Chapter 21
Later that day,when I emerged from the house—after inhaling an oversized snack for my starving belly—most of the damage from the attack had been cleared. While a few reapers died in the attack, the others had managed to escape the murderous spree, and they’d been busy. The broken cars were gone. The bodies, too. Just the damage to the house and planters remained.
Vance had followed and stood sentinel at my shoulder.
“You sure you’re ready to take on Moloch?” Vance queried softly.
“No, but we don’t have time to wait for me to be ready. Moloch’s not going to stop attacking. And the longer he has before we put pressure on him, the stronger he gets.”
“You’ll get stronger too,” Vance encouraged.
“Will I? Or will I die because of a bullet, or another giga monster, or something worse?”
“I’ll be right by your side, protecting you.”
“As will Cain, I’m sure, but that’s no guarantee. I can’t help but think we need to move fast.”
“You having premonitions now?”
I shrugged. “Who knows. My magic is a bit unpredictable.” Then because there’d be no easier or better time, I murmured, “Sorry I whammied you into sleeping with me.”
He coughed. “Um, it’s okay.”
“No, it’s not. My magic railroaded what you wanted. And for that I’m sorry.”
“You’re assuming I didn’t want to be in bed with you.”
I snorted. “You and Cain made it pretty clear you didn’t.”
“The awkwardness came from being in bed with you and another guy.”
“Still not into the idea of a threesome, huh?” I only partially teased. My attraction to both men had yet to choose a clear favorite.
“I’d honestly never considered it. I’m not into dudes.”
“Who says you’d be touching? I’m greedy. I’d want it to all be about me.”
His laughter brought a smile, and a scowling Cain. He emerged from the house to growl, “What’s so funny?”
“Oh, just discussing threesomes with Vance. He seems to think it has to involve swords crossing, and I was just saying that it doesn’t have to.”
Cain turned red. Like, beet fucking red. “What the fuck, Sadie!”
“Oh, don’t be such a prude. Don’t tell me you’ve never thought of being with two girls at once before.”
“That’s different,” was his stiff reply.
“Different how?”
He opened his mouth and shut it, only to mumble, “Because it is.”
I rolled my eyes. “Let me guess, in your fantasy, the girls are playing with each other. But here’s the thing. In mine, it’s all about my pleasure. My needs.”
“Gee, sounds fun.” Vance had a dry riposte.
“Says a guy who’s obviously never read a menage romance. You might want to check it out and see how it’s done.”
“No thanks. I already told you I wasn’t interested.” Vance glanced at Cain. “This time, I’m putting our rekindled friendship first.”
“Don’t you use me as an excuse. I never asked you to not pursue Sadie.”
“No, but I can see you’re interested,” Vance stated.
“And so are you,” Cain countered.
I watched and wondered how I’d gotten to a point where two guys argued over me.
“Yeah, but you met her first.”
“Barely,” Cain drawled. “And she hated me.”
I had, but that changed once I got to understand the reasoning behind his attitude and actions.
“She didn’t like me either.”
I interjected at this point. “As Detective Williams, you were an ass. Bringing me in for questioning. Acting like you were going to arrest me when you knew full well I’d committed no crime.”
Vance shrugged. “Was just doing my job. And speaking of job, I should turn in and get a few hours’ sleep so I can take over from Cain later on.” The lanky reaper returned to the house, probably traumatized by my threesome suggestion.
Was I being greedy? Yup. Did I care? Nope. I had a mega demon after me and would be putting my life on the line. I didn’t have the time to be timid about what I wanted.
“You’re not serious about a threesome thing, are you? Because I’m not into that,” Cain muttered.
“Don’t worry. Doesn’t look like Vance is either.”
“Do you want him to be?”
I glanced at Cain. “I like both of you, and honestly, if I had to choose right now, I’d go with neither because I can’t decide.”
“This is like Claire all over,” he complained.
I arched a brow. “I’m not leading you on, nor will you find me in bed with someone else. On the contrary, I’m trying to talk you into both being with me so I don’t have to choose.”
“I’m not into sharing,” he grumbled.
“Says someone who’s never tried it.”
“You have?”
I shook my head. “Nope, but I am intrigued.”
“I assure you I’m man enough for you.”
My lips quirked. “Oh, I have no doubt you are. I’m still wet from that kiss.”
His breath caught, and his gaze smoldered, hot enough my clothes almost turned to ashes. “Maybe a few more kisses and you’ll forget this threesome idea.”
“Hmm, maybe,” I teased. “Shall we turn in for the night?”
“It’s early,” he pointed out.
“I know, but my room has a bed.”
Once more his cheeks filled with ruddy color. “What about Vance?”
“Vance keeps walking away.”
“So I win by default?”
“I told you I couldn’t choose.”
His lips pressed into a thin line. “I think I’ll pass.”
At his rejection, I sighed. My own fault. Instead of being content with one hot guy, I got greedy and made a play for two.
Hence how I ended up in bed alone.
Not for long, though. Moloch found a way in.