Page 21 of Forever Midnight

“My parents aren’t bad people,” I whisper, sipping from the fresh mug of coffee Midnight poured for me.

“I’m sure they’re not,” he answers flatly.

“When I was a teenager, my mom came into my room and started saying all this weird shit about being different and how it’s okay. I figured she must have sensed it.” I bite my bottom lip as the memory of her words plays back in my head. “I was right on the verge of telling her, but then she said that discretion was important. We always had to be aware of who was watching us, waiting to pounce on a powerful family. I knew what she meant.”

Midnight’s dark gaze sends shivers down my spine. “I’m sorry, Tru. It’s a burden to hide one’s true nature from the world.”

Nodding, I hold the mug close to inhale the aroma. “I figure once this shit with Lucia is done, maybe I can focus on my own life a little. I’m tired of being a trophy.” I scoff. “Fuck, I’m such a privileged dick. My parents are good. I have everything I could want except for the one thing your parents can’t give you.”

“And that is?”

“Romantic love. Duh. Want me to blow your mind, Midnight? I’m thirty. I live at home, have no career but a shit ton of degrees, and I’ve never been in love. Sweet, right? I could go buy a Lamborghini right now if I wanted to, but I don’t want that. I just want someone who wants me more than my family’s name or my dad’s money.”

“Money isn’t everything.”

“No.” I drag my hand down my face. “Anyway. I’d love your help with Lucia, but I have to see it through. If we can’t do it together, I’ll do it alone.”

If the color black was an emotion, Midnight would be the embodiment of it right now. I’m guessing that’s where the nickname comes from.

“You win,” he concedes. “We’ll do it together, but I have to talk to Yves first.”

Fighting back a grin, I nod. “Sounds good.”

* * *

After my clothes are returned, freshly laundered, I dress and follow Midnight out of his apartment into the main area he calls the common. Several men sit around it. The one I saw him with last night sits perched on a window seat with a notepad in his hand. He glances up and smiles before looking down again. Another man with darker hair is tucked into an oversized armchair and appears to be sketching.

I recognize them all, of course. His brothers. My saviors.

Midnight puts his hands on both my shoulders from behind and clears his throat to get everyone’s attention.

“Proper introduction time,” he says. “Everyone, this is Tru. Tru, my family. Raphael.” The man in the armchair nods his head. “You met Eros last night.” He waves. “This is Syn and his…lover, Bowie.”

The pause is interesting.

“Yves is in his study, I’m sure,” Midnight explains.

A man with long, wild hair pulls himself up from the couch, a maniacal grin on his face. “Don’t I get an introduction?”

Midnight chuckles. “Didn’t see you. This is Thorn.”

Thorn leans over the back of the couch, his eyes taking me in before he whistles. “Where oh where has New Onyx been hiding all these pretty boys?”

“Thorn,” Midnight warns, his tone suddenly dark.

Thorn only laughs in response. “Calm down, tiger. I’m only looking. First Syn finds Bowie, then you snatch up Tru. I want a pretty boyfriend.”

I wait for Midnight to correct his assumption, but he only grips my wrist, pulling me closer to him. “Perhaps if you spent your time looking for love instead of your next indulgence, you would find one.”

Thorn grabs his chest, pretending to be wounded, but then he laughs. “Your barbs cause no harm. Obviously, the perfect man for me is into indulgence.”

“He makes a valid point,” Eros says. “How are you feeling, Tru?”

“A lot better, thanks. Whatever that gross stuff I drank last night was, it works.”

Bowie laughs. “It sure does.”

With all the men staring at me, I find myself leaning into Midnight.

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