Page 29 of Hell on Wheels

“No, no, no. I’m a brawler—I race cars and smack people on skates. Guardians protect charges, not sit on thrones and eat grapes, while men act like dickless tyrants.” I back away from them both, feeling my chest tighten as the gravity of what’s happened sinks in. “And I’m not built for monogamy. Or motherhood, for that matter.”

Damon pouts when I move away and Angelo bursts out laughing. Anger fills me and I feel the magic welling within as the sensation of being trapped makes me lose my temper.Neither of them moves, but their mirth is apparent as they watch my fury build. Sparks arc across my fingertips and finally Angelo reaches forward and hauls me against him.

“We aren’t from the old school, Princess. Our queen does what she wants—even if it’s our friends.”

Their… friends?!! What the actual?—

“The only people who don’t see what’s coming are you and Reb. We’ll square our little polycule with our folks, Sparkles. Dad wants Angelo and I to take his place when he retires. If he wants us to rule, he will have to accept our terms.” Damon rises and presses against my back, sandwiching me between them again.

“Archer won’t have an issue—Samara has her own harem. Javi might have a fight on his hands because his folks are as old world as ours, but we can handle it as a family. I have no doubt you’ll get the stubborn women who rule our clans to respect you.”

I swallow hard, shaking my head. “I won’t need to. None of this is true, and you guys are insane.”

“Rebel’s gonna be the hard sell. He’s so fucking stubborn, and he’s purposefully kept you in the little sister box to keep you at a distance. He’ll be worse than the moms, for sure.”

I turn to look at Damon, my expression full of disbelief. “You are both certifiable and we need to get back to the rave before the others check on the tracker and notice I’m missing.”

Angelo winks at me. “Trust me, Princess. We didn’t inhale any Fae dust. You’ll find out soon enough. Once they get a whiff of our scent, it’s going to be a race to see who can lay claim next.”

I elbow Damon in the gut when he snickers and then stomp on Angelo’s instep hard. “Just take me back and keep your big trapsshut. I have a big match with the Mollies and a triathlon to train for—I don’t need this Gemini bullshit to distract me.”

“Famous last words, Princess.”

My response is swallowed by the vacuum of Damon’s portal as he does exactly what I asked at the perfect time to also please his brother.

Men are so fucking dramatic.

***

When we step out of the rip in space and time, I can’t stop myself from looking around to make certain I don’t see anyone suspicious. I hate that it’s becoming a knee-jerk reaction, but after the fight at the club and the trolls tonight… I’d have to be an idiot not to watch my surroundings more closely.

“Don’t worry, Sparkles. We won’t let anything get near you,” Damon whispers in my ear.

Snorting, I arch a brow at him. “You remember that I had the troll situation handled when you both flew in like giant vultures, right? The hellfire was a bonus, but I was warming up my magic while I toyed with them.”

They don’t need to know I wasn’t sure I had enough power to eliminate all three. Their egos are as big as their monster dicks as it is. I probably shouldn’t say the monster dick thing out loud, either, come to think of it.

“If you say so, Princess.” Angelo grabs my hand and kisses my knuckles. “Far be it for me to argue with the queen.”

My eyes widen, and I yank my hand away. “Oh no. Uh-uh. Absolutely the fuck not. I don’t wanteitherof you saying shit like that until I’ve come to terms with this myself and spoken with… whomever I need to speak to.”

They look at one another and then turn back to me with bright smiles. “Your wish is our command.”

Gag me with a spoon.

“Hey, dickheads!”

The voice comes from the backstage area, and I stride towards it quickly. I’d know Archie’s laid-back drawl anywhere and where he goes, the other two will be close by. If I can gather them up, I might finally enjoy the music before someone tries to kill or fuck me again.

My life is seriously out of control; I know.

Leading my demon shadows down the path to the outdoor lounge, I find Archie, Javi, and Reb sprawled on giant cushions. The lounge is tricked out to look like someArabian Nightsfever dream, and the boys are clearly enjoying the benefit of all the illegal substances in the air. I cross my arms over my chest, looking at them with an amused smirk—finding all three of them violating Reb’s edict makes my shitshow look small in comparison.

“How did you guys plan to keep track of me, much less defend me, when you’re all tripping balls?”

Archie rolls to his feet, wrapping his long, lithe frame around me. “Wheels, I’m so glad you’re here! We have great news!”

I give the rest of them a ‘help’ look, but they just snicker. Guess I’m on my own with the touchy-feely hockey god. “Um, that’s great, Arch. What’s your news?”

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