Page 40 of Chaos Claimed

His tone was earnest now, stripped of its earlier playfulness, and the sincerity in his eyes as clear as day.

Santiago was at Percy’s side in seconds, enveloping his mate in his arms. “Cabra morada, cariño.” Purple goat, sweetheart.

“Cabra morada,” Percy echoed, his voice trembling.

Looking back, Santiago noticed Diablo gazing at Percy with remorse. “Go get those damn pens for him.”

Diablo’s eyes met his. “Every last one.”

It seemed like he had more to say but instead turned and walked toward the stairwell.

“You good?” He brushed his fingers through his mate’s hair.

“Getting there.” Percy nestled closer. “Just a flashback.”

“I know.” Santiago placed a kiss on his temple. “Tito’s gone. Diablo may have his issues, but he comes from good people.”

That was irrelevant to Percy. Tito had been part of their pack and seemed trustworthy, but he had a dark secret that nearly cost Percy his life. Tito had broken that trust, and Santiago despised him for the harm he’d caused.

Not only for hurting Percy but for also damaging the bonds of their brotherhood.

* * * *

Diablo placed the entire box of glitter pens on the counter, glancing around for whatever else he could buy to cheer up Percy. The human was an insane amount of quirky, but he was also family.

“You didn’t need to bring the whole box up here,” the cashier remarked, biting his lip while looking Diablo over. “Each pen has its own barcode.” He blushed and placed his hands on the counter. “No worries. I’ll put the others back for you.”

“That’s really kind of you,” Diablo replied with a raised eyebrow and a smile. “Does that offer come with a name, good-looking?”

His grin faded a bit when the cashier’s cheeks turned a deep red. Diablo had never seen anyone blush so fiercely. He thought about getting the guy a bottle of water.

“Brett,” the male said, but for some unknown reason, he gestured toward Diablo when he’d said it.

Were humans always this peculiar?

He took Brett’s hand in his, kissing the back of it. “I am Diablo.”

“The devil,” Brett breathed and swallowed. “Did you need anything else, Diablo?”

Diablo leaned in, positioning his hands just an inch away from Brett’s, towering over him. “Your phone number, hermoso.”

Brett seemed on the verge of fainting. He just bet that if he were to touch Brett’s skin, it would be burning with heat.

“What does hermoso mean?” Brett asked.

“Déjame entrar en tu cama y te enseñaré muchas palabras sucias, cariño.” Let me into your bed, and I’ll teach you many dirty words, sweetheart.

Brett simply blinked, as if his brain had momentarily stalled. “I-I don’t understand.”

Diablo chuckled and gave the redhead a wink. “I actually need every one of these pens, cariño.”

“All of them?” The man’s eyes widened in surprise. “There are like thirty in the box!” he exclaimed.

Oh, Diablo could have so much fun with the little pelirrojo. Redhead. He was eager to see if that fiery blush spread across his whole body. “Sí.”

“That means yes!” Brett pressed his lips together as his blush intensified. Diablo was waiting for him to spontaneously combust.

He grinned. “Muy bueno, rojo. Yes, I need all of them.”

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