Page 25 of Rook

“Even if it means bringing Rook and Luka into our bed?” There’s steel there, a backbone that’s always been part of her charm.

“Even then.” I let my hand rest on her knee, a silent plea for understanding. “This isn’t about possession or pleasure. It’s about standing guard over what matters most.”

Aisling looks away, and I know she’s waging wars inside her head, weighing loyalties against needs. The room’s quiet but for the sound of the city outside, life moving endlessly like the tide.

“Think about it, okay?” I say at last, my voice barely above a whisper, a thread tying her to me in the dimming light. “Luka didn’t hesitate yesterday. Jumped in front of you without a second thought.” I pause, let that sink in. “And Rook…hell, you’ve seen it too. The way he watches over you.”

Aisling shifts beside me, her grey eyes flickering with a storm of thoughts as she pulls the sheet tighter around her. “I know they’ve got my back. That’s not the point, Oberon.”

“Isn’t it?” I challenge, keeping my tone even. “It’s about more than just having your back, Aisling. It’s about being a fortress. Not just one or two of us, but all hands on deck.”

She bites her lip, clearly picturing the scene from yesterday—the chaos, the crack of gunfire, the rush to safety. “They’re good men,” she concedes. “But Gunnar…”

“Would want you safe above all else,” I cut in, firm. “Doesn’t matter if his pride gets dinged. You come first.”

Her resolve wavers, I can tell. She’s strong, but even the strongest steel bends under pressure. “I’ll think about it,” she murmurs, and something inside me tightens—hope, maybe.

“Think fast, then,” I reply, trying to keep the urgency out of my voice. “Your heat’s coming, and decisions need making.”

“Decisions that could change everything,” she whispers, more to herself than to me.

“Everything’s already changing, Ais. We just gotta ride the wave.”

Chapter twelve

Rook

Evening’s creeping in when the soft thud of footsteps on the stairs breaks into my focus. I don’t need to look up from the chaos erupting onscreen to know it’s Aisling, with Oberon trailing behind her like some devoted shadow. The flicker of the TV paints ghostly light across the room, and with every rapid-fire press of the controller buttons, another bad guy bites the digital dust.

“Hey,” I call out, not tearing my eyes away from the screen as I maneuver around virtual bullets. “Grab a bite before this gets cold.” I jerk my head back towards the kitchen counter—a mosaic of cartons offering up everything from greasy noodles to sushi rolls that glisten under the artificial glow.

“Looks like you’ve been holding down the fort,” Aisling says.

“Surviving more like,” I chuckle, blasting away the last enemy in sight. “Just keeping things interesting while I wait for the real action to start.”

The controller hits the table with a satisfying clack, signifying an end to virtual carnage. I lean back into the couch, watching Aisling fork a piece of sashimi like she’s contemplating its life choices before devouring it. Oberon’s busy nursing a carton of noodles, chopsticks a blur. Hunger pangs strike; I stalk over to the spread and snag myself another helping of spicy pork.

“Hope you’re hungry for more than takeout,” I say, my voice low as I slide back onto the leather next to them. “Inari Toure rang me up.”

Aisling’s gaze snaps to mine, sharp and calculating. I didn’t even know she was aware who Inari was—but I remind myself she knows more than I think, that she picked up all kinds of intel working at Dreamland. “And what does Oasis’ queenpin want with us?”

Her question is lined with the kind of intrigue that tells me she’s already spinning scenarios in her head…which basically affirms everything that Inari said about her. Aisling is a player, and she’s ready to get more involved in the game.

“Pack your bags,” I tell them, my tone serious, the atmosphere tight. “She’s summoning us to the the pleasure center of the west.”

“Oasis?” Oberon’s frown deepens, mirroring the crease in his forehead. It’s clear he’s chewing on more than just the noodles. “Doesn’t sound like a vacation.”

“Definitely not.” I pick at the food but my appetite’s taken a hit with the weight of Inari’s words still echoing in my skull. “Said it’s urgent.”

“Urgent how?” Aisling leans forward, predatory interest sharpening her features. She’s always had a nose for the critical, the decisive moments that define the game we’re all playing.

“New source of eros is leaking into her city, and she’s willing to provide manpower if I bring all my equipment and my nose for drugs,” I mutter. “So…off we go, like a dog on a leash.”

“Rook, hold up,” Oberon interjects, his tone serious enough to slap the sarcasm right off my tongue. “Ais is close to her heat. That trip could be a ticking bomb.”

“Damn.” I hadn’t factored in Aisling’s biology; the timing is a bitch and a half. But Inari’s call wasn’t a gentle nudge—it was a red alert. “Look, Oasis has facilities for that. They’re top-notch, probably the safest place for an omega to ride out her storm.”

“Facilities,” Oberon echoes, skepticism heavy as an anchor. “Like…”

---