Page 98 of Unexpectedly In Love

I shake my head. “I’m staying long enough to watchEncanto,” I counter.

Sage comes into the room, both kids roll off the bed and rush toward Sage. She is still sore from the delivery, so she touches their head. “Daddy got popcorn downstairs for you.”

Before she can complete her sentence, they rush downstairs.

Sage comes in and sits at the side of the bed, she takes my hand and warms it in hers.

“Ready to kick me out?” I ask.

“No. Having you here is a great distraction to the kids.” She pushes her hair behind her ears and looks down at our hands.

“Eryx called to talk to me.” Sage bites her bottom lip and waits for my response.

I pull my hands out of hers slowly. “What he say?”

“He asked for you and Kai. I told him to go stand outside and wait, the trash normally gets picked up around this time. Then I hang the phone up.”

I chortle. “Why do your insults sound so proper?”

She shrugs. “Did he call you?”

“Yes, but I took my phone off.”

“Do you think you can forgive him?” Sage probes.

“Yes, but I’m not ready yet.” That was the truth. No one is going to force me to talk to him.

“Okay, well if he called me, he will try the others.”

I laugh to myself. “I wish him all the best.”

* * *

ERYX

One sister told me I was trash, the other threatened to slice my cock off with her scalpel. Now I’m walking into Cassia’s Yoga’s center.

The wind chimes tinkle as I open the door. Three women stood by the reception area talking to Cassia. Her studio feels calm and tranquil compared to the bustle of the outside streets. The soft sound of wind instruments and running water float through the air.

The studio smells of wood and some other scents I can’t place. I lean on the wall with my arms folded over my chest, waiting for Cassia to see me.

Her eyes flash with rage when I come through the door. I guess she wanted me dead too. I understand why Cid is so enwrapped with her. She is graceful, the way she talks and gestures to clients. Her locks are wrapped in a white cotton scarf. White yoga pants hang low on her hips, and the toga top she wore adds to the aesthetic. She looks like freaking Mother Earth.

“Namaste, thank you for coming. Till next week.” Cassia ushers her clients outside. One of the girls waves at me as she passes by.

Cassia locks the door and passes me straight like she doesn’t see my 6’4 frame on this wall.

“Cassia I-,” I pause as she raises her hand to stop me.

“Do you know why I have a yoga center, Eryx?” She walks behind the counter and takes out a jeweled scabbard and pulls out a beautiful, crafted blade.

“It’s because I have anger issues. Yoga keeps me calm and now you are disturbing the peace within my studio. What should I do about that?” She points the knife at me like she was about to throw it.

“I was wrong, disrespectful and I want your help please.” I hope that is enough.

She walks to the door, opens it; her blade still swings in her hand. “What you want doesn’t matter to me?”

“Cassia, please,” I plead.

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