Page 22 of Nest Of Lies

“I wasn’t jealous,” I protest hotly.

“Totally were, babydoll.”

I snarl. He blows me a kiss.

Zaden slides me down his body and my mind goes black as I feel every hard inch of him.

“This is why you’re not supposed to be here.”

I stare up at him. The top of my head sits just under his chin, and I wonder if I’d slot perfectly into the space beside him.

“Lia, are you listening to me?” Zaden snaps.

“No,” I admit softly and squeeze my bear to my chest.

He throws his head back and makes a sound of pure frustration. I love the tendons in his neck, and the frustration he gets when he’s around me. The passion he has for everything is so beautiful. He is a beautiful man.

I snuggle the bear to hide my fiery face and step back, straight into Ranger. I gasp at the feel of him against me, but he wraps his arms around me and presses his lips to my ear.

“You look fucking edible tonight, Lia.”

I shiver and smile, all shy like.

“Ranger,” Zaden groans in exasperation. “Let her the fuck go and take her. No, Ianto, take her home.”

I pout. “I’m bored, though.”

I’m bored and lonely, and there is no one there to talk to, and please, don’t send me back there.

I don’t say these words out loud. But my enthusiasm fades, and disappointment fills me.

“Can’t I just stay for a little while?” I hate that it sounds like I’m whining.

Zaden captures my face, tilting my head back so I’m looking up at him. “No, baby. Absolutely not. You go home where it’s safe.”

I can’t help the tears that fill my eyes, and his groan as one huge, fat tear slides down my cheek makes me feel worse. He leans in and flicks the tear away with his tongue.

Great, now he’s stealing my tears.

“You cannot be here. We are not good for you.”

I sniffle.

“Do you understand me? Go on those dates.”

“Wait! What?” Ranger snarls. “You didn’t say anything about dates, Zaden!”

“Meet a special boy, someone who makes you feel like a queen.”

I close my eyes as if by doing that, I’ll block out him and his horrible words.

I whirl around and stomp out into the night.

Ianto follows me from a distance, but he’s an alpha of few words, and at the moment, he’s got none for me.

I reach my window and stop, crouching down and rocking while I try really hard not to cry.

“Lia,” Mills says.

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