Page 51 of The Aether

They shared a grin.

“I’m going to leave Josie in your questionably capable hands.” Damian crossed to Trevor and offered help up. “Try not to seduce her, Alex. She’s still recovering from surgery.”

“I’m not an animal.”

“Debatable.”

Castor’s hearty laugh rang out, causing Damian to smile. It was impossible not to like the man, which was probably why they were as close as brothers.

“How’s my daughter?”

“Happily talking Ronan’s ear off. That man has the patience of a fucking saint.”

“Careful. That’s my child you’re insulting.” But Damian wasn’t offended. Beastie could chat a person into a coma.

“Go save my nephew,” Castor said good-naturedly. “Also, you might want to deposit a few mil in his bank account for going above and beyond in his babysitting duty.”

Damian stopped short of leaving and looked over his shoulder. Frowning, he asked, “Is he hurting for funds?”

“Not really. I just know you’re a fucking billionaire who can spare the change.”

With a wry shake of his head, Damian escorted the Death Dealer out the door. But not before he heard Castor take up the flirting mantle.

“I don’t know why Damian is being a tight ass about our new relationship,” Alex told Josie. “It isn’t like I didn’t have my hand all up in you less than a half hour ago.”

She choked out a laugh.

With a chuckle of his own, Damian left them.

* * *

“How is she?” Vivian asked her husband as soon as he appeared downstairs.

“Good.” He cupped her cheek and brushed a thumb across her lips. Leaning down, he bussed a light, lingering kiss across her mouth. “Better than good, Viv. She’s alive and, unless I miss my guess, flirting with Alex.”

“There are worse men to flirt with, I suppose,” she replied, wrapping her arms around Damian’s waist. “Thank you, darling.”

“You’re welcome.” His tone was warm, his voice husky. “I have to go see Ronan and Beastie to figure out the next step with Morcant. Hopefully, she can tell me how to send that bastard to hell once and for all.”

“It won’t be soon, unless the future drastically altered today.” Vivian sighed as she released Damian. “Remember what she told us the day Nate was born? The hellhounds would protect them.”

“Christ! You’re right. Although, technically, they did protect us today.”

“True.”

He scrubbed a hand up and down his face, and it occurred to her that he looked more human at that moment than she’d remembered seeing him in recent days. The strain of the situation was reflected in the tightness around his eyes and mouth. Still, he was gorgeous, and she had the urge to sigh like a girl with her first crush.

His eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled. “Gorgeous, huh?”

“Oh! I forgot our new connection.”

Turning serious, he stroked her jaw. “Does it bother you, Viv? I can see what I can do to sever it if it does.”

Searching her feelings on the matter, she decided it didn’t.

“Maybe it was given to us for a reason. Should we ask the Goddess?”

“I don’t see the point. If Isis had anything to impart, she’d be here.” As if he couldn’t help himself, he kissed her again. “I need to go.”

---