Page 51 of Twisted Truths

“This can’t be good,” Kol mumbles, his hand linked with Rapsody’s.

“And why’s that?” I ask, not bothering to sit.

“You’re starting in like you’re at the head of a boardroom table—lubing us up before you really fuck us up the ass.”

I set my hands on my hips. “Fine. I’ll get right to the point then. I’ll be initiating Ariana into the Ritual Room at the next meeting.”

A stunned silence fills the room.

“You’re sleeping with your assistant?” Asher says, clearly unimpressed.

I narrow my eyes at him. “Are you of all people really asking me that question?” I look at Anabelle.

Her cheeks go red, and she shrugs.

“What happened to wanting to get rid of her?” Kol asks.

I’m unwilling to explain to everyone the pull I feel toward her, so I don’t answer him.

“You know what it means if you bring her in,” Asher warns.

“She’s here to stay then? You care about her that much?” Nero asks.

I can’t tell them the truth—that we have a deal that doesn’t involve emotions. They’d never clear her to join. So I have to lie. The rest will work itself out. Why should I be the only one of the four of us who can’t have the person they want there with them?

“I know what it means,” I confirm with a nod.

Kol stands from where he sits beside Rapsody on the couch and walks over to grip my shoulder. “I’m happy for you, Sid. You deserve this.”

All the women have big smiles and trade comments about how they can’t wait to get to know Ariana and how she must really be special if I want to initiate her.

Jesus, the way they’re reacting, you’d think I just told them I’m engaged.

Nero walks over with a huge smile. “This is a good thing. Don’t look so uncomfortable.”

The only reason I’m uncomfortable is because of how things went down between us before I took off. I haven’t really seen much of him, but I realize now that I owe both him and Cinder an apology.

“Listen…” I shove my hands into the pockets of my suit pants. “What happened before all the shit went down with you and Cinder, and I took off…”

The smile drops from his face, and he becomes serious. “I know you were in a bad way, brother. Don’t worry about it.”

I nod. He knows our history, my past, and I’m grateful to him for letting me off easy and not making me grovel. “I appreciate that, but I still need to apologize to your girlfriend.”

Nero gives me an appreciative smile that tells me all is really forgiven now, and he calls Cinder over to join us. She does, if a bit apprehensively.

“Cinder, I just wanted to apologize for the things I said to you before. My head wasn’t in a good place, but regardless, I should never have said them. I hope you can forgive me.”

She doesn’t put up a fight, just smiles and draws me into a hug, which I return even if I just pat her back and never step all the way into the hug. “I appreciate the apology. Let’s start fresh, okay?”

She pulls away, and I nod.

I chat with Nero and Cinder for another minute before I excuse myself, saying I need to get back to my office to start my day. Before I go, I step over to Asher, who’s standing on his own, leaning against the mantle of the oversized fireplace, hands in his pockets, observing the rest of us.

He doesn’t look away from everyone else as I approach. “Who would have ever thought this was possible?”

My forehead creases. “What do you mean?”

He spares me a glance. “Look around, Sid. How long has it been since this place was filled with anything but hurt and sorrow, misery and violence?”

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