16 #3
“You’re right, I don’t like it,” Winter said, bobbing his head. “But you’re right that it’s not your fault and even started before you met me. I’m glad you’ve had that now. I want it to be me.”
“We can’t be each other’s everything only, Sir Winter,” I mumbled. “Even I know that’s not healthy.” I gestured to Danny as if to make my point. “I might not have known Link as long, but it’s really like this, but maybe he likes my breasts. Please just let it go.”
“I’m trying, but I’m stuck on a few things about what happened.”
“Okay, hit me,” I offered, trying not to sigh.
He let me see in his gaze that he knew what I was feeling. “You said your magic—you said it was a line you didn’t want to cross. No, something you didn’t want to touch? Something about your magic wanted to explore the fact you could cut a familiar bond but…”
I nodded, knowing what he was referring to but not exactly how I’d worded it, especially because it had been more than once. “And you’re upset I went against that for Link.”
“Yes,” he answered immediately but then sighed. “No. I don’t know. I need more context?”
I nodded again. That was fair, but I shot Danny a worried glance before focusing back on Winter.
“There was no hesitation this time that it wasn’t the right move.
Last time it was my freakout and trauma over what Conrad did and an ace up my sleeve.
This time someone was dead. I know what Jason Berns is capable of and how bad this was.
“There was nothing in me saying don’t do this.
It was the first and only choice in that split second, but I was completely sure.
I didn’t even think to put the familiar in the bubble.
It was time to take someone off the board more than it being Link in danger.
Do I know if putting someone’s familiar in a time-out like that would do enough to their magic to stop an attack? ”
“No, but would cutting the connection with their familiar?” Danny muttered. “I would think the head of a family could still get off one damn good blast.”
“The distraction was more the goal,” I admitted. “But he wouldn’t know if it was forever or not. I had the opportunity and every justification like I won’t again. I took it.”
Winter seemed settled with that. “Have you checked if the gods are cool with that? If you were punished? I’m going to lose it if you were punished for him.”
“My choice, not for him,” I warned, glad when he nodded.
I gave him a sad smile. “You think the gods sit around and watch me? That it will be an instant response?” I let out a heavy breath when they both flinched, crossing my arms over my chest, but at least glad to tell them what I’d already figured out.
“Yes, I can still do it, but I don’t think it would be immediate. ”
“Fair, but you’re a good judge of what is going on. How do you feel about it?” Danny asked.
“No regrets.” I snorted. “No, I regret that I can’t get other family heads. Whoever else is bribing council guards like this and killing. Ever since…” I stood and stretched. “Sorry, I’m at the limit of what I can tell you.”
“This situation changed since you saw the spirit guide more than what happened today with Link,” Winter surmised.
“Yeah, I think so,” I admitted. “Accepting Wyatt as my priest officially. It’s like unlocked more?” I frowned and kept stretching. “I feel like more paths are open in front of me. More purpose?”
“No pressure,” Danny drawled.
Winter and I both snorted.
“Thank you for explaining it better to me, little sexy. I’ll try my best, but just know he’s a hot button for me.”
“That’s fine, but I’m not… I’m not doing anything wrong.
I’ll talk about it and be as transparent with you as possible, but I’m not ditching him like I’ve done anything wrong.
” I had an idea and pulled out my phone, unlocking it and then tapping Link’s text message thread before handing it to Winter. “I have nothing to hide.”
“Just don’t look at Tracey’s.”
“She would eat you if you did,” I warned. “Jasmine too. Several people.” I left it at that.
I also smiled when he simply put his hand over the phone and moved it back into my pocket, clearly saying he didn’t need to see it.
“I have an idea and I’d like you to hear me out,” he hedged, not sure if his advice was welcome with how he was behaving.
I smiled at him. “Always.”
He was interrupted with work, actually having to go handle something. I stayed with Danny and we actually ordered food. He thanked me for being patient with Winter and allowing something most women wouldn’t.
I gave him the look he deserved. “They should. Winter’s fucking awesome and people should talk things out.
He didn’t accuse me and there’s nothing wrong with what he asked.
He’s open to sharing me with other men and all this other fucking crazy.
Yeah, I should talk shit out with him when he’s not feeling secure in our relationship.
Smack me if I ever say no, not thank me. ”
“I’ll kill him if he ever smacks you, but thanks, Bev,” Winter said from the doorway.
Whoops.
Or maybe not?
I wasn’t sure, but I didn’t have enough brain power to figure it out, so I left it alone.