Page 22 of Nightmare For Hire
There seem to be more humans than monsters, which tends to be the case. I studied all the monster towns before deciding on Rivenfield. Stonehowe and Edgewind didn’t feel right for me. But Rivenfield has this subtle coziness to it that drew me in. So the fact Mick is here sours my excitement at being in my chosen monster town.
After a few minutes, I hop off the treadmill and head over to the weights. The orc is still performing deadlifts and I don’t want to get in his way, so I work with the leg press. I like to cycle through the machines and free weights depending on my mood. And today is leg day. Probably not the best idea, but it’s what I’m feeling at the moment.
I accidentally catch the orc’s eye and he gives me a grin. On his last drop, he walks around the barbell and holds out his hand to me. “I’m Maddox. Never seen you here before. Welcome.”
His hand is huge compared to mine. “Cyrus. I’m new. Trying to get a workout in before heading to my shift. Helps me focus.” I give him a smile.
“Nox’s Cyrus?”
“He told you about me?” My cheeks heat.
“He was incredibly excited to go on a date with someone named Cyrus. It was endearing. I’ve never seen him act so excited and he’s excitable. Like a puppy. How’d it go? I haven’t heard.” Maddox wiggles his dark brows, making me snort.
“I enjoyed myself and really want to see him again.” Hopefully soon, if my schedule allows.
“That makes me happy. I hope to see you around here more.”
“That’s the plan. I want to get to know everyone.”
“I’m heading out, myself. But it’s always nice to meet a new face.” He gives me a nod, then clears up his work space andheads out. I should have asked him about his tattoos, but I’m not that courageous yet.
I finish with the leg press, wipe it down, reset the weight, and move on to the next few exercises. Before long, it’s time to shower real quick, meet with Talley for a cover job, then it’s off to work.
Chapter 11
Nox
Medusa greets me at the host station in Portal Place Diner. Her brows scrunch as she takes me in.
“What’s wrong, pumpkin? I don’t think I’ve ever seen a frown on that pretty face of yours. It’s unsettling.”
“I have a bone to pick with a merman,” I grumble. My hands fist. We’re meeting today for payment. He wanted to pay early, and I can’t decide whether to chew him out about his treatment of Cyrus or see how things play. I sent him a few texts about giving Cyrus nightmares. All lies, but he seemed happy with the fake results.
Medusa bobs her head. “The guy that bugged you and Cyrus the other day?”
“That’s the one.” I shake off the irritation and stand taller. “I think he’s going to get a taste of his own medicine very soon.”
“Go get ‘em tiger.” Medusa takes me to my favorite booth and I wait for the merman to show up.
Luckily, Mick is punctual and I have to give him brownie points for not making me wait. I grind my teeth when he slides into the seat across from me and smiles.
“You withheld some information, Mick.” I steeple my hands and lean forward. “Why didn’t you tell me Cyrus already has nightmares?”
Mick waves my question away. “Why does it matter? He tosses and turns and talks in his sleep every damn night. It’s annoying as fuck.”
“When someone has nightmares without a Nightmare giving them, it means they have major trauma.”
Mick snorts. “That’s for damn sure.”
I wait, hoping Mick will give me the information.
“I don’t know the extent of it.” He shrugs. “I think he was molested as a kid. You’d think he’d be over it by now.”
My eyes widen. How could anyone do that to a child? And this asshole. How dare he tell a stranger something so personal.
I don’t even need to breathe, but I take a deep breath to compose myself. I rarely let myself use human thinking, but in this instance, I think it’s warranted. “You mean to tell me, knowing he hasthat type of trauma, you used your mer haze of seduction on him to get him in bed?”
“I mean… yeah? How else would I have gotten him to sleep with me? He wanted time, Nox. Someone as hot as him shouldn’t be allowed to wastemytime like that. I have needs.”
