Page 136 of Immortal Bastard

Leaning back in his chair, he glanced into the kitchen. The females gathered around the desserts and spoke in a huddle. They were always forming circles as if conjuring.

“So, how’s it going with you and Christian?” Sister Annalise asked, nibbling on the crust of the freshly baked pie.

Christian’s shoulders tensed. Another violation of their laws—gossip and a blatant disregard for the privacy of family law.

Sister Grace slapped her fingers away. “Wait until everyone takes a slice before you chew off the crust like a little mouse.”

“I can’t help it. The crust is my favorite part.”

“Well, no one wants it after your fingers have been all over it.”

“Hush, Grace. Delilah was about to spill some tea.” Sister Annalise went back to picking at the crust.

“It’s…not as bad as I thought it would be,” Delilah admitted.

“I’m sure the sex helps,” Sister Destiny teased and Christian frowned. These females were grossly indecent.

“That’s pretty much the only time we get along,” Delilah said and his scowl deepened.

She should not discuss such private matters with others, but his curiosity prevented him from correcting her.

Sister Annalise worked her way around the entire pie. “He doesn’t say much.”

“He’s quiet,” Delilah agreed. “And I guess you could say today was actually pretty nice. He took me around the farm to see all the animals. I named them.”

He smirked, recalling her peculiar but adorable need to name each creature. She had looked into the eyes of each animal, scratching their ears and speaking to them as if they might understand. He’d asked if they spoke back, wondering if she possessed some sort of discipline for communing with the wild, but she only laughed at such a question, claiming she just liked to be friendly.

How silly to name a cow Marmaduke, he thought, smothering a chuckle.

“Can I see your tattoo?” Sister Annalise asked.

“Sure.” Delilah held out her arm, drawing back her sleeve.

“You have so many.” Sister Grace admired the colorful ink. “Does it hurt?”

“Only in the beginning. Then it just feels like regular skin.” Delilah frowned. “Some of them need touching up.” She lifted her skirts and Christian’s eyes bulged. “I have more on my legs.”

The females crouched and tittered with interest. “Oh, look at this one!” Sister Grace exclaimed. “How clever!”

“I like the butterfly.”

“What’s this one?”

“Oh,” Delilah blushed. “That’s a drawing my friend made one night on a napkin. I thought it was cool so I turned it into a tattoo.”

He’d seen enough. Rising from the table, he went to the kitchen before his mate’s knees were on display. “Delilah.”

She looked up with a smile. “Yeah?”

Cover yourself.

She dropped her skirt, and her smile fell.

Sister Grace also frowned. “Did you need something, Brother Christian?”

Only to keep his mate’s modesty intact.

Delilah’s fist rested on her hip. “Why don’t you go play with the other boys?”

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