Page 3 of Sinful Mates

Appreciation soothed the anger seething under my skin and I clapped him on the shoulder. “You’re a true brother.”

Castor offered me a supportive nod as I opened my office door.

Time to face the fucking music again.

CHAPTER2

Slade

My guts solidified like concrete.I found her in Castor’s office, sitting on the beer-stained sofa, next to Zethan. I didn’t like them so close when the curse caused her pain.

A few feet away, Alaric crouched beside Mia, entertaining her with magick tricks, pulling coins from behind her ears and making her squeal. Distraction from the chaos of trafficked women crammed in the party room.

I leaned in the doorway to admire the interaction. My conversation required privacy we didn’t have.

Mia chewed on her cheek and studied Alaric. “Are you Mom’s boyfriend too?” Tough questions. The kid was full of them.

Aaliyah brushed her hands down her denim jacket. “This is Alaric, honey.”

“Which boyfriend are you?” Mia eyed Alaric like he was a broken sandcastle she had to remake. “Slade said he was the favorite. Handsome and fun.”

Exactly me, though I didn’t feel an ounce of it right now.

Alaric’s bond shrunk back as if he didn’t know how to reply. “Castor is the magick boyfriend. Zethan is serious. I’m pretty fun too, you know.”

“Yeah? We can have a fun competition.”

“I’m up for that. I’ll win, though.” Alaric’s mischievous gaze inclined to me. “Slade can’t handle being beaten, though. He’ll get mad, cry and need a big hug, okay?”

Smartass fucker could scrub the blood off the cells for that.

Pride lit up Mia’s cheeks. “He won’t get mad with my hugs. I’m the best hugger.”

“Yeah?” Alaric leaned back on his haunches.

Mia threw herself at him and he made a surprisedoofnoise.

His arms went around her, unsure and hesitant. “Wow. I see what you mean. Amazing hug. Did you give your mom one?”

Mia released Alaric like he was a dirty toy and launched herself at Aaliyah’s leg.

“What about me?” Castor feigned upset. “Don’t leave me out. I want an amazing hug too.”

“Oops, sorry.” Mia wrapped herself around his leg.

My laugh felt like sand scratching my throat. She would settle in here just fine. Four boyfriends to guard, protect, and care for her.

Down the hall, my men tended to the trafficked woman and Doc Schriever checked them over. I smelled their fear, sweat, and tears. Reminders of the raid on Zethan’s shelter hiked the temperature in my veins.

I shoved it down to focus on what I came out here for. Salvage what tattered remains were left of my mate’s heart. Hell, what remained of mine.

Tired and drawn, Aaliyah stroked Zethan’s intertwined fingers. “Where’s your vest?”

“Gone.” One of Zethan’s classic one-word answers.

“You quit or were stripped of it?” My heart stalled at the turmoil on my mate’s end of the bond.

Shadows chased across his face. “Demotion. The club votes tomorrow.”

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