Page 8 of Three Bites

“It’s fine,” I mumbled into the pillow. “Having someone in my space is nice. My brother…” I stopped, wondering if I should share something so private with this stranger, but Theo’s coaxing smile made me melt. “My brother likes singing too. Mostly in the shower. And he is horrible at it, so don’t worry, my ears can take it.”

With my approval in place, Theo returned to preparing breakfast and this time he added his voice to the mix. I closed my eyes, letting the enthusiastic performance echo around me. It was a comfort I had lost access to months ago. It felt like years of being deprived of this. The familiarity made my heart clench but there was one stark difference.

Theo’s singing voice was amazing.

Another point to add to the angel theory, I mused with amusement.

I managed to drag myself out of bed when the smell of fresh coffee reached me and I inhaled the prepared breakfast with gusto. It wasn’t anything fancy, just sandwiches as there was hardly anything in my fridge, but the trouble Theo went through for me still made me warm. It was nice to have a normal conversation with someone, without any knives hiding behind the words.

When I got ready for work a knock on the door surprised me. Usually, everyone left me alone, not wanting to tempt fate and have my bad luck rub onto them, so I wasn’t expecting anyone.

Theo made for the door like an over eager guard dog about to start barking but I crossed his path and silently quelled him with a look until he reluctantly slinked back to where he wouldn’t be visible from the door. If, by some miracle, no one spotted him entering my quarters yesterday or Theo sitting by my door, then I wanted to keep my privacy a bit longer.

When the door opened I saw my plan to be inconspicuous was moot, as the rest of the Sanguine party stood there, looking at me intently.

“Come in,” I said with a sigh.

Matthias shouldered his way in while the leader, Tristan, followed him at a more sedate pace.

“Good Morning, Miss—”

“Are you alright? Do I have to break that bastard’s hands?” the heavily muscled man cut Tristan off, his harsh tone making me tense up.

“No need. I already did that,” Theo said with a smirk. “Well, dislocated his shoulder, but potato, potahto!”

Was the brash Matthias’ stare full of… envy? Was he jealous he couldn’t exact violence upon Carl? The glaring was unnecessary!

The leader sighed.

“Boys, we are here to reassure Miss Victoria, not make her even more worried. Please forgive me for the late introduction. My name is Tristan Almanstar. You already know Theo, and this is Matthias.”

The older man spotted my discomfort at the rising tension and rectified the situation. It seemed this Tristan Almanstar was a true leader and had the respect of his peers as Matthias huffed, looking away to break the staring contest, while Theo gave an apologetic smile.

“How are the negotiations going?” Theo asked.

Tristan tried to keep his expression impassive but by the tightening around his mouth I could tell he wasn’t pleased.

“It seems the talks are going to take longer than anticipated. It may be a week or more before we will come to an agreement.”

“From what I have heard through the grapevine, you were invited to discuss the fate of the Persimmon club and it was supposed to be a quick matter,” I dared to speak. “Did… did whatever you want with me complicate the talks so much?”

“Yes, you have changed everything.”

The slow unfurling smile on Tristan’s lips held me utterly captivated. He said those words as if I was the best thing to ever happen to him. Which couldn’t be true: I made trouble for them, complicated things, changed the situation. I refused to believe that was a good thing.

“What are you negotiating for? What do you want from me?” I asked helplessly.

“We will take you away from here,” Matthias growled. His form towered over me as he leaned closer.

“We want to keep you safe,” Theo murmured, his hand reaching to brush against mine.

“Will you let us make you ours?” Tristan asked.

I was surrounded by three powerful, rich, and beautiful men who wanted to whisk me away from danger like a princess. There was only one answer I could give.

“No.”

Chapter Six

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