Page 47 of Blood Magic (Ariel Kimber 3)

Ariel wasn’t going anywhere. For one thing, Quint was in so deep with the poor girl that if she tried to leave him then he’d find a way to drag her right back to him.

But that didn’t tell me anything about what would happen to my heart if it happened.

I slipped my cell out of the front pocket of my jeans and laid back down on the couch.

I closed my eyes and sighed. I was exhausted and hadn’t been getting enough sleep lately. This past week had been hell for all of us. What I needed was to go home and sleep in my own bed, but I wasn’t leaving here. Someone would be staying over until Dash was fully recovered and capable of defending himself and Ariel.

Hell, I wouldn’t be surprised if someone slept over every night after simply because Ariel would be here and they could. I wouldn’t blame them. But I really did want to sleep in my own bed.

I lifted my phone up and lightly tapped the screen with my finger tip. It lit up and I moved to my texts knowing there would be several new ones. If nothing else, the twins would still be bickering with each other.

I scrolled to the top, then scrolled down past what I’d already read and started reading the texts.

Tyson: Why’s she sleeping on the couch?

Quinton: She’s beautiful. Her cheek looks a lot better. Good work, Julian. I’m happy she’s sleeping, she needs it.

Tyson: Is Dash out? He should be sleeping, too. In his own damn bed.

Quinton: Nah. Calm down, Nephew. She should sleep with Dash. Julian can take her bed.

I laughed quietly.

Quint wanted to be first for everything and better at it than anyone else. It was weird that there was no jealousy at all there when it came to Ariel. Just when I thought I had Quint all figured out, he went and surprised the shit out of me.

Damien: Do you think Dash will order one of those robes for me? I need one.

Tyson: You do not need a matching robe. You have enough clothes to last you three lifetimes. And don’t you have like four robes already? Shit, Damien. Get over yourself already.

I frowned. Tyson was being an asshole to Damien because of me and what had happened earlier between us.

Addison: We need matching robes.

Abel: But in black and white.

Quinton: Salt and Pepper.

Addison: Say what?

Quinton: Ariel calls you two her Salt and Pepper twins.

Abel: Awwwww. She’s adorable.

Addison: We just call her girlfriend!

Abel: Now we need to come up with something good for her.

This was going nowhere fast.

I sighed and started typing out a text.

Julian: I just finished tucking Ariel into her bed. I wanted her to sleep under her dreamcatcher. Dash took his meds and has been out cold ever since. Dash ate dinner, but Ariel slept through it. I didn’t want to push the issue and I let her sleep.

Quinton: Thanks, Julian.

Tyson: Thanks, man. For taking care of the both of them.

That irritated me.

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