Page 68 of Hell on Wheels
Luca blinks, then throws his head back in laughter. He damn near howls in the magical bubble he created to keep our conversation private, and our girl simply smirks as she watches. When he’s finally done, my father shakes his head and lets out a long, winded sigh. “Little girl, I haven’t been so amused in a very long time.”
She shrugs, looking unimpressed. “Happy to help.”
The tone goes back to serious as he looks at all of us intently. “If I assume correctly, the little crush you two had on this girl recently resurfaced when she was injured. I’d wager her renewed presence in your lives led to… a discovery, yes?”
Damon nods, looking at Luca earnestly. “You are exactly correct. We brought Rogue home while she healed because we believe the Stuhlls backed the team that went after her. She wasn’t safe alone and well…”
I roll my eyes at my flushing brother. He’s such an introvert, and he wants so badly for our father to approve of him. “One thing led to another, and we realized she’s our mate—as well as the others.”
No use hiding that shit from him, only to have him go on the warpath later.
“A hybrid Guardian is the fated mate of five varied supe species… It’s like a myth.” Luca looks shocked for a brief second, then recovers quickly. “This includes that punky little stepbrother, I assume? Oh, to be a fly on the wall when that odious Graciella finds out…”
Rogue snorts, giving my asshole father a knowing look. “It’ll be a bloodbath of Karen-ism, I agree.”
He barks a short laugh again. “I may not believe you are good enough for my boys, little girl, but I like your courage and spunk. You’re not afraid of anyone—even when you should be. Hopefully, that won’t get you killed before you give Lola and I extremely powerful grand demons.”
“Dad!” Damon and I hiss simultaneously. Rogue’s eyes are like saucers and for a moment, she looks ready to run. “Don’t be a dick.”
“What?” Luca asks innocently. “Of course, all of your mates’ families will expect you to carry on their family lines, Rogue. You can’t possibly believe that phoenix or the lion won’t get the same questions. Samara and her pride might be your easiest group to inform, but they will want litters.”
My father, the eternal cockblock, is going to ruin our sex life for weeks while she panics.
“My body and my decisions do not belong toanyof your families,” our mate says with a firm tone. “You can all put on capes and get super fucked if you think you have the right to demand anything of my lady bits. Is that clear?”
Damon shrinks back a little, waiting for our father to finally show his true colors, but it doesn’t happen. Luca just studies Rogue with a dark smirk, and I hate to imagine what the hell plans he’s got rolling through his head.
We might need to up security and add a taster to the staff at the house.
He won’t kill her because it would destroy D and me in ways he could never repair. Emotions aside, the effect of a mate’s death on our magic and capabilities would not be worth it. But I can absolutely see him doing something just as nefarious that would force the outcome he desires. Demons have so many ways to manipulate reality and use magic non-demons would never sense. I shoot a glance at Damon, letting him know he needs to do research on shoring up our defenses against our parents' known tricks.
“Don’t look so worried, son.” Luca winks at me and I have to grit my jaw to keep from responding. “Your mate is safe from me. I’m not so old school that I don’t believe she has every right to choose her reproductive schedule with her mates.”
“Gee, thanks,” Rogue mutters.
I reach down, taking her hand to squeeze it. None of us would force her to do anything, and I want her to believe that. “You should probably release the crowd, Luca.”
He blinks as if he totally forgot a hundred people are stuck in time behind us, waiting for him to bestow his approval. His expression flickers with annoyance, but he does as I asked, turning to face his people with a proud smile. The tension in the room cools several degrees as he looks at them, pulling the same trick I did earlier.
Finally, he speaks. “Fellow demons, hybrids, and family… I am indescribably proud to give my blessing to my sons—nay, mysuccessors—mating bonds. Fated mates are a gift from the Fates and indeed, the Universe, to all species. Rogue Kelly is now a member of my family and should be accorded the respect, protection, and devotion expected from my people. Her pain is your pain, her vengeance is your revenge, and her fury is your retribution.”
That son of a bitch. He just inducted Rogue into our family caliphate without actually performing the whole ceremony—-without her permission.
She’s going to fuckingkillus.
Circus
Whatever that asshole just did has the twins looking like they’re going to vomit and the crowd in an uproar. If I act surprised, it will ruin his big reveal and put me even higher on his shit list. Since I’ve pushed the cagey old fucker enough tonight, I smile at the demons and hybrids making a ruckus on the floor. My chin jerks up when a few give me disgusted expressions, and I loop my arms through the twins’ in a show of solidarity.
Anyone who thinks I’m not good enough for their… whatever the hell Luca said… can bite me.
In fact, I’d love to see them try. This party has been far too much goddamn fluff and not enough bloodshed as it is. When the hoopla continues without intervention from the big kahuna, I suck in a slow breath, then let it out before I turn to Angelo and kiss him firmly. His eyes widen, but I spin to do the same to Damon. Public displays of affection are the best way to convince these rioting idiots we’re serious, and this is some giant joke.
“Princess, you’re playing with fire,” Angelo murmurs next to my ear. “I don’t think you realize what kind of target my father just painted on your back.”
I shrug. “I always have someone gunning for me; I’m used to it.”
Damon moves closer, pressing against my side as he joins us. “You’ll have to face the trials—and soon. He added yet another nightmare to our plate and I’m certain it was on purpose.”