Page 131 of The Villain

“You go back to bed. Why is everyone so cranky?”

“It’s two in the morning, angel,” Asher says silkily.

“Fine. Coffee thermos and bed,” she pouts. I can hear it. “I’m sorry, Mr. Matthias.”

Matthias clears his throat and says in a loud voice, “I’ll just take this call outside, dear. Thank you for the welcome and I apologize for coming over unannounced.”

I hear Tera assure him he’s welcome in her home any time and scoff. I can’t help it. I’m already picturing her rolling out a red carpet for him.

“Where are you?” His tone takes a sudden turn as he speaks to me.

“Le Chique, thirty minutes. If you go near Tera again, I’ll kill you. Once Mom meets her she’ll forgive me and you know it.”

I hang up and quietly grab a few weapons and some clothes. I need to be ready for this and anticipate it going bad. This ridiculous ploy for obedience and any threats he throws out need to be dealt with immediately. I expected a visit from one of the four assholes, not him personally with his son in tow.

I stand over Evie as she sleeps, watching her relaxed face. I want to wake her. Hold her for a second to make sure she’ll be here when I get back.

I will come back. I’m not letting this night end any other way.

“I love you,” I whisper and force myself to leave.

25. One for the Money

Gabriel Matthias

Tera Evans hands Dad a coffee thermos and passes a few mugs around.

This is not what I expected from Dad’s normal heavy handed shock tactics. She was so excited to meet him she hugged him despite the hour, how many men we have with us, and our unforgiving expressions.

Cade is right, there’s no way she’s real.

I take my mug with a bewildered frown as two of my guards, Jake and Cade, try not to laugh at my awkwardness. Mikael thanks her in his gruff voice and she gives him a sweet smile in return. Completely unaware that he rarely talks to anyone. Ace gives her a wide smile but doesn’t say anything, nodding his thanks instead.

My guards are putty in her innocent hands.

Dad glances at us, completely at a loss. We’re all in the boat with him so I raise an eyebrow without saying anything.

Tera’s hand goes over her stomach protectively as she returns her attention to him.

“Mr. Matthias? Can I say something?”

“Of course,” he blusters. I think he’s trying to cover the fact that he likes her sweet unfiltered affection. He certainly never gets it from any of his own children.

“Please don’t hurt my big brother.”

I’m still stunned every time I hear Daniels referred to as a brother. To anyone, much less me. The man is viciousness personified and she’s worried about him.

Dad’s insistence on introducing him at the wedding was not a good plan. I walked Daniels’ mother down the aisle when he didn’t show. He could have skinned me alive for it.

But Tera’s earnest request catches my attention sharply. The sincerity and anguish in her tone is the most real sound I’ve heard in a long time. She isn’t faking her kindness. I’ve never met a woman like this before. Painfully honest and affectionate.

How did Daniels manage to become friends with her? It’s like throwing gasoline on a kitten. It makes no sense.

Her eyes skip over to me and widen. “I mean, he’s my brother in spirit only. You’re practically voted in by existing at this point so welcome to the family everybody!”

I can’t work up a reply. My guards seem amused but for some reason her earnest welcome has me more curious than pissed at her assumptions.

“I’m only saying that because I wanted to warn you,” Tera continues as her eyes drift back to my father in concern.

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