The Ripple Effect (Rhiannon's Law #3)(17)

“You’ve already told me these things,” I snapped, edgy and paranoid.

Goose grabbed my shoulder and stopped, forcing me to do the same. “Then you know what I’m about to say,” he said, staring at me. “Don’t do anything stupid. You’re going to have to put on the best performance of your life. Don’t be a smartass and don’t cause trouble. Follow the instructions Gabriel and Paine give you. They’ll keep the marks open for a reason. If they want you to do something, do it without question.” The concern in his gaze was very real. He honestly thought I was going to get myself killed.

“I’ve dealt with demons in the future. I know how to keep my mouth shut, contrary to popular belief.” When his expression remained skeptical, I placed my hand over his. “Trust me. I won’t do anything stupid. I’ve got the issue with the knife sorted out. All I have to do is play nice until Marius leaves. I can do this.”

“And Gabriel and Paine?” Goose shifted his gaze away. “What do you plan to do about them? Marius wants to see how far this triad goes. It’s not unheard of for vampires in a home to share a female necromancer, but he will be able to sense the tension between Gabriel and Paine. He won’t stand for something like that. They are vampires he has left behind to keep his authority in New York intact. A mortal woman creating problems between them will not be tolerated. Do you understand?”

“I understand.” My stomach churned as I said it. Boy, did I ever understand. I could very well get forced into the middle of a threesome with two vampires I cared for who also wanted to kill each other.

“Whatever it takes to make sure this runs nice and smooth,” I continued. “Gabriel doesn’t like to share, but he’ll keep his possessiveness in check if it means making Marius happy. Now...” I took a deep breath and lifted my shoulders. “Stop worrying. Everything’s going to be fine, you’ll see.”

I could have sworn I heard Goose grumble, “Sure it will,” as we resumed our trip up the stairs, but I didn’t call him on it. He didn’t have to accompany me, and I needed as many friends as I could get. The rest of the vampire family wasn’t speaking to me—including Nala—since I’d ditched Disco shortly after I saved him, so any support was better than none.

Paine was waiting at the door when we stepped onto the porch. I noticed the mark between us was wide open, hitting me like a slap in the face, telling me all I needed to know. For whatever reason, I needed to touch Paine as I walked inside—the sooner the better. There was a charge in the air, a sexual energy. I wasn’t sure if Paine was the cause, or if Marius was. Either way, being marked by Disco and Paine changed things. With both their claims, I was fairly certain it meant I had to pretend to be available—sexually or otherwise—to both of them.

“Missed you,” I murmured and rose onto my tiptoes to kiss him on the cheek.


“Same here.” His relief was only obvious through our mark. He reached for my bags but I grinned and pulled them away.

“Bad boy,” I chastised in a teasing voice that made me want to hurl. “You can’t ruin my surprises by learning what’s inside.”

“Take your things upstairs. The family is waiting in the formal room. When you’re settled meet us there.”

Crapedy, crap. No warm up. Taken from the pit and thrown straight into the fire.

Paine stepped back and I started walking in an all too familiar path, one I wasn’t ready to take. I hadn’t entered Disco’s bedroom since the night it had all went to hell between us. Ethan remained just behind me until we reached my destination. I hesitated at the door, staring at the handle, when he placed his hand on my shoulder.

“Going inside the bedroom is the easy part. Remember that.”

I sighed, shoulders drooping. “Way to make me feel better.”

“I’m just preparing you for what’s coming. You knew this wouldn’t be easy.”

The metal doorknob was cold against my palm, sending an electric tremor up my spine. Before I could question it, I turned my wrist and opened the door. Goose must have realized I was back in the zone because he released my shoulder and resumed his trip to his room. I stepped inside Disco’s personal space and closed the door behind me.

I froze, surprised by what I found.

Aside from the placement of the furniture, everything was different. The bed, desk, and even the curtains had been replaced. The large bed had a large headboard carved with roses and vines, matching the imposing desk situated across from it. The linens were also new, the pillows and comforter a lovely shade of crimson.

Shaking off my shock, I peered around.

The fireplace was clean, no ash or charred wood inside. It was as though everything had been taken from the room and replaced. I hated myself for the relief I experienced, as well as for the jealousy I felt. Had Disco changed things to remove memories of the two of us inside his private chambers? Thinking of other human hosts seeing to Disco’s hungers and warming his bed during my absence didn’t sit well with me. I might be mad, and I might have continued pushing him away, but I still considered him mine.

How f*cked up was that?

It didn’t take long for me to come out of my stupor and put my things against the wall, on the left side of the bed. It was the place I’d slept when my relationship with Disco was on the up and up. Bittersweet memories threatened to surface, but I denied them, keeping my focus on the suitcase. The large rectangular unit with hidden areas had cost more money than I cared to think about, but it was worth every penny. Unless any of the vampires in the residence got nosey, my personal arsenal would remain out of sight.