Page 4 of Insatiable

“Next week?” Dade cuts in, raising an eyebrow. “They usually reveal it sooner.”

George strides over to him, clapping him on the shoulder in what seems like a friendly gesture. But I can see Dade stiffen, his discomfort evident despite his stoic expression. Being touched by a demon would unsettle anyone, but Dade’s always been one to keep people—especially creatures like George—at arm’s length. He was never the type to make friends.

“I want you all to truly understand what it means to be part of my ‘home’ first,” George explains with a sly smile. “Besides, Anthura and Moloch were unexpected additions to the team, so I’d like them to be fully informed before we embark on the three challenges. Let’s ensure everyone is well-fed with information before moving forward.”

As soon as it's clear that the meeting is over, Juliette practically drags me up from the sofa as Quinn rushes over to speak with Dade, leaving us alone for a brief moment.

I turn away, trying not to look, but the sight of them still lingers in my mind. Quinn and her… laughing, leaning into each other, completely lost in their own world, like nothing else exists. It hurts more than I want to admit, a brutal reminder that some people get to find “the one”—they get to feel that kind of happiness. And I know I’ll never have it. Not in the way they do.

I’m happy for Quinn,really, I am, but every glance, every smile between them cuts deeper, showing me how pathetic my own situation is. I’ve wound up here, wrapped in this mess, hoping for something I know I can’t have. It’s pitiful, a sad reminder that whatever it is I’m chasing doesn’t come with a happyending. And watching them, seeing what I’ll never get? It just reminds me how empty I am. How empty I’ll always be. I don’t want to look anywhere else either, so I turn to Juliette. I was expecting an expression of thorough excitement on her face owing to the fact it's breakfast time and the only thing she likes more than breakfast is cock, but she looks strangely subdued.

“Let’s go get breakfast,” she says, her face lighting up a bit at the mention of her favorite meal. “I can’t wait to see what smells so good.”

My own enthusiasm doesn’t quite match hers. The nausea gnaws at me, but maybe food will help. We weave through the group as they disperse, heading toward the dining area. Just as we round the back of the sofas, someone steps into our path. My stomach lurches for a different reason this time, sinking when I see who it is—Felix. As always, he looks infuriatingly perfect, like he’s been sculpted by the gods themselves—impossibly handsome, every inch of him put together like some kind of untouchable deity. No flaws at all. Well, except for his disgusting personality. Let's not forget the transphobia, the bullying, and the fact that he’s a complete and utter asshole. Oh, and the father of my unborn child. How could I forget that? “What do you want, Felix?” I snap, unable to keep the irritation from my voice. The effort to keep cool feels like it’s draining every ounce of energy I have left.

He stares at me like I’ve just asked the most ridiculous question in the world. And maybe I have. It’s obvious what he wants. Now that I’m pregnant with his child, he has even more ammunition to torment me with. My stomach tightens as I brace for his usual cruelty.

“I want to talk to you... about...” His gaze shifts down to my stomach. Instinctively, I cover it with my hands, as if that could somehow shield me from his scrutiny.

"Sure, but can we make it a musical? I’ve been practicing my jazz hands!" I blurt out. Kill me now. Even at a time like this, I can’t seem to get over my habit of using stupid humor to deflect.

Felix looks at me like I’ve gone completely insane, and maybe I have. Speaking to him used to be so easy, even fun in a twisted way. He’d call me a gross slur, I’d insult his intelligence, and then we’d walk away feeling like we’d both won some kind of strange battle. But it stopped being funny after... after we slept together. And apparently, I’ve stopped being funny too.

“I think we should talk about this,” Felix presses. “Is it?—”

“Stop right there!” Juliette commands, stepping in front of me with a hand raised, her voice sharp enough to cut the tension. Relief floods me. He was about to ask if the baby was his, and I’ve never been more grateful for Juliette’s impeccable timing. “She said she didn’t want to talk to you, so take a hike. We’re going for breakfast.”

Felix’s jaw tightens, a muscle ticking as he tries to hold back whatever insult is on the tip of his tongue. “Actually, she said she’d talk to me, just in a fucking weird way. I just want to ask her something.”

“I’m right here, Barclay,” I snap, my frustration boiling over. “Stop talking about me like I’m not standing two feet away. I’m telling you I don’t have anything to say, and I’m not answering any of your questions.”

“But—”

“You heard the lady.” A black blur cuts between us as Dade steps in, his massive wings flaring like a shield. Dade never gave a damn about anyone but himself—and maybe Quinn—before this moment, but I’m not about to question it. Not when I’ve never been more grateful for the interference. His wingspan blocks Felix completely, and without a word, Juliette and I take the opportunity to slip past.

We’re halfway down the hall before Felix even realizes we’re gone.

3

A BLAST FROM THE PAST

JULIETTE

“Finally!” I breathe out as I slide into one of the booths in the restaurant. I know Ro needs to talk about the pregnancy, but I won’t be able to hear a word she says until I eat some of whatever that delicious smell is. I look around for a waiter but none appear like they usually do. My stomach growls impatiently. “I swear to God... or Satan, that if they don’t appear with breakfast soon, I’m going to start eating this table.” Just then, Orlin shuffles past with a clapboard, saying SINNERS—ALL OF YOU on it. How he got into this circle is beyond me. I know I wasn’t sleeping with him, so how he was getting such high points in the challenges in Lust is a mystery.

“I’m sure they’ll be here in a few minutes,” Ro snaps.

I hold my hand out to her. “Sorry. I know we should talk. It’s just this smell is driving me to distraction. It smells like the bacon is so close it’s being cooked right under the table.” I duck down to check, but of course there’s nothing but Ro’s and my legs.

“I don’t smell anything but donuts. It’s making me sick, to be honest.”

She does look a bit pale, but then again, Ro always has. Just then, Quinn slips into the booth seat next to her.

“I thought you’d be catching up with Dade. Some morning rumpy-pumpy.” I raise my eyebrows and flash her a grin. “He was super hot with his wings out like that.”

She rolls her eyes. “I literally saw him last night... and I said I’d come up to his room later. I wanted to be here for Ro.”

Ro gives her a small smile.

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