Page 51 of Chev's Mate

Her bedroom smells so strongly of her, and I allow myself to enjoy it as I pull back her sheets and lay her down. I love how her nose scrunches when I finally pull away, and I hurry back as she cracks open an eye and peers up at me.

I don’t want her to be scared of me, and I slouch my shoulders as she looks around the room. It was a bad idea to bring her up here. This is her private space, and I shouldn’t have intruded.

To my complete surprise, though, Vanessa blows out a tuft of air and rolls away. I don’t think I’ve ever felt more relief, and despite how badly I want to stay here and watch, I remember Charlie’s advice and leave.

My mate likes privacy, and I need to give her space.

I don’t want to go, and I make sure to lock all of Vanessa’s doors and windows before shifting into my bear and returning to Aziel’s home. Silas is waiting for me.

“Where were you?” he asks.

I don’t answer. I am an adult, and the time I spend with my mate is of no concern to him.

“You have an interview tomorrow morning. The crew will be at your office at six sharp,” Silas continues, following me through the house. “Aziel said you wish to discuss the rumors of you and Vanessa, but you’ll have to tell the reporters what topics are off-limits.”

“Nothing is off-limits,” I say.

I wish to clear every rumor spreading about Vanessa and me.

Silas clears his throat. “Are you sure? They’re going to—”

“I’m sure.” I turn into my bedroom and shut the door in his face.

Vanessa is sure to find a way to look herself up tomorrow morning, and I want my interview to be the first thing she sees.Everybody will be talking about it, and I want to clutter the feeds so Vanessa can’t find the cruel articles already written about her.

If I could, I’d have Silas scrub the articles from the internet, but I fear upsetting the balance. Things are working well for us right now, and I don’t want to give Mammon a reason to speak out against us. Controlling the media is a sure way to do that.

I go to bed, and I wake up and dress before the sun rises. My interview isn’t for several more hours, and I sit at the kitchen island and prepare myself for every possible question that will be thrown at me.

The house gradually begins to stir, and when I hear tiny feet pattering in my direction, I get up and begin pulling food out of Aziel’s fridge. The shadows typically cook all our meals, but the children wake early—and hungry.

“Uncle Chev!”

I hum and turn toward the tiny demon standing at my feet. Valeria holds the stuffed bear I gave her for her birthday last year, her sticky fingers curled around its throat as she drags it behind her. It’s a very ominous hold, but I suppose I should be complimented by how much she likes my gift.

It looks just like me.

Gray says she sleeps with it every night, and I smile before picking her up and setting her on the kitchen counter.

“Are you hungry?” I ask. I already know the answer.

Valeria nods, and I listen to see if any of her parents are awake before pouring her a bowl of cereal and milk. I should make her something nutritious, but I lack patience this morning. Plus, her parents don’t let her eat sugary foods for breakfast, and I’m not above breaking the rules to win her affection.

I want the tiny fate to like me.

“Are you excited to start school next week?” I ask, leading her to the table.

She beams, and I resist the urge to laugh when she sets her stuffed bear on the seat beside her. I put the cereal in front of her, beyond proud of myself as she begins to scarf it down.

“Daddy A’s taking me shopping for new dresses today,” she says, her chin held high. “He said I can pick out five.”

I sit across from her and steal one of the marshmallow bits from her bowl.

“Do you know how many Cassia is getting?” she continues.

I shake my head. “How many?”

“None, because she’s not going to school because she’s still a baby.”

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