Page 23 of Dark Obsession
What am I meant to do about this? He can’t just go around hurting anyone who upsets me. Soon, no one will come to my bakery. They’ll be too scared of Salem and his rare brand of crazy.
I decide to leave it for now and figure out the best way to deal with him later. After the lunch rush, I glance up when the doors open.
As soon as the two shifters step inside, I know who they are. Salem’s brothers. He told me all about them and how close they are. Between the two of them, the power in the room is almost suffocating. The three of them together must be a sight to witness.
They both have long hair, unlike Salem, but their facial features are similar. They don’t have any scars that I can see.
“Peach,” the one with the black hair in a thick, long braid says, a smirk curving his lips.
I point to him and guess. “Sage?”
He nods, and then I look to the silver-haired brother. “And Silver.”
“He’s told you about us, then. That’s good to know,” Silver murmurs, giving me a slow once-over. “How did that bastard end up with you as a mate?”
Sage mutters something about Salem being a lucky bastard. “We just wanted to welcome you to the family. You’ll be seeing a lot of us.”
“Unlucky for you.” Silver grins, glancing around the shop. “Now Salem’s thoughts have been either about you or food. He made us fucking hungry. What do you suggest?”
I give them two mixed trays so they can try one of everything. “You can’t hear all his personal thoughts, right?”
Sage shakes his head. “No, and we’re all good and block each other out, but now and again something will go down the mind link. We’re used to it. We don’t hide much from each other.”
Do they know when Salem and I are in bed together?
Oh fates, what if they get live snapshots of it in their minds?
Silver laughs under his breath, as if he knows exactly where my mind went. “We’d better get going, but we will see you soon.” He pauses and adds, “If Salem gets too much or you can’t… calm him down, you come to us. We’ll help you.”
I nod and watch them leave, my brow furrowing.
Salem has been acting a little unhinged, but it’s all been done sneakily. I’ve never felt unsafe with him or feel like I have to calm down his aggressiveness, but it’s early days.
Maybe he’s hiding that side from me?
They know him better than anyone.
However, my gut tells me I’ve never been safer than I am right now.
Chapter 11
Salem
It should’ve been obvious Anita would tell Peach what happened, but I was low key hoping she wasn’t a snitch. However killing her too wasn’t exactly an option. That would have upset my mate. It also would have upset her to see what I did to the shifter who made her cry. I ripped out his heart and stomped on it. Literally. But what she doesn’t know won’t hurt her.
“What did you do to him, Salem?” she asks, her arms folded, tapping her foot with impatience.
“I just told him the next time he screams at my mate, he’s going to have to deal with me,” I lie, not wanting his death on her conscience. I wouldn’t know because I don’t have one, but Peach is too sweet and empathetic for her own good. I’m going to protect that, shield it as much as I can.
“And how did you get blood on yourself then?” she presses, frowning.
That damn blood. “I punched him. He needed to be taught a lesson, and now he knows better.”
She puffs out a sigh that blows her hair off her face. “No more, Salem. Soon, I won’t have any customers left.”
Did I just get away with murder? Yeah, I think I did. Little does she know the body count over her is at three, plus one customer getting his ass kicked. He got lucky.
“We’ll find you nicer ones. I’m….” I trail off, frowning. I’ve never apologised to anyone other than Peach, so I’m a little rusty. “I’m sorry I’ve worried you. I just can’t handle anyone disrespecting you.” I pause, deciding to go with some honestly. “And I’m sorry in advance for if it happens again, because no one gets to treat you that way.”
