Page 53 of Her Males

I lean against Gray’s shoulder as he wraps an arm around my lower back and holds my hip closest to Silas. Silas slips his hand between my thighs and cups the one pressed against his.

It’s an appreciated comfort, but it doesn’t stop the anxiety I feel as I try to wrap my head around what the fuck just happened.

Aziel plants himself directly across from me instead of sitting behind his desk as he usually does. His knees touch mine, the man unnecessarily close.

“I believe her,” I say. Shay’s persistence has me inclined to believe she’s telling the truth. “What other reason could she have to be pushing this hard? She’s risking her life each time she does it. I don’t imagine Levia would be happy to hear she’s going behind his back.”

Silas rubs his thumb against the inside of my thigh. He’s still angry with me for not screaming when Shay came into my office, but he’s slowly warming back up.

Aziel clears his throat and places a hand on my knee.

My neck cracks with how quickly I turn to look at it, my eyes bulging.

“What’s this?” I point to his hand.

Aziel frowns and tightens his grip, doubling down on his decision as his timid eyes turn hard.

“I’m comforting you. Don’t be whiny,” he snaps.

I push him away, beyond pissed. I don’t need the affection of somebody who’s going to insult me. Aziel’s frown deepens as I shove at his hand, and he retracts it with a loud scoff. I have half a mind to continue pushing him about his sudden weird inclination to touch me, but I change my mind and direct the conversation back to the females.

“It won’t kill you to have a conversation with Mammon to feel things out,” I suggest.

Aziel crosses his arms and leans back in his chair, and I deflate as I realize nobody is on my side. What more is it going to take?

“Charlie,” Gray says, his voice soft. “Shay’s a notorious liar.”

“Has she ever gone this far for a lie before?” I ask.

The silence I receive is answer enough, and I turn to Aziel, knowing he’s the final decision maker.

“Please,” I beg.

He looks at the ceiling with a sigh, and I bounce my knees as I wait for a response. He’s got to see how hard she’s trying. I understand Shay doesn’t have the best track record regarding these things, but there’s no harm in having a conversation with Mammon.

I once told Silas I’d do whatever it takes to help the females, and I meant it.

Aziel finally answers. “I haven’t spoken to Mammon in over a hundred years. If I suddenly start a conversation, she’s going to dig into our lives for the reason why and I’m sure it won’t take long for her to find it.”

I shake my head, refusing to believe it.

Aziel’s eyes soften as the tears in my waterline grow, and I turn away so he can’t see.

“There has to be something we can do,” I say, wincing as my voice cracks.

The hand Aziel removed from my knee earlier is returned, and I watch his fingers curl and squeeze into the material of my leggings. Why does he keep touching me?

We’ve shared the occasional hate-filled kiss before, and he, without fail, always treats me like shit afterward. I will not fall into whatever emotional trap he’s laid out for me.

“I trust Levia,” he says.

“I don’t,” I grumble, fumbling for an idea.

My temples throb when I think of one.

“Rock told me you’re a bit of a hot commodity,” I say to Aziel. “What if you told Mammon you want to bond with her? I don’t think it’d be too surprising. She’s strong and everything, which is what you want.” My voice is shrill, unintentionally giving away how much the idea upsets me.

Gray’s spine straightens, and Silas leans back against the couch cushions.

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