Page 36 of Clash of Sin and Secret

She grins. “Slow your roll, Viking. Zane’s shower is as big as most normal bathrooms. There is plenty of room for me to come in and help you two clean up. You’re filthy and covered in debris, front and back.”

Scottie carefully peels a swatch of fabric off Huntley’s arm, and grimaces at the angry red skin underneath. “This is me taking care of you both after an exceptionally rough night.”

I flash her a smirk. “You know…we’d enjoy the chance to take care of you, too. All you have to do is say the word.”

Scottie finishes with Huntley and surveys our damage like it’s art waiting to be critiqued. “Don’t push your luck, Vasari. You’re not half as sexy as you think you are.”

“I’m not?” I turn to Huntley. “What do you think?”

“She’s nuts. You’re sexy as fuck.”

“Thank you.”

Scottie scoffs and strides past me to tap the control pad of the shower. When the water turns on, she sweeps her hand toward the empty shower. “You’re right. The two of you can handle the cleanup on your own. No need to muddy the waters.”

My smile falters. “What? No. We need the help, don’t we?”

Huntley nods vigorously. “Absolutely. There are spots on my back I can’t reach, and I’m pretty sure something sharp is lodged in my right ass cheek.”

He drops his boxers and spins so fast my jaw drops to the floor. “How does my ass look?”

Scottie snorts. “Like it was chiseled by one of the greats. Now, get into the shower, both of you. I’m volunteering to care for you, nothing more.”

“Why?” The question is out of my mouth before I have time to stop myself from asking. “Not that I’m complaining?—”

“—because he’s totally not,” Huntley adds.

“No, I’m not, but why are you here, caring for us? When we left…”

“When you left, I was sorting through everything that happened. Now that I have all the facts and know what you two were going through—I forgive you. It’s time we heal old wounds and get back what we lost.”

Those three words hang in the air between us, and I’m more dazed now than I was after the explosion. “You forgive me?”

I watch her expression shift. It’s confident yet tinged with something deeper that makes me want to understand it more fully. It’s more than a surface-level acknowledgment of what we’ve all endured together. It’s loving. “I’m past the pain and ready to move forward.”

“What does that mean?” I really need to stop pressing her, but I’m desperate to know. Am I getting a second chance here? Is this really happening?

“It means…” She hesitates briefly before meeting our gazes, conviction in her voice. “It means I want to come home. I’m tired of being angry and alone. You two are stuck with me for the foreseeable future. I’ve already told Jack I’m ready to dothe bonding ritual and officially accept my place as your Sacred Squire.”

And just like that, my life has meaning again.

Tucker

I step into my father’s apartment, the scent of sandalwood and leather welcoming me. Jack’s bachelor pad is a blend of rustic charm and elegant touches, pieces he collected during his years as the personal guard to the vampire king.

The walls are lined with framed photographs—some are black-and-white portraits of him and Francesco Vasari from a century ago. Others capture fleeting moments of Jack in action, sword in hand.

The furniture is sturdy yet sophisticated; a deep brown leather couch sits opposite a glass coffee table with ornate carvings. A large bookshelf stretches across one wall, filled with tomes on strategy and history, along with a few well-loved novels. Near the window, an antique chessboard gleams under the soft light, pieces arranged as if waiting for someone to challenge Jack’s intellect.

“Hey,” I say as I let myself in and lock the door behind me.

Jack leans into the room from the kitchen. “Hey, son. It’s late. Is everything all right?”

“Yeah, I’m going to crash here tonight.” I shrug off my jacket and hang it on the hook beside the door. “Scottie has things she needs to work out with Zane and Huntley. I’m giving them space.”

“Your idea or hers?”

“Mine.” I toe off my shoes and make my way toward him. “She’s been very honest about how invested her emotions are with those two. She’s also been very honest with her feelings for me.”

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