Page 24 of Reluctant Rebel

Sabre was the only one to say yes. As she walked to Brax, she smiled warmly at Mikhail. “You two really are brothers, huh?”

“Unfortunately,” Mikhail replied. He looked at the others. “Go ahead. Get toast. I can’t get a bigger spread sent here, sorry. The kitchens don’t know I’m alive yet.”

“That’s okay,” Eric said. “I’m not hungry.”

“Me either,” Jinx echoed quietly.

“I only eat organs or flesh,” Gage chimed in. “I don’t suppose you have any of that handy?”

“I can gut Brax for you. I’m sure his liver is tasty,” Mikhail said, sharing a grin with Gage.

“Tempting,” Gage replied, his dark eyes glinting. “But I’m okay.”

“Let me know if you change your mind.” He offered his hand in welcome. “It’s nice to see you again, Gage. You too, Eric,” he said, glancing surreptitiously at Jinx. She looked damn good. Even better than she had in his fantasies.

Eric rocked back on his heels, looking around the room. “Sorry for gate-crashing. Sabre said you wouldn’t mind.”

Mikhail smiled, hoping to put the young vampire at ease. He hadn’t invited Eric yesterday, but he was herenow. Mikhail was nothing if not polite. “Sabre was right. I know you’ve been instrumental in getting us this far. Thank you. I'm looking forward to getting to know you better.”

“You are?” Eric practically squeaked.

Mikhail’s brow furrowed when Eric seemed to pale. “Of course.”

Eric smiled, his body twitching nervously. “Uh, great.”

Assuming Eric was nervous to be around him, he moved his attention to Jinx. Unfortunately, that madeMikhailnervous. “I wasn’t expecting to see you,” were the first words out of his mouth.

Jinx raised a solo brow. “And why is that? This is a family meeting. I’m family.”

“Of course you are. I just …” Mikhail looked around, seeking help and finding none. Brax and Sabre were too busy playing kissy-face, Draven was frowning at his phone, and Eric and Gage were observing them keenly.

“You thought I’d be locked in my room licking my wounds from your rejection,” Jinx supplied dryly. “Sorry to disappoint you, but that really isn’t my vibe.”

Mikhail began to sweat. What was that saying? Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. Had he been naïve to believe they’d parted on good terms? That they had reached a mutual understanding? “I’m not disappointed. I don’t want you to be upset. That’s the last thing I want,” he assured her.

“Great. Because I’m not,” Jinx said.

“Great,” Mikhail echoed.

“Great,” Jinx repeated.

They stood staring at each other, mostly because Mikhail couldn’t force his feet to move. Even though she was serving his ego up on a platter, he wanted to drink in her presence. Everything about her called to him, including her bold, sassy side. Someone cleared their throat loudly, and he pulled his gaze away from Jinx’s, where it had been trapped unknowingly.

How long have I been standing here staring into her eyes like a love-sick fool?he wondered.

“And I thought you two were awkward when you were getting together,” Draven stated, gesturing between Brax and Sabre.

“We’re not getting together,” Mikhail said instantly. He’d have to be blind not to notice the way Jinx flinched from his words. He cursed himself silently. Was he destined to hurt his fated mate every time he opened his mouth? Before he could apologise, Jinx spoke.

“That’s right. We’re not.”

Now, it washisturn to flinch. The words fell onto his senses like ice—sharp, cold, and painful. He spun around and walked to the kitchen, fiddling with the toaster to give his hands something to do. He knew Jinx followed; he could feel her presence at his back. But he didn’t say anything.

“Mikhail …”

His eyes fluttered closed upon hearing his name on her lips.Will my body always react to her this way?he wondered. His hand fisted, denting the toaster and embarrassing the hell out of him. Jinx reached around, removing the appliance from his hand. When he opened his eyes, he saw amusement on her face.

“I’m sure you can buff this out,” she told him cheekily.

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