Page 19 of Peacock Me Like a Hurricane

That’s how most people react.

He blinks. “All five of you are calling a goddess into you. It will call a random git the Goddess thinks is her God. This included two people who are multiply mated to the same gits. Did you lose your sanity on the way to that meeting?”

I frown. “Well, I don’t expect it toworkexcept for me. They’re not really magickal, you know?”

Shaking his head, he snorts. “Holy hell, that could be a mess. Between the infighting over Wilde, your mate, and everyone else? Someone’s going to be mightily pissed. What about those without clones? Will it work with their droid mates?”

His question is fair, and I don’t have an answer. I didn’t think this one through once all the people got involved. When everyone started talking about how the Goddess picks, I was hoping it would work itself out. “Perhaps I didn’t think this one through very well, so I’m hoping it works out?”

He gives me an amused look. “Since everything with those bints has worked out on its own. Christ, woman, you may have set up the world’s most magickal cat fight.”

I huff. “Regardless, I’m not making you a promise I can’t keep.”

“I don’t know if you’d want me in the mix. Word is that I’m hell to deal with. Do you think it’s hard to deal with me?”

“No— except when you’re being an ass.”

“Bloody buggering hell, I walkedrightinto that one! Christ, you’d think I was a two-day-old.”

“That’s why you’re fun. You always set yourself up so well.” I smirk and bob my brows.

Pinching my rear hard, he snarls, “You will pay for yanking my manly and powerful chain.”

“Oh, goody!” I clap, playing along. I’m happy to have the conversation move along from my horrifically poor judgment in ritual partners, life partners, and well, my bad ideas in general.

“Never forget, love. You’ve got me wrapped, but I really am evil.”

“Of course not. Big Bad. Evil. Got it.”

He murmurs low, looking serious. “I can be cruel, love. Not to you, but I can.”

I can’t argue with that because I’m sure he can. I’m also certain that what I consider cruel and unusual is not something he’d do to just anyone—especially not to someone he loved. “You’re not the only one—trust me. If it’s not to me, you have a head start on a lot of people.”

“I do?”

He looks surprised and boy, would he be if he knew the extent of that truth. “Yeah.”

“I don’t know why, but I’d turn myself inside out not to hurt you. Okay, I know why, but go with it; it’s an image. You know that, right?”

My smile is tinged with sadness as I nod. I can feel the honest belief in his statement, and I’ve heard it before. I can only hope that time proves me right this time. “I do.”

“That said, if you get shit for being with me from anyone, I want you to push it off on me. I don’t want you touched by it. That’s not open for discussion, so don’t argue.”

“I’m not arguing. I was going to say that people can get bent if they don’t like it. I don’t really give a damn what they think.” In another twist, I realize that I really mean that. With Rhea gone and Sari colluding with every nut in the community behind my back, I’m not concerned what they need. I’m ready to face the music with them because it’s time. “I love you. You make me happy and if they can’t deal with it, it’s their own problem.”

“Stop that. Saying you love me makes me all calm and soothed, minx.”

“I wasn’t doing it on purpose.”

“You were a shade more subtle than a purr, kitty.”

“Aww. I was just saying how much I adore you.” I bat my lashes at him, giving him my most adoring smile.

His expression melts and he grumbles, “Bloody hell. I’m going to go before I’m a total poof. I. Love. You.” He kisses my nose.

“I love you, too. Be safe.”

“We’ll see.” He grins as he rolls to his feet and heads out.

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