Page 22 of Fated Redemption
“Peyton, this is an Xbox. It was created by god to ensure that men would not lose their minds from boredom,” Daniel began.
Peyton’s eyes widened. “Like soap operas?”
Daniel looked startled, but rolled with it. “Sure, like soap operas. Let’s hook this baby up and we will indoctrinate you in the bloody warfare ofCall of Duty.” Daniel grinned and all three turned to head into the bar.
Rhys cleared his throat. His mate was kind enough to let the broken window slide, but he wasn’t about to let the twins play games while his mate cleaned up the mess.
“David, Daniel, I know that you weren’t going to start playing games before you cleaned up the glass and helped Moe set the bar to rights.” Rhys crossed his arms and thumped his fingers across the muscles of his forearm.
David and Daniel’s faces immediately turned to pouts.
“Rhys, I can…” Moe started.
Rhys shook his head.
“Can we just hook up the Xbox first, for Peyton?” Daniel asked with puppy dog eyes.
“No, because then that will turn into getting it hooked up to the internet, then getting his account set up. By that time Moe will have everything done. No. Help clean up first, then play.”
The twins exhaled. “Yes, Rhys.” They sighed and trudged inside.
“And don’t think for a second that you’re using my profile for Peyton to learn on, my stats are better than yours,” Rhys called after them.
“Awww man!” The twins groaned.
Rhys chuckled. He knew what they had been up to. Trying to let Peyton use his profile to lower his kill count? He didn’t think so.
“Come on, let’s go take a nap while the boys clean up.” Moe yawned. Rhys tried to hold back a yawn and failed. He too was normally asleep this time of day. Both of them had sacrificed sleep to help Rebecca and his prince.
“Sounds good.” Hand in hand they stepped past the wolf-dented door and headed upstairs.
“I’ve never seen the twins so angry before.” Rhys kicked off his shoes and flung himself on the bed.
“Never?” Moe asked, also toeing off his shoes and climbing onto the bed next to Rhys.
“In the coven, they are like everyone’s little brothers, there was always someone bigger, stronger, faster or older to defend them. Since you’re my mate, you are considered a member of the coven. They view Peyton as your family, so Peyton has become a coven member too. I think when David and Daniel saw Peyton being abused, suddenly they were the older brothers.” Rhys smiled. It was nice to know that they had learned how to be big brothers from him and the rest of the coven.
“They didn’t do anything I wouldn’t have done. In fact it may have been a blessing they got to him first. I would have killed him.”
Rhys laid a hand on his mate’s broad chest. He was growling and it rumbled under his fingers.
“He’s gone now and can’t hurt us or try and influence the council anymore.” Rhys let out a relieved sigh.
“Maybe now our lives can calm down.” Moe yawned.
Rhys snuggled close to Moe’s warmth. Somehow, he didn’t think that calm would ever be a word to describe their lives, not in Arkadia, anyway.
Rhys dried a shot glass as he watched David and Daniel yell and bounce around Peyton. They had set up the Xbox on the largest sports TV in the bar.
Moe had just shrugged and started to stock the bar for the night. His mate was such a softie. At first Duncan and Emmett had grumbled since their favorite football team was playing, but before Rhys knew it they had grabbed controllers and joined in the fun.
Peyton had blown David and Daniel away. He was a natural. His tiny fingers manipulated the controller with the skill of a lifetime gamer. Rhys had caught Daniel looking at Peyton from the corner of his eye, as if he were trying to determine if the smaller man was hustling them. But, the radiant joy on Peyton’s face was too genuine to fake.
“Peyton, over there, you take the boarded window!” Emmett yelled.
“Got it!” Peyton bounced in his chair, moving his arms around as if he were the one shooting the gun.
They were playing zombie mode. Rhys was surprised that the zombies hadn’t freaked Peyton out. So far, he looked like he was having the time of his life.
