Page 26 of Dante's Circle Reborn

He liked the seven, the seven lightning-struck women who had become a core part of his life. He didn’t get to see all of them at the same time often, not when each of them lived within their own realm, either ruling it or working with the monarchies. But he liked them, liked the way that, no matter what, they were always there for each other.

They were some of the most powerful supernaturals in any of the worlds, and he was blessed to be a part of the outer circle.

They finished their beers, and then the couple kept leaning forward, whispering to each other. Jonah finally rolled his eyes and cleared his throat.

“Okay, you two, go get a room. Or, you know, you have your own. You even have a few homes in the human realm. Why don’t you use one?”

“Because we’re here with you,” Malik said, even though he was looking at Eliana.

“Go. Have fun. Though I bet you’ll go hug your daughter tonight first because you guys can’t stand to be far away from her either.”

The couple looked at each other and grinned. “Sorry,” Malik said, sliding out of the booth, holding out a hand for his mate.

“No need to be sorry. You guys need time for each other, too.” He paused. “Thank you for coming out with me. And forcing me to be here.”

“Always. You’re family, Jonah. You always have been. And you’re going to be until the end of our days.”

“Let’s hope the end of our days is a very long time off,” Eliana added, and they all looked at each other and smiled softly. Each of them had almost died multiple times, and Eliana had actually died once.

They didn’t want to deal with any of that again.

Malik reached for his wallet, but Jonah shook his head. “I’ve got this one.”

“We’re the ones who asked you to come.”

“Then I’ll take this one. Next time, you can pay.”

“That means there’s going to be a next time,” Eliana added.

Jonah shrugged. “Maybe. But go.”

The two nodded and then went off with each other, fingers entangled as they leaned into one another.

“Oh, I was going to see if you guys needed another round, but I guess…your check?” a soft voice asked from the side. Jonah swallowed hard, doing his best not to react. His hair stood on end, and all he wanted to do was lean forward and sniff her. His jaguar prowled, and he pulled it back. He would not shift. Wouldn’t lay claim to her.

But as he inhaled her sweet scent, he knew exactly what she was. Knew exactlywhoshe was.

She was a Medusa, a gorgon as some called them. One under full glamour since her hair looked normal. She didn’t have snakes showing—her pets, her prodigies, her death. No, she had gorgeous curls and a silky voice.

But she wasn’t just a Medusa. No, she washis. His mate, his other half.

After centuries, he had finally found her.

And from the way she froze as he looked at her, those silver eyes going wide, she knew as well.

But he didn’t want to mate. Had seen firsthand what happened when you cared too much for someone, and then you lost them. He didn’t want that.

But he didn’t even have a chance to say that, to even fully feel that or convince himself it was the case.

Instead, Poppy just smiled wide and set down the check. “Well, got to go. Have a good night.” She scrambled away, leaving Jonah lost, wondering what the hell had just happened.

Jonah frowned at his empty beer glass and at the check on the table and wondered why she hadn’t even let him answer—or order another drink. Instead, she’d had the tab ready, and then had run.

Run from him.

He shook his head, put some cash on the table, a nice tip for Dante and her to share, and slid out of the booth. He would go home, check on Penelope, and then spend the rest of his evening off alone in his home, wondering what he was going to do next. Because he loved his work, adored his job, but he was tired. So tired. And he knew he couldn’t come back here, couldn’t come and see Poppy again.

If he did, he wouldn’t be able to hold back. Wouldn’t be able to do the right thing and say “no.”

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