Page 80 of Her Males

I’m glad Kato could sense something was up with Mammon and doesn’t seem intimidated by the fact that she has use for me. Mammon is hellbent on Aziel paying for this project, and I honestly have no idea how far she’s willing to go to get what she wants.

Chev follows us, his footsteps eerily quiet despite his proximity.

I can only imagine what Rock’s thinking right now. He’s probably wondering how I got into this mess and what part of my brain is malfunctioning. I hope asking him to bring me here wasn’t a mistake.

The old Charlie would have thought I’m cool, running away from my males and venturing on my own. I feel far from cool right now, though. I’m way over my head.

“You can call me ‘Charlie,’” I say as Kato turns and leads us toward a small cabin.

It’s a bit farther from the others, which isn’t a surprise. I’m sure they want to keep some distance from Rock and me.

“Charlie, huh? I like it.” Kato steps to the side and gestures to the wooden front door of the cabin. “Everything you need should be in there, and I’ll have a cot brought in for the shadow.”

I offer him a grateful smile.

He offers a polite nod of his head. “Chev will stand guard to ensure no Greeds show up to try to snatch you. I must leave for a meeting, but my daughter will probably make her way over when she hears you’ve arrived. She has many questions about your incubus. Don’t answer them.” Kato speaks as if he’s reading off a mental checklist. “There’s food in there, but my mate will probably insist on bringing you dinner.”

This is a lot.

“I have things to do today,” Chev complains, gesturing angrily to the woods beyond the cabin.

Kato shrugs. “Yes. Watching Charlie.” His tone leaves no room for discussion.

Kato and Chev glare at one another, neither seemingly wanting to give in. My gaze darts between the two as I wait to see who’ll be the first to submit. I’m not entirely surprised when it’s Chev, his shoulders slumping forward as he plops down on the small patio built around the front of the cabin.

Kato’s eyes soften as he watches his son, his chest expanding as he sucks in a deep breath and pats the man on the head.

“You’re safe here,” Kato promises me.

My body is sore and exhausted, and I let Rock bring me inside and set me on the couch. The place is surprisingly cozy, the front door opening up to a tiny living area and kitchenette. Directly across from the front door is a short hallway, no more than three steps deep, with one door on the left and another on the right.

Rock moves to the kitchenette and pulls open the fridge while I force myself back to my feet and move to see what’s behind the doors. The one on the left opens to a bedroom, the room just large enough to fit a twin bed and dresser, and the door on the right opens to a small bathroom.

I’m surprised by the sheer amount of toiletries. Kato wasn’t lying when he said the place was stocked.

“Charlie, come here!” Rock shouts, his voice gargled.

My nose scrunches as I exit the bathroom and round the corner leading into the main living area. Rock stands behind the kitchen island shoving some food in his mouth, the sight freezing me in my steps. He holds an odd-looking brown meat chunk out to me, and with a chuckle, I step forward and take it.

“It’s Ucka, a very rare animal that only grows in the shifter lands,” he says, shoving another large chunk in his mouth.

I set the Ucka on the table. I’ll try it in a bit, but we need to talk first.

“Tell me everything,” I say, pulling out one of the two stools tucked underneath the island and sitting on it. “Starting with what happened after I left. Did Gray and Silas send you to watch me?”

Rock clears his throat and sets down his meat.

I take a moment to glance at the open shelving behind him. I recognize some of the food on it, the staples like rice and beans, but most of what’s here is unrecognizable.

“Your males went ballistic when they found out you were gone, but I honestly didn’t stick around for long,” he says.

There’s a creak from outside the front door, and I turn to look through the thin crack in the wood. I make eye contact with Chev as he peers through it, the nosy shifter probably wanting to hear the story.

My cheeks heat as I look away, unsure of what to make of him. He doesn’t seem unfriendly, but he’s clearly wary of us being here. Rock and I are strangers looking for refuge from two demon royals. It’s not exactly an everyday occurrence, or a welcome one.

“They didn’t send me,” Rock says, “but I was worried about you and came myself. I was following you around the castle and overheard what Mammon was saying. I’m not letting you be pawned off to the ogres.” His voice lowers as he speaks about Mammon.

Rock purses his lips, contemplating, before continuing. “I need to tell your males you left Greed. They won’t come for you if you don’t want it, but it’s better if they know not to believe the lies Mammon will undoubtedly feed them.”

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