Page 23 of His Place in the World
“I see.Maybe we can talk about all of this during dinner after the auction.I’m always open to adding more associates to my business opportunities.”
“I’d be delighted.”
Del swallowed.His stomach churned, threatening to make him throw up.He was disgusted by the way Colbert behaved.He acted as if shifters were nothing more than objects to be bought and sold.He wasn’t one bit bothered about anything happening in that room, and Del counted backward from twenty to keep himself from going right inside and punching the asshole.
He peeked at his brother.Doyle was much calmer than he was, and while that might have something to do with the fact that Doyle’s mate wasn’t in there being treated like a piece of meat, Del couldn’t help but be impressed.
His brother had always been the nervous kind, even when there was nothing to be nervous about.Right now, though, he was settled, and part of that was thanks to the man sitting next to him with his arm wrapped around his waist.Marcus had done Doyle a lot of good, but then, so had living with the pack.Doyle had finally found a place where he belonged, even though it had been hard in the beginning considering the situation that had brought him to the Rosewood pack.
“They’re all doing great jobs,” Doyle said as if he felt Del needed to be reassured.
“It’s not the four of them I’m worried about.It’s everyone else.What if they find out Angus and the others don’t belong there?”
“Then we go in.”
“It’s that easy?”
Doyle nodded, suddenly serious.“Why else would we be here?We even brought Carey.”
Del eyed the man.He was on the other side of the van, for which Del was grateful because he didn’t seem to be able to stay still for more than a few seconds at a time.“What’s up with him?”
“He’s just a weird guy.You’ll get used to it.”
“Will I?”
Doyle grinned.“Just make sure to stay away from him when he gets into a fight.I wouldn’t want you to burn to a crisp.”
Del squinted at his brother.“That seems specific.”
“Because it is.Carey and his twin brother are phoenix shifters.They can set things on fire with a thought, and Carey is way too enthusiastic about that, especially in fights.He tends to get carried away.”
“I’ll stay away from him,” Del promised.Now that he knew what Doyle was talking about, he was happy to do so.
“Have you and Angus talked?”Doyle asked.
Del looked around the van.It would be impossible for the others not to hear what he was saying, but they were all focused on the screens.He supposed he should be, too, but it was hard to see Angus do this without him.It was for the best, though, and he’d realized that as soon as he and Angus had talked about it after the meeting with Ryland and Remi a few days ago.
That didn’t mean he didn’t want to run in there and protect his mate.
“How do you deal with these feelings?”he asked his brother.
Doyle didn’t ask what he was talking about.“It’s tough, isn’t it?And I bet it’s even worse for you, considering the situation Angus is in right now.”
“It’s almost as if my brain isn’t mine anymore.I’ve never felt this way for anyone else, and it’s fucking confusing.”
“It’s still confusing for me, even though Marcus and I have been together for some time.I don’t know if this feeling will ever smooth out, but I also don’t know if I want it to.I like feeling this way.I like being nuts about Marcus and wanting to be with him all the time.”
“What about when he’s at work?Aren’t you worried something will happen to him?”
“Always, but I have faith in him.”He leaned closer.“Does this mean you’re giving Angus a chance?”
Del looked at the screen.He was watching the party through Ryland’s camera, which meant he could see Angus.Angus’s expression was smooth, but his focus jumped from one person to another, and Del had no doubt he was working hard to keep up the show.He’d be fine, just like the others would.
“Was there ever a doubt I would?”he asked.“We’ll see where things go after this, but I want it to work.”
“It will,” Doyle promised.
Del couldn’t help but wonder if his brother was right.He wasn’t lying, though.He’d do everything to make sure his relationship with Angus was successful.
