Page 14 of Not All Himbos Wear Capes
My heart stopped. It was one thing to be at the beck and call of Glacial Girl and my aggravating siblings, but Apocalypto Man was a final boss-level villain. I tried to avoid the Suarez family compound, but even when I was summoned, I rarely saw my father. This was fine by me. He was a literal world-ender who could just as easily snap my neck as Thanos-snap the universe into oblivion. Whatever he wanted with me couldn’t be good.
Maybe I can hide at the bottom of Awakener’s Bay...
“Breathe, doofus,” my sister cackled as she opened the door, finally peeling her black leather-covered ass out of my car and handing me my keys. “You know he doesn’t need toseeyou tokillyou.”
Not. Helpful.
She lazily stretched before retrieving a device I recognized from her jacket pocket. “Besides, I think you’lllikewhat he has in mind for you since it apparently involves one of your evil genius toys.”
With a flick of her wrist, the palm-sized cylinder Violentia was holding transformed into a douchey Segway I’d designed for her out of spite. Unfortunately, she ended up loving itandfiguring out how to disarm the self-destruct mechanism I’d originally programmed it with.
A complete waste of my time and talent.
I didn’t even want toconsiderwhat sort of ‘toy’ Apocalypto Man wanted from me. Any intel I was deemed worthy of knowing would come through in the family chat, so I banished it from my mind for now.
Especially because I have a more important toy to think about.
“As thrilling as this chat has been, Vi, I need to get back to my date,” I airily dismissed her with a wave of my hand. “Which you interrupted.”
I instantly realized I’d fucked up. Her cool gaze swept over me, instantly assessing my day-old clothes, the egg-sandwich aroma wafting from the bag in my hands, and that I was lurking outside this supposed lair of Supes Most Wanted.
Shit.
“What’ll it take to keep this walk of shame out of the chat?” I sighed.
My sister smirked. “I want a new toy, too.” She fired up the Segway.“Withouta doomsday device built in this time.”
“I make no promises!” I shouted after her as she sped off, playing chicken with an oncoming city bus until it drove up onto the sidewalk.
Fuck my life.
Taking a deep breath, I turned and walked back into the marble lobby, tossing my car keys to the on-site valet. As soon as the elevator doors closed, a fresh wave of Apocalypto-related panic washed over me. Yanking my phone out of my pocket again, I stared at my therapist’s number, wondering if Ownit could squeeze me in sooner than my weekly Tuesday afternoon slot.
I will not allow my triggers to control me.
The elevator dinged at the 98th floor, doors sliding open as a strange sense ofcalmwashed over me. I cautiously walked along the thickly carpeted private hallway, wondering if what I was experiencing was actually the lull before a psychotic break.
Reaching Butch’s door, I swung it open and stepped inside, noticing how my relaxation only amplified, despite the questionable taste in decor. As my confused gaze drifted to where Butch stood—facing the street side windows, shirtless with all those drool-worthy muscles on full display, blasting me with that fresh scent of his—I suddenly felt as if everything wasrightin the world.
Oh, fuck.
It’s… him.
I really am fucked.
Clearing my throat in an attempt to dislodge this terrifying truth, I walked to the granite kitchen island to unpack breakfast.
“I come bearing gifts!” I exclaimed, determined not to infect my date with my Violentia-induced bad mood. “All I found in your kitchen was nut milk and protein powder, so figured some grease would do that body good. Every day’s a cheat day with me, sweetheart…”
My nervous babbling trailed off as Butch turned to face me, his broad chest heaving, sweat beading on his brow, looking as scared as an ultra-jacked bodybuilder could.
WHO HURT HIM?!
That someonehad threatened what wasminewhile I was gone made a murderous rage swell in my chest. My vision tunneled until all I could see was the perpetrator’s head brandished on a stake as I howled my victory through the streets of Big City.
“Who was that woman you were talking to down there?” he quietly asked, immediately bringing my attention back to reality.
What?
