Chapter 58 – Hellion
Hellion had thought his family relationships were a piece of work, but this was something else.
Even after Lord and Lady Stormwell departed, he wasn’t sure what to think and his heart rate was way too high.
He had expected Lord Stormwell to retaliate against Wayla’s attack, but he had just shrugged it off and been disappointed that she hadn’t hit him harder. Messed up.
At least the crackle of electricity in the air dissipated after their departure. Wayla was in a fine mood, quietly seething rage with every breath.
A bottle of whiskey found its way to the table and Hellion poured himself a glass. His father was studying Wayla, like she had managed to surprise him. The infuriating woman was poring over the contract. She hadn’t spoken a word to Hellion.
His fucking fiancée.
The damnedest thing was that he wasn’t upset about the engagement.
Wayla totally ignoring him grated on his nerves, though.
He should be furious, but the woman currently brewing up a silent storm tugged at, if nothing else, his cock.
And maybe his stomach. His heart was having trouble keeping a steady pace.
He had to cough a bit to clear his throat.
“Let’s take the drinks to the sitting room,” Xuan said.
“I’ll clean up,” Hazard said and jumped to his feet.
“I’ll help,” Grant grunted.
It took some shuffling to get everyone moved, drinks poured, and the fire started in the fireplace.
Wayla didn’t lift her nose from the contract even when Marc and Jarred practically carried her into the room.
Irishen hovered behind them and thin sheets of ice seemed to form and evaporate from Wayla’s skin.
Justin mixed up more drinks and Yash carried one over to Wayla, who looked at it, then her eyes flickered to Lucifer, avoiding Hellion, and she gulped the whole thing down before anyone could say a word.
“Another one, please,” she told Yash.
Jarred, Irishen, and Marc protested as one and even his father cleared his throat. Wayla glared at all of them and Hellion lifted his hands and kept his mouth shut.
Justin carried another drink over and Wayla’s mates all fussed around her. None of them had paid him any mind. He was the one engaged to her, and that didn’t warrant even a glare or friendly word of congratulations.
“I really did hope we never would have to enforce the contract,” his father suddenly said, surprising the hell out of him. He even sounded honest. “I was so happy when I heard you had naturally gravitated toward each other.”
“Why now?” He had to know that. If he hadn’t wanted to bring up the contract, then why had he?
Lucifer glanced at him before returning his gaze to Wayla.
“Because she’s bonding. If her circle firms up and the bonds lock without you in the mix, no amount of ink and blood on a paper will give you an in.”
Hellion was flabbergasted. Was he really saying he was doing this for him? It couldn’t be.
“But—” He fell silent when Irishen leaned in and kissed Wayla softly until she was on the brink of moaning out loud.
“Looks like you have your work cut out for you, son,” Lucifer said with a rueful smile.
“You sent assassins after Irishen,” Hellion growled. “Am I to anticipate similar treatment of my fiancée?”
Lucifer laughed. “Oh, that old thing. You weren’t right for each other, Marchellion. Two young foolhardy princes.”
“We—”
“I wasn’t finished,” his father continued coldly and Hellion felt Esserieh’s glare burn the back of his head.
Lucifer took a deep breath, getting himself under control.
“You weren’t right for each other. When troubles arose, you two kept secrets from each other.
You pulled apart instead of together. Neither of you was willing to put the other first.”
“That’s not—”
“Interrupt me one more time, Marchellion, and I swear—”
“Here’s your Red Blood wine, Lord Lucifer,” Yash said, unintentionally interrupting them.
His father slipped a hiss before forcing a smile on his lips.
“Thank you.” He took the glass of the black-looking wine and took a sip. “Excellent.”
Yash gave a small bow, playing the perfect servant, and hightailed it back to Justin. Hellion was jealous of the vodka shot he downed by the counter. He could use a whole bottle. Hellion kept his silence while Lucifer sipped his wine. When the glass was empty, he set it down and straightened.
“Right then,” he said, clearly changing the subject and gathering everyone’s attention at once.
Dread pooled in Hellion’s stomach. He was up to something. He just knew it. The Lord of Hell smiled, and then he turned to look at Wayla.
“There’s one more thing I think we should discuss before we call it a night.”
“Hmm?” Wayla said, lifting her gaze up. She was cradling her second drink, sipping it slowly.
“Just a tiny little detail that might interest you.”
“What?”
“It’s a piece of information you’ve been looking for.”
Wayla sighed, exasperated. “Spit it out, drama king.”
Lucifer smiled, got up, and Esserieh handed him a slim, black folder tied with a pink and gold ribbon. “Let’s call this an engagement present,” he said and handed the folder to Marc, who was closest to him.
“Can’t you just tell me?” Wayla looked exasperated.
Hellion got to his feet, ready to do… something.
“It’s an answer to a burning question of yours.”
“I don’t have a burning question!” Wave argued vehemently. Smart. Giving his father an opening was a stupid idea.
“Oh,” Lucifer looked innocent. “So, you don’t care to find out who arranged your kidnapping?”
Wayla froze.
So did everyone else. Hellion’s mouth went dry and trepidation filled his mind. It took a second for Wayla to find her voice.
“Who?” she whispered.
The Lord of Hell smiled as he answered, “Your grandmother.”