Page 42 of Peacock Me Like a Hurricane

The babbling is back.

I shake my head. She absolutely cannot take what they’d dish out, nor would I let her try. “I think I’m wanted in Cozumel. I know I’m wanted in Des Moines.”

I didn’t mention I’d terrorized the other place, not the fine citizens on this side of the Rift, did I?

“Are you going away?” Her voice is a whisper and I see her shrink down again.

“Not to Cozumel or Des Moines. The Company doesn’t let us get into the real-world hands. Will I get recalled to the training facility? I don’t know—that’s why I’m here. Also, the only member of my family currently speaking to me is Theodora—who’s upstairs cleaning the mess I made.”

Her face crumples, but she only nods. She clenches her jaw tightly until her expression fades to the robotic one she’s been sporting. “I’m so sorry.”

The Bird Tries to Understand

TAURUS

“The family thing isn’t your fault; it’s mine. So is the random massacre.”

“I know that, but I hurt you again and that is all my fault. I should tell them for you; Icantell them for you. Let me tell them it’s my fault. They can punish me.”

“You hurt me very badly, but my actions are my responsibility. I’ll take the penalty because I admit, I’d do it again. Unfortunately, the Company frowns on thirty-three unscheduled, random slaughters.” I sigh, knowing that this is going to be an absolute nightmare. Besides which, I’m so sodding spent physically that I can hardly keep myself upright.

“I started it. I made it happen. I did it. I can take that blame.”

“Stop. I wish I’d known, and I wish it didn’t get dumped on me by Wilde and Sari. I accept that you forgot, and that it wasn’t intentional. I don’t understand it, but I accept it as your truth. I don’t forgive myself for not giving you a chance to explain before I went smash and slash. I apologize for that because it was childish and not good treatment of someone I love.”

That part is true. Despite my rage, the feeling that I acted impulsively by not allowing her to explain before I lost it hasirked me all night. It didn’t stop me from tearing everything in my path apart, but it was there.

“I love you; I don’t want you to go. The whole time you were gone, I couldn’t function. I shut down because I was so raw. I don’t blame you at all—not after all the things people have done lately. Especially not since I did something similar when I locked myself in the bathroom. I didn’t destroy anything, but I’m not big with destruction as much as curling inside myself and not coming out. I don’t judge you; I have no room to talk.”

“I judge me,” I say, shaking my head. “I live by simple rules and one is ‘don’t do anything that makes you unable to look at yourself in the mirror afterward’. I hold myself responsible for every action I’ve taken since I stepped into that bathroom, and I’m going to have to deal with that. But I owe you an apology. I should have—at the very least—treated you with the respect due my mate.”

“I accept your apology, even if I don’t think I deserve it.”

She shrinks down again and my brows furrow. “I should tell you that it’s becoming increasingly clear that I’m a jealous sod. Again, this is my problem, and not one you are responsible for.”

“You’re honest about it. I can accept that if you can.”

“I’m sorry I got messy on you.” I look at her, my eyes softening when I remember that she’s had a lot to juggle emotionally. After the story she just told, I wonder how much more there was before I came on the scene.

“It’s my fault.”

“You may have noticed I have a thing with honesty.”

“I want to be honest. If there’s something you want to know, now’s the time to ask.”

“I don’t think I could handle any more dark uglies, pet.”

Her expression is relieved. I tuck that away for later, wondering what she thought she was going to have to share that is worse than this. “I, unfortunately, have no secrets to speakof. That's the problem with being arrogant and shameless, I suppose. Who knew being me had its drawbacks?”

She should have laughed at that. Normally, she would have. Instead, she nods and murmurs, “Every time I’ve claimed someone, it’s been followed by some big nasty thing that mars the experience. Something always rains on my parade. Also, I should mention that bitten people I’m not mated to on my list. Not all, and it’s not a secret, but you might not know.”

“Then to me, it’s a secret. Not a hidden secret, but—okay, maybe an unknown. I don’t count biting the same as mating. Though, I’ve got a thing with no blood play with non-mates, as you know.”

“I know. That’s why I mentioned it. Some were droids, so no blood. I don’t know where that fits into your world.”

“That’s a personal preference. I’ve seen what biting between non-mates can do. I never, ever, bled Blondie.”

“I never touched her.”

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