Page 61 of Gambling with Time

“Putting a bandaid on the issue won’t fix it,” I said.

“No, but we would all feel good, and I think after almost dying that would be a great thing.”

“We should talk about this. Alastor is right,” Samantha said. “Lex, you aren’t useless. You’ve saved me more times than I can count with your shadow creatures. Just because they slip off your body to help doesn’t mean they aren’t still an extension of yourself. It is just as valid as magic or physical strength.”

He pressed his lips together but didn’t reply. I could see the doubt shining in his eyes, and I knew what he felt because I had been in his shoes for the majority of my life. Before my ability to control souls had emerged, I’d had Cerberus to fight my battles for me.

“Standing back gives you a clear view of the fight. It is a different kind of strength. You can use it to the benefit of all of us. In the same way, we both used to, together. I’ll be right there next to you still.”

“Yeah, with your souls,” he muttered.

“Something else is eating at you, what is it?” I crossed my arms and leaned next to the fireplace, my attention locked on him.

“It’s nothing. I need to check on the club,” he said. With a soft gentleness, he set Samatha next to him and stood up. Then he headed for the elevator. Rai and I shared a look, and he got up, blocking the way. Bellamy strolled over seemingly without a care and stood next to Rai.

“The club can wait,” Raiden said. “If we don’t talk this out now, it will be brushed under the rug, and then it will rear its ugly head at the worst time.”

Lex raked his fingers through his hair, his face flushed red, thanks to his ginger coloring. He glanced around at all of us. His Adam's apple bobbed in a hard swallow, and then his gaze dipped to the floor and stayed there.

“Where do I fit in all of this? After the battle is won? I have my club. Raiden has a kingdom of dragons, Bellamy a horde of demons, and Alastor will rule the fucking Underworld. And Sam,” he said, his voice dropping off, a small sad smile tugged at his lips. “Sam will help you rule it all. But me—I don’t belong in that equation.”

“You belong with us,” Bellamy said as Samantha crossed the room to him.

“Lex, we need heart. Someone to tell us if we are going overboard. You will keep us in line just like you keep the supernaturals in line at the club,” Samantha said.

He lifted his gaze to her, his lashes were damp, but tears hadn’t fallen. “Alastor has heart,” he said, tossing me a look over his shoulder.

“I have a heart for the people I care about,” I agreed. “But you all know, I’m more like my father than I had previously thought, and he too has a heart for those he cares about, however those he doesn’t care for–”

“Lex, you are the only one out of the five of us that cares as strongly about everyone you meet,” Samantha said.

“Rai is a firefighter,” he said.

Rai laughed. “Yes, so that I could help save people with my ability and keep my best friend safe as he tried to become a hero. Not because I was like you.”

“Sam–” he started, and she pressed a finger to his lips to quiet him.

“You don’t have to say things that aren’t true. I love all of you and my family, but I would sacrifice the whole world for you four. That makes me dangerous and heartless.”

“Bell–” He met the demon's intense gaze, and Bellamy lifted an eyebrow.

“I also only care about the four of you. The rest of the world can burn.” He shrugged unapologetically. “Now that it is settled that you care the most, congratulations, you win that medal, can we ease some tension?”

“You really only think about sex, don’t you?” Raiden asked.

“Is there really anything else to think about?” He gave Raiden a droll stare before he dropped his gaze down his tall form. “Maybe if you had a taste of me, you’d feel the same.”

“Bellamy, don’t tease the dragon,” Samantha said.

“Who said I was joking?” He moved away from the elevator doors, snagging Lex’s hand on his way past; he pulled him back to the couch.

Bellamy tugged Lex down to the couch and had him lay his head in his lap. The care he showed him told us all that he thought about more than just sex. It might be in the top three things he routinely thought of, but right now, it was comforting someone he loved. He ran his fingers through Lex’s hair and over the sides of his beard.

When Samantha approached, he shifted slightly and tugged her down next to him, his tail firmly around her ankle. I shared another look with Raiden, and he shrugged before moving back to his chair. He watched the three of them. There was a connection between them that was clear for anyone to see, but when Bellamy glanced up at us, I knew there was room for all of us.

CHAPTER 35

Samantha

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