Page 34 of Twisted Gift
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“Oh my god!” I slam the door shut as I jump back into the hall and will the vivid picture of what I just witnessed out of my brain.
Moments later, Max and Oliver join me in the hallway. Oliver is tugging on his shirt while Max is taking his time zipping up his pants—still without a shirt.
“Guess you missed the sock on the—” Max stops talking as his eyes pause at the door. “Whoops.”
I’m grinding my teeth to keep from yelling at him.
“We should go,” Oliver pipes up.
I force a tight-lipped smile. “I think it’s best you do. And don’t dothat, here,again. Please.”
Oliver nods. “Sorry, Aurora.”
Max pulls on his navy dress shirt, leaving it unbuttoned. “Sorry, blondie.” His voice is more amused than apologetic, and considering it’s paired with a smirk, it doesn’t quite sound genuine.
After they leave, I lock the door on my way out. I’m not in the mood to work in the office now. I shoot Nikolai a text telling him he might want to give the desk a wipe down before he does any paperwork tomorrow. My phone rings a few minutes later, and I answer it on my way to the apartment.
“What happened?” He asks, sounding like an adult speaking to a child. “Did you kill someone?”
I scowl. “Of course not. I walked into the office and found Max and Oliver...” I trail off, unable to say the words. What I witnessed—well, I’m happy my friends’ sex lives are thriving, but I don’t need such a stark reminder. It’s just cruel.
Nikolai bursts out laughing. “Did you get to see anything good?”
I almost hang up. “Can you be an adult for two seconds?”
The laughter quiets. “Relax,Mom.” His tone is light, and even without seeing his face, I can tell it’s paired with that charming grin of his.
“Anyway,” I say in a pointed tone. “We’re having a meeting this Wednesday night.”
“Who is we?” he asks, his voice lower, less easygoing.
“The fae,” I answer. “Both sides. It’s time we bring everyone together and get the hell over this war.”
“All right then, boss. I’ll be there.”
“Don’t call me that,” I mutter.
There’s a span of silence that makes me wonder whether he even heard me, but then he speaks again. “How are you doing?”
“What do you mean?” Answering a question with another question seems to be the way around not being able to answer the initial one honestly.
“I mean, it’s been a while since your first feed. I have a feeling you haven’t fed since I took you to the unit, so I’m asking if you need to go again.”
“I’d rather not,” I mutter.
“I know you’re still upset about what happened, but you need to give it another shot, gorgeous. It’s how you’ll learn.”
I swallow hard. “I’m not ready yet,” I all but whisper, hoping he won’t push it tonight.
“I have an idea. One that practically ensures you won’t hurt anyone.”
“Else,” I clarify in a bitter tone.
“She was fine. I made sure she was conscious before I left. You took a little too much, and she blacked out. It happens.”
“What’s your idea, Nikolai?” There’s an edge to my voice.
