Page 89 of Her Males

It would make everything so much easier if she were. Instead, she had to run off to the fucking shifters to do god knows what. That breed isn’t good for much beyond fighting, so I doubt she will enjoy her time there.

Charlie’s many things, but a warrior isn’t one of them. The poor female probably couldn’t even hurt a fly. It’s a miracle she lasted as long as she did in our home, my males and I rarely backing away from a fight.

I suppose that was part of the problem, though.

She didn’t enjoy our constant fighting and went as far as to cut her neck when the fights grew too frequent. It was dramatic—but effective in making us stop.

I wonder if Mammon’s going to give away that Charlie’s escaped or if she’s going to try to play us.

Probably the latter.

I clear my throat and place my hand on Gray’s thigh when he grows fidgety. It would’ve been wiser to have him sit next to Silas, the fate better at keeping him calm, but I let jealousy get the best of me and forced myself between the two.

“And Charlie is well?” I ask, cocking my head to the side.

Mammon’s eyes narrow as she tries to read us. I’d love to be in her mind, and I suck my cheeks into my mouth as she clenches her jaw and nods.

Lying sack of shit.

I wonder what Charlie would think if I killed Mammon. She’d probably be pissed. She always is.

“She’s doing as well as a person can when the Wrath Trio is hunting them,” Mammon says, poorly hidden anger lacing her words.

I grin and lean back in my seat.

It’s always entertaining when Mammon gets angry, the woman prone to sharp, snarky remarks and poorly executed insults. We haven’t spoken since I was forced to deal with her son, and if her clenched fists and tight jaw are anything to go by, I’d say she’s still pissed about it.

I suppose I don’t blame her, though.

I’d kill anybody who dared to harm so much as a hair on my child’s head, and I’m sure she feels the same way. It must be frustrating to sit across from the man who murdered your firstborn child and not be able to do anything about it.

Mammon’s no match against me, and I’m sure that knowledge kills her. She’ll never be able to avenge her oldest, and I won’t be surprised if I find a cluster of her children on my doorstep someday trying to do just that.

I’ll be merciful, though, and I’ll have my shadows return them alive.

“Hunting Charlie? We all know that’s not true.” I chuckle, enjoying how her guards shift along the far wall. “I hope you haven’t been telling our female those lies.”

It’s a good play on her end, even if it is annoying. Mammon’s genuine in her efforts to help the females, but I know her hatred of me overshadows that.

That’s the only reason she wanted to give Charlie to the ogres.

“I’ve only been telling her the truth,” Mammon says after a moment’s hesitation.

Silas and Gray bristle, the men identical in their movements as they shift and straighten their backs. My fingers dig into Gray’s thigh to stop whatever manic thoughts are brewing in his head. I want to seep into his mind and see what he’s thinking, but now’s not the time for that.

His mind is new to me, and I can’t maneuver around it as easily as I can with Silas.

Gray will feel my attempt and get riled up, and the last thing we need is him losing control inside Greed. If he gets violent, I for sure will.

Even Silas won’t be able to stop me. Our friendship is strong, but it’s not enough to outweigh the emotions Gray feeds me through our bond.

I really should’ve had them sit next to one another. As much as I hate it, Silas has taken my place as Gray’s person. The incubus cares for him more than he does me, and Silas is better equipped to help keep him calm.

The thought makes me angry, and I shut my eyes and breathe in the desperate hope of calming my pounding heart. Gray didn’t even consider marking me when I offered it, his loyalty to Charlie and Silas keeping him at an arm’s distance.

His rejection was humiliating, and I’ll never ask again.

Mammon looks elated by my visible struggle, and I clear my throat before wiping all emotion from my face. She doesn’t even know what I’m upset about.

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