The Ripple Effect (Rhiannon's Law #3)(12)

“That’s one thing, what’s the other?”

“I’m certain we’ll find her in an abbey. The document is signed by an abbot.”

“So we’re looking for an abbey in the good ’ole U.S. of A. That should be cake.”

“You just can’t help yourself, can you?” I could clearly envision Goose pacing around his office, annoyed and grinding his teeth. “Ever the smartass.”

“Sorry, it’s been a bad couple of days.” I remembered how battered he was from our tussle and winced. “Speaking of bad days, how are you holding up?”

“My bruises are fading, but you broke my nose. Paine had to break it again so it would mend straight.”

That had to hurt like a bitch. Time to kiss up. “Would it help if I said I’m sorry?”

“No apology is necessary. You did what you had to. I know things got messy, but you didn’t lose your cool. That’s what’s important. My injuries will heal.”

“That’s good to know.”

There was a rasp in the speaker, as if Goose had changed ears. “Did you and Gabriel have a chance to talk?”

My unladylike snort caused him to chuckle. “If you want to call it that,” I muttered.

“You know Marius is coming.” Not a question, indicating he knew the answer.

“I do. I also know I have to be on my best behavior.”

“It might...” He stopped and I could almost hear his mental gears grinding. “Maybe you should come by so we can talk about everything. Marius is nothing like Gabriel or Paine. He’s...”

“One scary son of a bitch?”

“You have such a way with words.” He sighed into the phone. “That’s one way of putting it. He won’t tolerate anything that could create discord among the family. Since you’ve already created problems, you’re going to have to prove you’re worth keeping.”

“Worth keeping? Am I pet?”


“I’ve told you that to vampires we’re less than pets, we’re belongings.”


Belongings that could be easily disposed of. “So you have.”

Goose hesitated. Then he said softly, “He knows about you and Paine.”

I wanted to hang up and pretend I didn’t hear him. “Knows what about me and Paine?”

“Everything.”

Oh Christ. It was bad enough Goose and the family knew. “Disco told him?”

“Probably, although he didn’t necessarily have to. Vampires can usually tell when a human is...uh...intimate with another of their kind.”

“Technically, I haven’t been intimate with anyone since I returned. The Paine of the future isn’t the Paine of the present.”

“No, you haven’t.” Poor Goose, it was obvious he was extremely uncomfortable with the conversation. “But you share a connection with Paine now. Once a familiar bond has been created, it can’t be broken.”

And wasn’t that the kicker? I did have a connection to him, a weird sense of calm when he was around. Of course, that was also partially due to him keeping our mark open, allowing me access to his emotions. So far it had been fine. Paine was a friend, nothing more. But with Disco’s recent behavior, and now with Marius coming home, things were only going to become more complicated.

I sighed. “Go ahead and say it. You’re trying to tell me something.”

“The next few days aren’t going to be fun for you, Gabriel, or Paine. All of you are going to have to put your differences aside and get along. Gabriel called me and asked that I make you aware of how it might be and what you should expect.”

“Go on,” I said, waiting for the other shoe to drop.

“The three of you...well...the three of you will have to be close.” Goose coughed and cleared his throat. “Extremely close.”

“How close you are talking?” It was wrong to goad him, to make him continue, but his embarrassment amused me. “Will I have to get down and dirty in front of the family? Are you telling Marius wants some ménage action to keep him happy?”

“You know that’s not what I meant.” The embarrassment vanished, leaving me with an angry Goose—exactly how I wanted him. Mission accomplished. “Stop being difficult and start being serious,” he snapped. “This isn’t funny.”

“Do you hear me laughing?” I asked, suddenly tired. The past couple of days really had stressed me out. Just when I cleared one hurdle, another appeared to take its place. Admitting that to myself was oddly deflating. When Goose didn’t respond, I said, “I know it isn’t funny. I’m just trying to take the edge off.”

“I’m afraid you don’t have that luxury.”

Of course I didn’t have the luxury of blowing off steam. Getting into a proper head space and finding my balance would make things easy. Couldn’t have that.

Fuck my life.

“So I’m going to have to make Marius believe I’m fine about having marks from Disco and Paine? Is that what you’re trying to tell me?”

“That’s exactly what I’m trying to tell you.”

“I’m pretty sure I can pull that off, so long as Disco and Paine behave. If they start acting like *s, there isn’t much I can do about it.”