Page 24 of Primal God

“Well, I know I’m not family yet, but a friend is a second close, right?”

“Yet? Wow, you’re awfully confident.”

He gives me a small smile. “You have no idea.”

“Well,friend, I hate to cut this short, but I need to run.”

“Should I be worried?”

I glance at him. “What do you mean?”

“Are you leaving to go on a date?” He taps his smartwatch, showing the time.

I snort out a laugh. “Not a date. It’s a job interview.”

“But…you already have two jobs.”

“I know.” I stand, gathering my things. “I like to stay busy.”

“Damn. I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Well, Adam, it was nice to meet you.”

“You, too, Lili.” He smiles up at me. “I look forward to seeing you again.”

I say nothing and walk away. When I get to the door, I find him turned in his seat watching me, a smile still on his handsome face.

And when my phone buzzes, I already know it’s him.

6

Dimitri

I’ve been unsettled since Lilith called, and I’m not sure why.

Running my hand over my face, I groan.

That’s a lie.

I know. It’s because she’s going to be back in my house, and I’m not prepared for what that means for me. I thought I was over the infatuation with her, but a few months after Serafina passed away, I suddenly started having illicit dreams about Ms. Wolfe. Dreams that leave me waking up hard. Dreams that have me reaching for her only to find an empty bed. It’s maddening, and yet I’m tempting fate by bringing her into my home.

With everything going on right now, I should just tell her I don’t need her. But I’m a selfish man, which is why she’ll be here in less than ten minutes.

My phone buzzes with a text, pulling me from my thoughts.

Grant Carter

Just checking in. Are you ready for the ceremony?

No. Not at all.

I felt the same way. Let me know if you need anything.

I don’t respond. Exhaling, I leave my office. I should be honored that the President of the United States took time out of his busy day to check on me, but I’m not. Because I don’t want this promotion within the Defiant God Brotherhood. But I have no choice. In three weeks, I become an Elite Member, meaning I sit on the committee that rules over the Brotherhood.

I’ve worked hard to make myself valuable to the Brotherhood without standing out. After years of positioning myself, they finally allowed me to live my life the way I wanted. I work. I spend time with my family. And that’s enough for me. Even though others within the Brotherhood wanted me to take a different path. A path that would have pulled me away from my children.

But now I’m unsure what my future is going to look like. Being an Elite Member changes everything. If Serafina were here, she’d be over the moon happy, not caring that this change might hurt our kids.

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