14. Rurik
FOURTEEN
RURIK
Goodnight? It’s cute he thinks I’m not going back to his room with him, invited or not.
Did he really think that was a one-time thing? What a little precious innocent angel baby.
I climb into my favorite tree and relax back to watch him.
Should I go check in with my brothers? Yes, but will I? Maybe. They are too nosy anyway. Did I used to spend a lot of time at home bothering them when I was bored? Also yes, but they are going to have to get used to all my new hobbies. I’ll make it up to Nik. He’ll understand once I explain it.
My life is richer now, and they should be happy I’m outside touching some grass and dick.
It will all be better when Ash gets into Legacy, and I can openly be obsessed with him. And yes, I said when, and I meant it. He’s smart. He’s going to figure it out even without my help.
Speak of the devil. My nosy-ass twin calls me.
“Yes?” I answer in a whisper.
“Why are you ignoring the group chat?”
“Because you all have a lot to say and it was vibrating against my dick and giving me a constant hard on so I muted you.”
“Locke is right. We are too close.”
“Hence me trying to spend some time away from you.” Maybe that will teach him.
“Who is she?”
“Or he,” I reply. They all know I’m bisexual.
“Whichever. I’m waiting.” Nik’s impatient and used to me telling him everything.
“Who said it’s one person?”
“You haven’t had anyone in your room for weeks. If this were your normal sexcapades, there would be signs.”
“I’ve recently discovered exhibitionism,” I deadpan. “I have to keep my life exciting. Okay?”
“I don’t know if I should be horrified and believe you or horrified you’re trying to cover something worse.” He pauses, clearly trying to work his brain around it. I can’t help but laugh. “Like the type where people watch or the risk of getting caught one.”
I think about it for a minute. Because I know what my usual answer would be.
Both duh. But with Ash, only the latter.
I’d kill anyone who saw his dick. Choke the life right out of their eyes for daring to look.
But that won’t stop me from wanting to fuck him in public.
Something about him letting me take him anywhere I want really turns me on.
I’m going to have to explore this more.
“Risk. And it’s not really the risk. I like getting hi—people to give in and let me have what I want right there.”
“Him?”
“People.”
“You thought of a specific example.” He knows me too damn well.
“This is what I get for sharing a fucking uterus with you,” I mutter.
“God forbid someone cares about you and knows you well.”
“We need more secrets in this family. I want to know all of you less.”
“Who is he?”
“You can’t tell Locke.” Fuck. Am I really going to tell him?
“I would never.”
“It’s a recruit,” I admit and wait for his reaction. No way I’m giving him more if he goes nuclear.
He’s laughing. “Damn. Locke would be irate. That’s funny as fuck.”
“You don’t have an issue with it?”
“I don’t give a fuck what you do. If he gets in on anything but his own merits, he’ll be the one who suffers for it. The tests are designed to weed out those who haven’t the nerve because they didn’t grow up like we did. And of course those who will be stupid and bring risk to the Velleity.”
“I know all that. I’m not helping him. He’s good enough, and he might have the nerve, I don’t know. Not every member of the Velleity is a killer.”
“No, but they have to be able to stomach it.”
“He can.” I think? I don’t know. Maybe I don’t care.
He’s probably seen worse. Noble families are full of horrible ass shit. If his dad is a ‘very traditional aristocrat,’ I can only imagine he’s seen some fucking skeletons.
“Then let him shine on his own.” Does Nik think he’s the angel on my shoulder?
“I will.” Mostly. If it works out that way.
“Are you really not seeing other people?” Nik says after a moment.
I don’t blame him for asking. It is pretty unlike me.
“I’m hyper-focused right now. Sue me.”
“Don’t admit that to anyone else. Christ, they’d get you evaluated.”
I imagine Nik pinching the bridge of his nose.
“Why do you think I haven’t, asshole? I will probably get bored anyway, and then all their hoopla will be for nothing.” I won’t get bored. I’m pretty fucking sure of it.
“I’m sure you will. Most of your fads don’t last too long. I’m not worried.”
Good. At least I have Nik on my side for now.
“Will you get everyone else off my back?”
“For now. You’ll have to tell them eventually. I won’t be able to explain your absence forever.” Nik makes a good point.
“I’ll burn that bridge when I get to it.”
“Cross?” he offers.
“No way. I’m burning that bitch.”
But I don’t get a fucking chance to use the benefit of Nik getting them off my back. Because Dad chooses that fucking night to check into a room at the fucking Velleity, and Mom’s going to kill him.
Which wouldn’t bother me one fucking bit except the Velleity is neutral territory. No killing on the property. So if she snaps and kills him, we’re all out.
Out of the Velleity.
Out of Legacy.
And probably dead.