Page 45 of The Devil's Mercy

“Plan a party,” he snapped as soon as the line connected, not bothering with pleasantries. He couldn’t stop thinking aboutMitri’s expression just now. He’d looked at him like he didn’t believe he and Cal were together.

Did he think he’d be a better candidate? Over his dead body—Mitri’s, not Aodhan’s, because no matter what Mercy said about lying low, if the forensic scientist tried anything with Calix, Aodhan would kill him. He should have already, when the guy had jokingly gone along with Bruce’s suggestion the two of them date.

They were all lucky that had never come to fruition, otherwise heads would be rolling.

Again.

“Good morning, Nyxian. How are you, Nyxian? I miss you, Nyxian,” a smooth voice trickled into his ear from the earbud. “Is that so hard to say, friend?”

“Should I tell Mercy you’re hitting on me and try to call again later?” he practically growled, entering his office and slamming the door behind him in frustration. He didn’t like this. Didn’t like feeling so chaotic and out of control. Sure, he was impulsive by nature, but he’d mastered control eons ago. But now…

It was the same feeling he’d gotten at the last party, when he’d called off their plans and sent Calix home without consulting with either Mercy or Nyxian. Aodhan didn’t like to share his things, but what's more, he didn’t like the idea of Calix falsely believing he could ever turn to someone else.

If he got loose now, would he go to Mitri? Probably. The forensic scientist was the only other person on planet whom Cal had some sort of relation to now that Bruce and Amory were dead. Troya had left the same day they’d captured the detective, so he wasn’t here to aid him in escape either.

No, if Cal slipped free, he’d go straight to Mitri for sure.

Aodhan needed to teach him how useless that would be. How bad of a decision it was to involve anyone else in this thing between them.

“It’s too early for threats,” Nyxian drawled, the soft sound of whimpers accompanying his voice this time.

He paused by his desk, listening more closely for a few seconds before asking, “Are you fucking right now?”

“Just be grateful I picked up your call despite being in the middle of something.”

“Is it the merman?”

“He has a name, you know.”

“He also has legs,” Aodhan quipped. “So?”

“Harbor,” Nyxian’s tone gentled, and it was clear he was no longer speaking to him, “wake up. Don’t pass out on me again. We’re getting to the good part.”

Aodhan plopped down in his chair and adjusted his tie, wishing he could rip the damn thing off. “Plan the party, Xian. Nothing too crazy. We’ll be bringing our Third.”

“Claimed him already, did you?”

His lips pressed into a thin line, irritation only growing when his friend barked out a mocking laugh.

“Getting ahead of yourself, as always. All right, A. I’ll set a date, pick a theme, and send over the details,” he growled, but that sound wasn’t for Aodhan either, “as soon as I’ve bred my vilec.”

Aodhan scowled at his device when the call was cut. “What the hell is up with everyone and the sudden breed kink?”

Children?

Hard pass.

Unless…

Shit. Did Calix want kids? He fucking hoped not. Connects tended to be pansexual, but Mercy had pretty muchdecided on his fate when he’d chosen not one, but two men of species who didn’t have males capable of birthing offspring.

“Can male mermaids get pregnant?” Damn it. Why was he thinking about this?

He clicked his number one contact, skin feeling like it was buzzing as he waited for the call to be accepted.

“Have you made it to work without maiming anyone, little killer?” Mercy asked by way of greeting, sounding like he’d just woken up despite having made coffee and kissed Aodhan out the door this morning.

“And what have you been up to?”

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