Page 14 of Hooked on a Demon
Lachlan sips his beer and looks Declan over. “You appear to be in good health. You don’t need money. But why do I get the feeling that you have come here for a reason today and not because you want to see my sexy ass?”
Sometimes, he hates how well Lachlan can read him. Yes, his older brother helped raise him, especially after their father died and their mother wasn’t able to care for them appropriately. Lachlan stepped up and did what he could while trying to bring the underworld to some level of balance as he undertook a role he never wanted. He’s done great work since then. After Petra joined the supernatural council, they continue to do wonders, creating all sorts of new programs to help the underworld citizens better themselves and see the possibilities that are out there. That crime and pain are not the only things they have.
“Getting right to it, huh?”
“You interrupted me about to fuck my wife senseless,” Lachlan says, snickering when Declan dramatically cringes, “so yes. I’m getting right to it.”
“Do you really need to say that?”
“Yes.” Lachlan laughs.
“Ugh. You’re the worst.”
“Yet, here you are, still not telling me what’s wrong. I can go back to—” Declan grabs Lachlan’s arm, pulling him back into his chair, interrupting him. “No. Fine.”
“I hate that this is somewhat related to what you’re talking about.” Lachlan raises an eyebrow while Declan continues. “Not like that. I don’t need the birds and the bees talk,” Declan laughs. “Trust me, I know what I’m doing in that camp. But I guess, how did you know it was time to settle down and stop all that fooling around?”
“Do you see my wife?”
Declan snorts. “Valid. But when did you know you wanted more than just the lay? The conquest?”
Lachlan laughs. “Again, have you seen my wife?”
Declan’s head drops, his eyes staring into the ground as frustration builds and smoke begins to swirl around his feet. “Dude, you know what I mean.”
“Oh, put the demon back in its cage. I’m just playing.” Declan’s smoke vanishes as quickly as it appeared, apparently listening to Lachlan’s command before he could do it himself. “Look, I was never really like you. I didn’t do all the messing around you have.” He raises a hand to stop Declan’s interjection. “Yes, I had some fun, but you know as well as I do that as soon as Petra came into my bar, there was no one else. I tried dating, but there was nothing really there. Before that, any escapades I was involved in were mostly half-hearted. I knew it wasn’t what I wanted in the end, so why go through all that to end up hurt or hurt someone else? Ya know.”
“Yeah. I guess. Like I enjoy it, I really do. But also, I’m getting tired of slinking out of women’s bedrooms.”
“Yeah, I can see that. Maybe it’s time you take a step back and think about what you really want. Think beyond the pussy, if you will.”
“Oh, goddess.” Declan laughs. His brother has never been a philosophical one, but that has to be the worst thing he has ever said.
Lachlan leans over and claps his hand on Declan’s shoulder. “If you’re asking if it’s time to settle down, it probably means you’re ready to do so. Something to think about.” Lachlan stands and begins walking back toward the house.
“Where are you going?” Declan asks.
“I’m going to finish fucking my wife. I’d get out of here if I were you.”
Declan runs into the house behind his brother, puts his empty glass on the counter, and out the front door, hearing Lachlan’s bellowing laugh following him all the way out.
CHAPTER10
Eliana
“I’ve thought about what you asked me to last time,” she says, crossing her legs onto the oversized cushion.
“Oh?”
“I think part of what’s been contributing to my sense of being lost, is that I don’t necessarily feel anchored here anymore. I spent so many years needing to get out and to leave Leeside, and now I’m back here, essentially against my will,” she holds her hand up, stopping the anticipated question, “and while I have family and a friend or two here, I still don’t feel like it’s where I’m meant to be. My days in the city were filled with action. I was constantly busy. I was an active member in the dance company. And I don’t have that here. I need something to sink my teeth into.”
“And how do you propose you find thatsomething to sink your teeth into?”
“I don’t quite know yet, but I think that’s what I need. Some kind of task to feel connected and more purposeful.”
“And what about your family?” Colson asks.
“What about them?”
