Page 98 of Hell on Wheels
His head tilts back, looking pleadingly at the sky. “Rogue. I’m not talking about simple calorie deficits and shit like that. I mean real sports meal planning to maximize your performance. It’s not like fucking Atkins or some shit.”
How the hell does he know about Atkins? Whatever.
“I don’t know, babe. I’m not super touchy about my body, but I’m not shaped like the rail-thin models girls my age used to worship. I’m thicker, in lots of places, and curvier, so I had little success with other chicks in high school. You and the guys know that.”
“Do you trust me?”
Aw, fuck. Of course he’d ask that. Now I’m screwed.
White Wedding
“You made a fool of me,” Luca says as he leans back in his huge throne-like office chair. “I don’t suffer fools.”
We certainly have to suffer him, so why should he get to skate by without joining the fun?
I arch a brow, purposefully staying quiet until the sigh of irritation fades. Luca doesn’t continue; he’s in ‘power pose’ mode now. Deciding to let him win this minor victory, I shrug. “Luca, we didn’t plan to make it public.Youmade it a big deal because you were mad we aren’t following your path despite the intervention of the Fates.”
He tilts his head, studying me for a moment. I’m the more rebellious one, but my brashness appeals to him versus Damon’s submissive behavior. Luca admires aggression, so my willfulrebellion both impresses and vexes him. He’s never sure how to address it, which is how I stay one step ahead of the dickhead. “Fine. I’ll stipulate that my anger at your acceptance of a lesser being as a mate affected my behavior. However, that decision stymied my plans for you boys and it’s only natural that my shock was difficult to manage.”
That’s the closest he’ll ever get to saying he might be incorrect.
“Denying the hags is rarely an intelligent choice,” Damon says mildly. “We were lucky to be given someone amiable to us rather than an enemy.”
Luca’s gaze cuts to D, wrinkles forming at the corners as he glares. “Even if your assessment is correct, that does not excuse informing me at a public soiree.”
“We were told attendance was mandatory,” I drawl as I lean back, mimicking Luca’s pose. “At similar affairs, you and Lola have tried to make a match for us, though unsuccessfully. It didn’t seem prudent to leave Rogue at home.”
Our father sucks in a long, loud breath through his nose, the annoyance obvious when his statements are quietly refuted by logic. This was D’s plan, and it’s working well. I’m pleased that he’s been paying such close attention in the past. It means we won’t have as much trouble plotting Luca’s eventual de-throning when it’s time.
“Boys, I called you here to discuss the upcoming Appalachin, not your shitty taste in friends.” He pushes back from his desk, then braces himself on the dark obsidian surface. “There are many things in the works below, as well as here on the surface. I need you to keep your ears to the ground to see what floats around during the event. You shouldnotcatch even a whisperabout politics in Hell at this event. If you do, I need to know immediately.”
What.
“No one speaks of our realm.Youdon’t even talk it about it much.” Damon scratches his chin as his eyes glaze over in a way that tells me his brain is working a million miles a minute. “Why would people be talking about the ridiculous shit that goes on at court?”
Luca ignores him to look at me—that’s not unusual, but the question was pertinent, so it’s suspicious. “Tell me you understand, Angelo.”
I have to fight to not to roll my eyes. “Yes, I understand. However, I agree with D. This stupid meeting is for all the above ground supes. Mentions of demons or Hell will be limited to your activities and holdings, not whatever the King and his ilk are doing below.”
“I didn’t stutter and I owe neither of you an explanation.”
Luca is such a fucking self-centered blowhard that he rarely uses the ample resources he has on-hand; it will be his undoing, eventually.
“Luca, darling, I’m ready to head out for the—oh, boys!”
My expression goes blank as our mother breezes in, her faux casual surprise not fooling anyone in the room. “Good morning, Lola.”
A cloud of Clive Christian No. 1 Imperial Majesty fills my nostrils as she strides over and bends to air kiss both of my cheeks. At almost thirteen thousands dollars an ounce, the scent she’s made her signature is one that triggers memories of mychildhood I’d prefer to forget. It’s easy to write-off your parents’ lack of commitment when you’re an adult, but as a kid, it’s hard to comprehend, even for demons.
“Good morning, Angelo, darling.” Her voice is husky and I have to school my reactions to Lola’s never-ending supply of pretend care for D and me. She floats over to Damon and repeats her gesture, but D isn’t as good as I am with keeping the anger off of his face. “Damon, my love, you seem tense. Is everything okay?”
Is there some sort of paparazzi filming us? She’s never this effusive.
“I’m fine, Lola,” Damon says tightly. “We’re almost done meeting with Luca. You won’t be late to whatever function you’re attending.”
Our mother straightens, laughing as she makes sure her tight dress isn’t wrinkled. “Your father isn’t joining me at a boring ladies’ social function. You boys know better than that.”
I frown. She’s dressed like she’s headed for something much more important than a ladies’ luncheon, and that remark makes me wonder just what the fuck sheisdoing to hide it so poorly. Luca has to know she’s lying; he’s not stupid. That means he knowsexactlywhat she’s doing—either he doesn’t care or he’s asked her to do it. “Why are you here then, Lola?”