Page 58 of Married to the Devil

“I was just coming to that conclusion,” Katarina says. “Your aunt has provided recommendations, but that doesn’t mean it’s the only way forward.”

I nod. “I’ve been relying too much on the direction of others because I felt directionless.”

“And now?”

Something quaking and frantic in my chestsettles. “I’ve been reminded that I’ve always needed to find my own way, and that I’m good at making things work out.”

The responsibility and the weight of the territory is still heavy, but it’s less like an inevitable draw and more like a pendulum gearing up the next swing of action.

The clarity is startling, but I’m under no illusion wrestling my new position will be easy. There’s a certain gargoyle who may take issue, but he had his chance to offer me the position I needed, and he squandered it as surely as the opportunity for a real mating.

So I’ll make my own position.

I voice my thoughts. “The Leonid territory is as much mine as it is his, and it’s time I act like it.”

19

BEN

“You’re distracted,”Kalos says.

“I’m not.” I turn from the window, unable to catch sight of Stella and Katarina on the patio below. She’s perfectly safe, but that doesn’t make it easier not to have eyes on her. I turn my wrist, the feel of the heavy bracelet there grounding me.

My boss gives me a bored look. “That wasn’t a question.”

I shake my head and focus my attention back on my tablet. “Things seem to be going well. Keller has really stepped up.” The words leave a sour taste on my tongue. “I guess I’m more replaceable than I thought.”

Kalos harrumphs and the disgruntled sound pulls a smile from me. “You are no such thing. Your absence is merely the price I must pay for this alliance.”

That’s not quite true, but the look on his face says that he’s aware that I’m the one choosing to involve myself in Stoneheart’s business.

“It’s not necessarily a bad thing to find something that won’t let your attention go,” Kalos says.

Would he say that if he knew that a portion of my mind is stuck in the memory of last night? Stella’s body bared and hersoft pussy wet with anticipation. Her tart flavor nearly had me coming in my pants…as much as the throb of Stoneheart’s cock against my tongue. The gargoyle is a siren’s song I was unprepared for.

“I’m loyal to you,” I say.

“I would never question that, but—” He shrugs, and my heart falls. “It’s not a bad thing to find someone.”

I make a dismissive sound. “It is if she’s married to a different territory leader.”

Kalos arches a brow. “I’ve known you since you were a boy, don’t try and tell me she’s the only one on your mind.”

I blink in shock. How?

The dragon’s golden eyes trap me, and he does that head tilt thing predators do when scoping out prey but what he’s sniffing out are secrets rather than a tasty rabbit. “Gargoyle societies are polyamorous. I was suspicious when he requested your services as bodyguard for his mate. That’s not a position he’d give to many.”

I don’t know how to respond to the fact that Kalos was aware of Stoneheart’s intentions before I was and still allowed me to accept the position. “You’re my family.”

“As you are mine,” Kalos says as if this is a fact rather than something he never admitted to before having a mate opened his heart. “And family doesn’t stop being family just because a crafty gargoyle is courting you.”

My cheeks burn. “I have responsibilities here, and he’s notcourtingme.”

“Maybe he should be. You are worth the effort.”

“Kalos—”

“I know you like change as much as I do”—which is not at all—“but you need to realize that having a family isn’t only about responsibility. We want you to be happy. I want you to be happy.”

---