Page 130 of Succumbed

Linc blinks and looks down. Across the table, Declan’s scowl is deepening by the minute. Shane is silent and stoic beside me, though I can feel his piercing blue gaze boring twin holes in the side of my skull.

“I know you all know this, but the Summit was a resounding success. It couldn’t have gone better, from my perspective.” I glance at each of them, smiling encouragingly. “How are you feeling?”

Linc glances at Declan, then Shane. His Adam’s apple bobs before he speaks up.

“It was amazing, Lex. I mean, not only did Declan kill it on stage,” he says as he leans over to bump his shoulder to his brother’s, but Declan’s stony gaze doesn’t leave my face, “but we also made so many incredible connections. Thanks to you.”

“Thank you.” Shane reaches over to grip my thigh gently. “None of this would’ve happened without you.”

Their gratitude will be the death of me. “No, guys, don’t you see? I was just your…emotional support investor.”

Linc laughs, the sound buoying my mood despite Declan’s glower.

“Seriously,” I continue. “You are responsible for your success. Athena may have provided a catalyst, but the three of you are the ones who got Solum onto that stage and made the most of the opportunity.” Deciding to confront the bull head on, I turn to Declan. “Did you have anyone approach you about sales?”

He glares at me long enough for Linc to fidget. I wait him out. Don’t play this game with me, Wilde. You can’t win.

“Honestly, Lex, I don’t want to talk about sales at the moment,” he rasps.

My eyebrows rise. Shane rubs a hand over his forehead in the most overt expression of frustration I’ve seen from him.

“Tell me something. How can what happened last night not be the only thing on your mind? You trembled naked, nearly sobbing, in my arms for twenty minutes, and you want to talk about handing us off to Parker?”

I glance around the table, fighting the urge to worry my lower lip with my teeth. I haven’t done that since undergrad, for fuck’s sake. The tension around the table is palpable, Linc and Shane both eyeing Declan with a mixture of concern and wariness. Clearing my throat, I decide to deflect. For now.

“Declan, I’m not sure where your frustration is coming from. This conversation is just another business meeting. What we do in our personal time–”

“What we do in our personal time?” He sits back, expression incredulous. “Are you kidding me? We spend a fucking day and two nights like that, and it’s just business as usual? You’re handing us off to Parker and that’s it.”

“If you want to have a conversation about what’s between us–”

“What is between us, Lex, huh?” Declan presses, eyes wild as he leans across the table.

Linc and Shane look at each other, but I keep my gaze on the visibly angry man across from me.

“This is neither the time nor place to have that discussion.” My tone is cool, firm. I can barely breathe past the lump in my throat and tightness in my chest, but I lock it the fuck down.

“Why do you get to decide that? There’s three of us–”

“I don’t know what the fuck is going on right now, Declan, but keep me out of it,” Linc protests, throwing both hands up in surrender. “You do not speak for me. I agree with Lex; this isn’t the time or place.”

Declan’s jaw clenches as he turns wide eyes to his brother. “You’re kidding.”

“I’m not.”

“Dec, take a beat.” Shane’s deep voice carries a hint of command.

“I am not your sub.” Declan levels a finger at his friend before turning back to me. “Though maybe that’s what I need to do, hm?”

He cocks his head to the side, expression harsh. Discomfort writhes in my gut, a frisson of fear for what he’s planning tripping down my spine. For the first time since I started things with Linc, I’m nervous about what will happen next.

“Will you only give us the time of day when we’re making you come? Do I have to threaten you with punishment to get what I want?” Declan’s voice is dripping in sarcasm, his words ugly and cold.

I can’t look away from him, emotion gathering hot and wet in my throat. My lips part on a tentative breath as Declan continues, Shane rigid beside me.

“How many spankings will it take to get you to change the subject and talk about ‘what’s between us’?” He throws up air quotes as he speaks.

“Declan–” My voice is hoarse, thready.

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