Page 87 of A Very Addicted Christmas

In truth, I’m hoping it’s not now. I’m hoping there is nothing tragic he’s hiding from me, and he simply did a stupid dare last night for shits and giggles.

“My eyes don’t deceive,” I tell him plainly. “Yours, however, will be in a glass jar fermenting on a bookshelf if you think to deceive me.”

Eliot touches his heart. “You would blind me.”

“For being a little shit, yes.”

He grins, a softness in it—which I see as his love for me.

If he’s trying to makemesoft...it might be working. I let out a long sigh. “Really, what happened last night?”

“I thought you saw the video,” he states. “It was a dare.” He holds out his hands, as if it’s as simple as that.

“Just you and Donnelly?” I question. “Where were Luna and Tom?”

“Asleep.”

“If this was an initiation?—”

“What?” His brows shoot up. “No. No.” He’s waving his hands at me, and he seems a little offended that I’d think it.

“You put Thatcher through more than an ice plunge in the lake,” I remind him.

Eliot lets out a tight noise, then comes off the railing. Bare feet on the deck. “That was because he was dating our big sister. The first to enter the fold. This...him...now...” He’s referring to Donnelly, the kidnapping, Luna dating him. “It’s different.”

I stare at my adult son.

He’s getting older. It’s both terrifying and comforting. Especially after nearly losing Luna and Lily...

I blink away a rush of emotion. The wind grows fiercer, and goosebumps form on his skin, the only giveaway now that he’s cold.

Eliot studies my unbending, stiff posture. “You’re really not cold?”

The backdoor opens just as I say, “My blood is made of volcanic matter.”

“Which part of the volcano is that?” Connor asks, slipping outside.

“The lava,” I snap. “To smother you with.”

He grins.

“Two against one?” Eliot asks with a rising grin. “I’m flattered you knew it’d take you both to unseat me.” He leans an elbow on the railing.

Connor comes to my side, and he hands Eliot his peacoat. “Even if you were only talking to one of us, it’d be two against one.”

Translation: We’re a team.Always.

Eliot accepts the coat and fits his arms through it. “I told you both the truth, you realize. There is nothing to uncover.”

“It was just a dare?” I say in disbelief.

“Lie better, and we’ll believe you,” Connor adds.

Eliot puts a hand to his chest. “But you’re a lie detector. I can’t beat a machine.”

“Then don’t lie,” I counter. “That’s your other option.”

Eliot intakes a deeper breath, eyes flitting to the house, then to us. Heavy concern weighs on his broad shoulders, but he just says, “There are some things I’ll take to my grave. It’s rather full. I might need an extra coffin or two.” His smile is sadder. Solemn. “It was just an accident. The ice broke. I fell waist-deep in the water. Farrow checked on me that night. I was fine. That’s all you need to know, and I’d hope you’d respect that.”

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