaction when Valerie stares at Seamus, considering him for several moments before shaking her head. “Nah, I’m good. If I’m interested, I’ll find you.”
She takes Cara’s hand in her own and both of them flit right out of the house, leaving a stunned Seamus in their wake.
After snapping out of his temporary stupor born of rejection—something he does not experience often—he takes a step forward, probably intending to catch Valerie before she drives off.
“I wouldn’t,” I tell him. “Don’t chase, it’s beneath you.”
He slides me an irritated glance. “I never chase. I’m the one who gets chased.”
I raise my eyebrows, waving at him. He’s mid-step, but his focus briefly wavers from following after his newest object of interest. Realizing my implication, he immediately straightens and relaxes his posture.
“I don’t usually chase,” he amends. “But that one is interesting.”
Maybe he’s found himself a new point of fixation, one that’ll divert his attention from my Mira.
Speaking of my Mira, there are several things I need to take care of so I can get back to her without guilt weighing so heavily on my shoulders.
I’m supposed to protect her, yet I failed in that tonight.
“Go after Valerie in a few days if you really want. For now, there are greater worries.”
Seamus hears the serious undertone in my words and immediately switches gears, turning to face me fully.
“Problem?” he queries. His entire demeanor changes, morphing from the lighthearted tease to the well-learned strategist who’s very good at putting together solutions and has used his skillset to earn the favor of a remarkably dangerous man.
“Mira’s stepdad, Clyde, called her. He requested she set up a meeting between Sergei and his own boss.”
Seamus blinks slowly. “That is a problem. Do you need solutions, or do you already have one in mind?”
“I’m going to run this situation through Sergei,” I say.
“He’s already aware of Mira; I’m sure Connor also sent him the report he put together on her.
” The full background check came through today, and I read it while Mira was baking in preparation for girl’s night.
Seeing the evidence of what Mira’s been through, what Clyde put her through, made my blood boil.
“Sergei’s the one who told me to choose how I wanted to keep Mira and follow through—he’ll want to stay updated on progress, and he’ll certainly want to know if his name is being dropped by a thug with relations to Mira. ”
“Have a plan first,” Seamus advises. “Sergei won’t like it if you come to him without a plan, or at least the start of one.”
“My plan is quite simple, and it hasn’t changed,” I tell Seamus simply.
“I am going to kill Mira’s stepdad, and I will happily kill anyone associated with him, as well.
He deserves to die for what he’s put her through, what he’s done to her.
” Killing Clyde has been on my to-do list since the night I saw Mira’s scars; now, it’s just moved higher on my list.
Seamus shrugs. “Fine, just don’t sound dumb in front of the boss. He hired us because we’re smart, capable, and agile; he won’t want a bumbling, revenge-driven mess on the phone with him.”
“Don’t worry about me,” I say, a bit sharply. “Worry about yourself.”
“I can worry for both of us,” Seamus says, eyeing me. “Be careful you don’t isolate yourself, Dorian. Connor and I have had your back for years. That girl in your room has been here for less than a week. Don’t let her take over your life.”
“I’m not angling to let her take over my life, I’m aiming to integrate her into it,” I tell him. “When you meet the one for you, you’ll feel the same way. I’m not trying to shut you or Connor out, but the fact of the matter is that my priorities have shifted to include her, not to exclude you.”
Seamus’s lips thin, but he nods. I’m not sure how he feels about what I’ve said; his face gives little away.
“Do what you need to do, then,” he says. “Let me know if you need me, mate.” He walks away.
I watch him leave, something stirring inside of me. Worry over our friendship, perhaps. Seamus has become a brother to me in the last years; he’s had my back and saved my life so many times, I’ve lost count. Likewise, I’ve had his back and protected him.
I have no desire to alienate him. I am not actively trying to allow Mira to come between me and my legion. I want her to join it, even if not in full capacity. If only my roommates would make that a simpler endeavor for me…