Page 50 of Shattered Vows

She nods, biting her lip. “I’m sure. I want adventure. This sounds like the biggest adventure I may ever have.”

I hold her emerald gaze, searching for any sign of reluctance and finding none. “All right then. It’s a date.”

Wasting no time, I slip my hand behind her head and drag her down to my lips.

The next morning after breakfast, I meet my brothers and Anabelle in Asher’s home office. Everyone’s eyes are glued to me by the mammoth fireplace, hands on my hips, looking at where they all sit on the couch and chairs.

“I’ve got an overseas call in twenty minutes,” Asher says, glancing at his Patek Phillippe watch. “Can we get on with this?”

Anabelle, the only one who can ever settle the asshole, moves her hand to his knee as if telling him to cool it. He takes her hand and lifts it to his lips, kissing her knuckles.

Why the hell does that feeling hit my chest when I see it? It feels something like longing, which is fucking ridiculous.

“Yeah, brother. What’s up? Rapsody finally send you over the edge? You need help burying the body?” Sid says with a sly grin.

I narrow my eyes.

Nero doesn’t say anything. He’s unkempt and has bags under his eyes.

I nod in Nero’s direction. “What’s up with you? You just get in?”

“Don’t worry about me. Just get on with it already.”

Asher and Anabelle share a concerned glance.

There’s nothing to worry about though. I went on benders and fuck-fests after Rapsody left me, determined to prove to myself that I didn’t care. Nero’s probably just doing the same.

“Fine. I’ll be initiating Rapsody into the Ritual Room on Saturday.”

Anabelle gasps.

Asher glares.

Sid chuckles.

And Nero gets up with a, “Fine. Whatever,” and leaves the room.

“You can’t initiate her,” Asher says.

I thought this might be an argument I’d have to have with him, so I’m not surprised. “Did it sound like I was asking for permission?”

“I don’t care if you were or not. We don’t initiate just anyone, you know that. Flights of fancy aren’t indulged when it comes to our membership.”

I scoff and motion toward Anabelle. “What the fuck was Anabelle if not a flight of fancy?”

The hand with the bear tattoo fists on Asher’s thigh. “She is more than that, and you know it.”

“But you didn’t know that at the time.”

Asher’s head tilts. “Last I heard, your plan was to seduce and ruin Rapsody, then send her packing.”

I glare at the door Nero just left through, knowing he opened his big fucking mouth.

Anabelle’s mouth drops open, and she looks between Asher and me. Obviously, this is the first she’s heard about it.

“Things have changed,” I say.

Have they? I don’t even really know myself. All I know is that lately, revenge hasn’t been at the forefront of my mind and hasn’t felt as important.

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