Page 66 of Vengeful Mates

To my outfit, I added nearly a ridiculous amount of perfume to mask my transforming scent, something I wouldn’t be able to hide from them forever.

“Marc Jacobs,” Castor answered for me when I got lost in my thoughts.

Slade grunted. Another gift from Daddy. I had to stop a war from breaking out between those two.

Slade surprised me with, “You better make good on that stripping promise.”

I laughed. “I said you all looked strippable.”

“Not how I heard it.” His hand sailed down to my ass and squeezed. “No fucking panties?” He bit his knuckle, making me giggle. “Fuck, Nurse A. How do you expect me to behave myself when your pussy is bare to me?”

Goddamn it. Did he have to say that? My inner thighs crashed together to mask my evolving scent. Bad choice, really. The dress didn’t give me a choice. Daddy bought it for me, and not wearing it would raise suspicions.

Hiding my apprehension, I snorted and hit him in the arm. “They made lines under the dress, and I couldn’t wear them.”

“You’re sitting next to me.All. Night.” His gaze coasted down my body in appreciation of the designer gown he picked out for me. Salmon-color satin punctuated every curve. I didn’t really pay attention to the brand name. Didn’t care either, when I was a denim and leather kind of woman now.

I laughed nervously, knowing what exclusively sitting next to Slade meant. Him sliding his hand under the table and relieving the ache between my legs. Funny business at Hades’ table would offend his modest sensibilities. The aim of tonight’s dinner was to build alliances to fight Colton, and I wasn’t jeopardizing that.

“Good choice, asshole,” Slade complimented his VP with a hint of annoyance that he lost out on choosing the dress for this evening. Too many things on his plate.

I eye rolled. Those two and their never-ending competition.

I patted Slade’s chest to let him down gently about any handsy action beneath the table. “Since we’re talking war with Colton, we should behave at our host’s palace. We want to make allies, not more enemies.”

Slade groaned and released me like I was a soggy pancake. “That asshole’s as fun as a chafed ass crack.”

I snorted at Slade’s crude reference.

“An asshole that will help us eliminate an enemy,” Zethan reminded, tugging at his sleeves, irritated by the constriction of his jacket. He went for the too tight look some guys did to show off their bodies.

We needed the other avatars’ support to find and wipe out Colton Raine. Otherwise, the hunt for him could stretch out for months. We didn’t have that long. No more ambushes. No more trouble for the club. Definitely not any more danger to my child and family.

Slade gritted what I interpreted as his surrender to be on his best behavior.

“My turn.” Daddy dragged me away, twirling me on the spot, letting him and my other men appreciate the swirl of my skirt and the peek of my legs beneath the silky fabric.

Alaric let out a shrieking whistle.

Zethan’s bond heated up, while Castor’s darkened with possessiveness.

“It’s a beautiful dress, Daddy.” I settled the back of my forearms against his chest and palms flat on his shoulders.

“You’ll give the Lady of the Underworld a run for her money,” he whispered, hot and dark in my ear.

“I doubt it,” I muttered. “Autumn’s always dressed like a goddess.” Hard to compete with that. And the fact a sleeping goddess resided in her.

Castor rewarded my ass with a spank. “You’re every bit the goddess.”

I melted into his compliment and his delectable cinnamon and spice aftershave.

“Hurry up.” Zethan clapped at us, rounding us up like we were kids. “Hades is a grumpy bastard, and I don’t want him complaining that we’re late.”

He tore open a portal to Hades’ Underworld.

Damn. No cuddles before dinner.

“Yes, grandpa.” For that reply, I nudged Slade with my elbow, not wanting more animosity when they seemed to have made peace with each other.

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