Page 22 of Conquered Obstacles

The plan worked well. Ridiculously well, and people were thrilled that they had more options than downtown Boston.

We did more sales with the very limited special menu than we had for Valentine’s Day even with all the crazy from people trying to sabotage us. So yes, we were never going to be a fad, and we needed to keep scaling up to take over the world as the twins kept saying.

Just to be nice, I made sure we had “extras” that Colton could give out to all of his crews and employees since they had done a lot for us. We gave a lot to all of the covens and even the pack. I went around with Hades, and we filled up every vampire location we’d visited and left a note for them to enjoy.

We had plans to speak with more of his covens and meet them. It would be better if we… Not kept tabs on them but showed them that we were being involved again? Were glad they were doing well instead of the crazy cults and bullshit the wolves were doing?

Yes, that. For sure. I said as much to the few ancients we came across while we were leaving treats. They said they would talk to others, but maybe there was someone else who could distribute the treats instead of Hades himself.

Which amused my brother to no end.

I said if I could get a list of addresses, the twins even could with my power, or I could channel Hades to make the treats and we could just send them that way. Some designated spot where people could always have extra food given times were tough and the economy was always hard for those who lived in the shadows.

Not normally the ancients. You didn’t live that long and weren’t smart, but especially the young ones struggled.

The ancients were amused as a few coven leaders were struggling after having my desserts, outing themselves as not being good people. One started problems that it had all been a trap to get rid of him since they didn’t like him and he’d said some unsavory things… Which led to his head being taken before he’d insulted Hades to his face.

My brother was a bit too amused which meant the vampire that had insulted Hades when he’d reached the underworld. I left it alone. It wasn’t my domain or issue to manage.

As long as Hades wasn’t torturing people for fun or like a junkie wanting a fix, I didn’t care. People needed to be punished, and I liked bad people getting theirs as well.

I went over the line too. It was knowing that we all needed to step back over that line that was important.

So Hades and I kept making more treats and spreading happy and karma. We left pallets at hospitals in different parts of the country that hadn’t been expecting them and doing some good.

It was nice and for a split second, just a fraction of a moment, I saw that coldness leave his eyes. Maybe I imagined it, but I would swear until my last day that I saw what I did.

And that hope meant everything to me. It was what I needed more than anything and I would cling to it, share it with Poseidon as well.

But because things were going so well, I decided to take a chance and have lunch with Isiah on Tuesday when the bakery was closed. I deep-cleaned it and had piles of everything I needed to do, but I missed him. I had nothing ready, and my house was basically empty but… I just missed him.

And clearly, he missed me as well when he was over two hours early. I heard his truck pull up the driveway and chuckled, using my power to shower myself and change before appearing at the door and opening it.

“I’m early,” he acknowledged sheepishly. “I’m stupid early, but it was sit at home being ready early and stare at the clock and sweat too much or just come here and hope that you didn’t think that—”

“I’ve missed you too,” I said, giving the man a break.

“Yeah?”

“Yeah,” I chuckled, stepping out and walking towards him. “Thank you for being so patient. Things… What happened with Colton and the descendants of my priests had nothing to do with you or even the misstep your coven had. I’m sorry it made me push you away again and—I’m sorry. I’ve been unfair to you. And then when you tried to help with Demarcus…”

He moved closer and brushed his lips against my cheek but very carefully didn’t put his hands on me. “I can be patient, give you all the time you need, but I get too anxious and lost when I feel like we might end. I need you, Arabella. I don’t want you to pick Jamie over me. I can be what you need too.”

I was quiet a few moments which I knew wasn’t nice, but I wanted to consider what he’d said like he always did for me. “I don’t feel like it’s him or you. I want you in my life. It’s not fair, but you being a priest is more complicated for me. I’ve always said that. I’ve always been honest about that. Yes, the trip up you had opened an old wound, but what happened with Colton…”

“I know. I know. I just need you to not shut me out.”

“I’m trying.”

“I know. I know, Arabella. I saw how fast you took that card from Demarcus. He did too. We all did. You want to move on. You don’t just lash out or blame your reactions on what happened to you or—you warned me from the beginning. Even when you’re harsh, you admit it. I’m just telling you where I’m at too.”

I stepped back and searched his eyes. “You’re saying you need time with me and communication even if it’s not intimate?”

He was quiet a moment before nodding. “Yes, that’s what I’m saying. I need to feel part of your life and that you want me in your life.”

“Done, because I do.” I gestured between us and then to his hands. “That helped. Right now, the idea of a priest touching me is too much. It’s not fair but—I don’t mean to hurt you, but Jamie isn’t complicated. He’s also not scary. He lets me—you and Colton are commanding. You are leaders. It’s all…”

“Whatever helps you and makes sense,” he said gently. “I always knew it wasn’t only going to be me.”

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