Page 12 of Endlessly Raphael
Nodding, I smile. “At least you’re good with it.”
“I think it’s badass,” Viper says.
“It certainly has its perks,” Hale says.
“Do you have a minute, Yves?”
He nods, standing from his spot on the sofa. “My office?”
“Yeah.”
I follow Yves to his unit and into his office. Before we sit, he walks to his credenza and pours each of us a glass of blood-tinged wine. I accept my glass and take a seat across from his desk.
“I have an unusual dilemma.”
“I’m listening,” Yves says, leaning back in his chair. He’s dressed casually in a black t-shirt and linen pants. It’s rare but nice to see.
“I met someone interesting tonight. His name is Haven. He’s…” My thoughts drift back to his stunning face and the way he came apart in my embrace. “He’s beautiful and passionate.” I clear my throat. “But it was only meant to be a hookup.”
“Go on.”
“At the end of our… interlude, he propositioned me. He’s in need of a spouse, and quickly. It’s for an inheritance. I’m weighing the pros and cons of helping him.”
Yves raises a single eyebrow. “You want to marry a mortal?”
“Not particularly, but he assures me it’s temporary. It’s a ruse.”
“You don’t know him, Raphael.”
“No, but he doesn’t know me either. Maybe I could consider it a good deed.”
Yves sits forward, a soft smile on his lips. “What is your real motivation, Raph? You can tell me. Good deed aside, there has to be something else.”
I nod, taking a moment to sip my drink. “Perhaps…” I direct my gaze to my maker and savior. “I guess I remember what it was like to be discarded by those who were supposed to love and protect me. Maybe I feel an affinity with him.”
“It sounds as if you’ve already made your decision.”
“Well, no. Part of me wants to help, but it’s risky.”
“All interactions with mortals are.” He swirls his drink in his glass. “But as we’ve seen, there are times when the risk is worth it.”
“Yeah. I guess.”
“What are you most afraid of?”
“Losing control and hurting him. Exposing us.”
Yves nods. “Valid concerns, but I trust you to use your best judgment in your interactions with him and his with us.”
“You do? That’s not like you.”
He chuckles. “Let’s just say watching three of my brothers fall in love and find their very mortal mates has softened some of my paranoia. I trust you all with my life, so I should extend that trust to your personal lives. While it’s unconventional to say the least, if you feel that marrying Haven is a good choice, I’ll support you.”
His response stuns me. I think on some level I expected him to talk me out of it, and maybe I even wanted him to, but now I can’t deny the very real excitement coursing through me at the idea of seeing Haven again.
“You say he’s beautiful?” Yves asks.
“Very. We’re compatible in one area, at least.”