I hum, craning my neck so I can see around Gray’s hair. He moves at the exact moment I do, and with a quiet sigh, I reach up and nudge his head out of the way.Fucking incubus.
“I’m willing to support in other ways, too,” I retort.
The guards along the far wall continue to shift, their eyes darting between Mammon and me. They’re scared I will attack, and if it weren’t for Gray, I probably would. She only stationed a few guards inside the room, but I’m willing to bet dozens more are lingering just beyond the doors.
“We don’t need, or want, that.” She clears her throat, her earlier confidence wavering.
“But you want my money.” I shake my head with a humorless chuckle. “And, let me guess, your plan spares no expense? Only the best for Mammon and her humanitarian causes. You can take your plan and shove—”
Silas interrupts. “We’re willing to help, but we won’t support the entirety of this project. Send over a list of what you need, and I’ll set aside some budget for you.”
Mammon’s fists slam onto the table, cracking the surface. Oh, fun. I like when she’s angry.
“You’ll be paying the amount I tell you.”
I raise a brow, mildly entertained. Ballsy to assume I’ll be paying her anything with that attitude. The only reason I’m even considering this is because I know Charlie will want me to, and at this rate, I’m willing to do anything to get us on her good side.
Beyond my selfish reasons for wanting her back, my males are struggling. Gray’s hunger strike is unheard of, and while Silas is putting on a calm façade, the growing bags under his eyes tell me he’s not getting much sleep.
They feel betrayed.
Rock said Charlie’s been made aware we aren’t a danger to her, but she still chooses to send us on a fucking scavenger hunt. The shadow’s purposely elusive, too, refusing to give us meaningful information on what she’s doing with the shifters.
I’d wring his throat if I didn’t appreciate him keeping her safe and providing her comfort.
Besides, I’ll enjoy hearing her tell me herself when she returns. I’ll wait patiently for her to share before punishing her for leaving. I’m done moping around, waiting for her to choose me.
She’s mine, and she’s going to know it.
Silas and Mammon continue going back and forth until Mammon gives in and has a shadow bring over a stack of paperwork outlining the specific items they need money for. It’s pages thick, and I know it will be a headache to sift through.
Charlie better fucking appreciate this.
“We’re prepared to fight if you don’t agree to these terms,” Mammon says, her threats going in one ear and out the other.
Let her try.
20
_____
CHARLOTTE
ECHO GIGGLES AND smacks me on the arm with her stick.
“You bitch.” I gasp, clutching my side in pain.
“Come on, human!” she taunts, poking me in the belly with the tip. “Show me what you’ve got.”
Kato and Chev sit on the ground a few yards away, their laughing distracting as I roll my shoulders back and lunge for Echo. She screams and dodges me, but I still manage to draw a tiny sliver of blood with my sword.
My head aches from all her loud noises, the shifters finding it best to fight while yelling like a bunch of banshees, but it does make things more entertaining. Plus, they gave me a real sword to fight with. It’s thin and lightweight, and it’s proving to be a lot of fun.
I was offended at first when they gave Echo a stick and me a sword, but the dozens of tiny nicks I’ve made on her skin with it have me feeling a bit better.
She heals in seconds, but the blood still stains her leather.
“Our little prodigy!” Kato shouts, clapping as Echo hisses and turns to stare at her cut arm.