Page 22 of Midnight Rules
“I’m sorry. A lot has happened. I’ll tell you about it when I get home.”
“The gossip has made it all the way to my door. I thought someone killed you until the news said it was a woman.”Shit. That was bad.
“I’m sorry for worrying you. I found the body. I called Iven, the Fortune Falls Sheriff. He knows I’ve been the one doing the break-ins and I think he might suspect why.” No use beating around the bush. He might as well get it said. “I had a fever spell right after calling him.”
“Did he arrest you?”
“No. Not yet.” Marric took a deep breath to shore up his courage. It didn’t work, so what he said next came out like word vomit. “Iven Palmer, Fortune Falls’s sheriff, is my mate. Andbefore you get started, yes, I know for a fact he is. He knows too. We haven’t talked about it yet, but I have a feeling we’re going to soon. He took care of me while I was sick, which should go a long way, and I think he won’t arrest me. Maybe. I think he’s going to help us, which we desperately need because I’m spinning my wheels here and Emery’s just getting sicker.”
Instead of the explosion Marric thought he’d get, his dad growled, “Come home. Now.”
Marric didn’t even hesitate. “Iven gave me something that helped, Dad. I’ll bring some for Emery.”
“Get home and don’t fucking mate with him before you do.” Okay, Dad went way too far.
“I’m a grown man. Your Majesty. My mating. My timeline. So Fuck. You.” And with that Marric hung up the phone. When his dad called right back, he declined the call and then shut off his phone.
Marric stuck his phone in his pocket and left the room. It didn’t take him long to find the kitchen. As soon as he entered the room, the conversations stopped, and all eyes were on him.
Marric had never wanted to be the center of attention, although he wouldn’t mind being the center of Iven’s world, but that wasn’t nowhere near the same thing.
“Hi. I’m Marric.” He moved closer to Iven, who had been cooking.
Even Iven stopped what he was doing to gawk at Marric.
But Iven recovered quicker than everyone else. He closed the distance and tucked Marric under his arm. “How are you feeling after the shower?”
“A lot better. Thank you.” Marric smiled.
“Dad, are you going to introduce us?”
Marric’s eyes widened when he looked at the man who spoke. There was no mistaking him for Iven’s kid. The resemblance was uncanny.
He hadn’t known Iven had kids. It was a reminder that their conversation from earlier didn’t mean they knew each other.
He leaned in and whispered in Iven’s ear. “I might be the same age as your son.”
Instead of getting offended, which Marric thought he’d do, Iven chuckled. “You’re my oldest son’s age.”
“That’s just great.” Marric gave Iven his best sarcastic smile.
“That would be me.” A dark, curly-haired man held out his hand and waited for Marric to take it. “I’m Griffin.”
Marric shook hands.
“I’m Riley.” Riley just waved.
“I’m sure you remember me. My name is Cass.” Cass nodded. He didn’t smile. In fact, he seemed almost as if he didn’t trust Marric.
Marric just nodded.
He wanted to say something snarky but decided it was best to keep his mouth shut, proving there was a first time for everything.
Iven might not like snark. Marric had already shown enough sass. He had to do everything he could to make Iven like him. If he didn’t, Kinnison would put every willing, mateable female in his path. Illness or no, he couldn’t let his father win the dynasty war.
Down with the dynasty.That’s what his sign would say during the protest. It would happen in front of the house and just as soon as he found a cure. He expected Emery and Regan’s support.
The woman gave him a kind smile. “I’m Zinnie. Mom to these two.”
