Wicked Edge (Realm Enforcers, #2)(29)
“Mom—” Logan started.
“I mean it,” she said, her voice hoarse.
Logan swallowed, shuffled his feet, and nodded.
Garrett cleared his throat. “Yes, ma’am.”
Nicholai smiled as he shook his head. “Sorry, Felicity.”
Yes, she’d figured Nick would report back to Zane, her eldest son and the ruler of the demon nation. So she turned and smiled at Daire. “I suggest you speak with your friend, or your flat will be overrun with demons. If Zane shows up, you know Dage won’t be able to stay away, he’s such a busybody of a vampire king.”
Daire’s eyes flickered, but to his credit, his expression revealed nothing. “Nick? If you call Zane, I’m going to sic Simone on you.”
Nick’s eyes gleamed. “Please, do. I’ve been waiting for your cousin’s temper to explode so I can take care of unfinished business with her.”
Felicity sighed and glanced around, seeing an open doorway. “I assume the master and bath are through there?”
“Aye,” Daire said.
“Good. If there’s any way to get fresh clothing here by the time I’m finished with a very long shower, I’d appreciate it.” She moved to go.
Logan stopped her with one gentle hand on her arm. “Mom? Come with us. You don’t have to stay here.”
She swallowed and forced a smile for her youngest. No way did she want them all to fight, and after everything, she did owe Daire an explanation. Heck. Not only had she drugged him, she’d almost gotten him killed. More than once. “I know, but I do have matters to discuss with Daire. I’ll call you when I’m finished.”
Logan shook his head. “No.”
She stilled. “Excuse me?”
He kept her gaze, but his ears turned red again. “I’m not leaving you with him.”
“Why not?” she asked, her temper prickling up her back.
“Because you’re, I mean, you’re—”
Hurt smashed into her stomach. Of course her own kid knew how weak she was. How she’d failed him and his brothers. Even so, the agony of that fact spurred her anger. “I’m what?” she yelled up into his face.
He sucked in air. “You’re my mom!” he yelled back.
Oh. Her body relaxed. “Huh. You’re right. This has to be weird.” The poor kid. She gentled her voice. “Logan, I’m barely over a century old. That’s hardly an adult in human terms. I was young when I had you boys, incredibly young for a demon.”
“I know.” The blush moved to his face. “But . . .”
Nick strode toward the door. “The boys and I will go out to dinner, and you two can catch up later.” He opened the door and paused. “Felicity, I am going to have to report to Zane. There were a series of mines blown up in Russia earlier, and while I haven’t connected the dots as of yet, something tells me you weren’t attacked by polar bears on a tropical cruise.”
She glared at Daire. Man, he had a big mouth. “Enjoy your dinner,” she said sweetly.
Nick herded the boys out, giving Logan a rather hard-looking shove to get him to leave. The door snicked shut.
Felicity breathed out.
Daire leaned back against the wall. “Felicity or Cee Cee?”
She shrugged. “Both. It’s like calling a Katherine Kathy or Juniper Junie. Cee Cee is a nickname, and I answer to both.”
“So at least you only kind of lied about your name.”
Ah, the anger had only been banked temporarily. “Yes,” she said. She tried to brush by him, not surprised when he wrapped a hand around her bicep and halted her in place. “You said I could borrow your shower.”
“Yes.” He leaned down, his breath heated at her ear. “Just so we’re clear. I don’t give two flying f*cks who your kids are, who your friends are, or who your allies are.” His hold tightened just enough to be threatening without causing any pain. “You lie to me again, and the last few days will seem like a dream vacation compared to what I’ll do.”
Reality hit her in the face. He really didn’t care. Daire Dunne didn’t see her as a damaged demon, a widow, or even the mother of the most powerful demon on the planet. He didn’t see any of that. The enforcer saw her as all woman.
She turned and smiled at him, so much warmth rippling through her she nearly swayed.
He released her and stepped back, his brows furrowing together. “Don’t even try to charm me.”
She couldn’t help it. Her smile widened, and delight bubbled up.
He growled and gave her a not-so-gentle nudge toward the bedroom. She couldn’t quite make out the words he muttered as she moved away, but it sounded something like it’s always the f*cking smile.
Daire finished yanking fresh jeans up after a superbly hot shower, his mind reeling. He’d prepared some scrambled eggs for Cee Cee, Felicity, for her to eat after she’d showered. His kitchen of dark granite countertops and stainless steel appliances was no longer in order, considering the kids had cooked an earlier breakfast. But he’d put it back together later. Right now, he had enough to deal with.
In his line of work, getting involved with a woman was complicated. Becoming friends with a female demon was intricate. But bedding the mother of the leader of the demon nation was f*cking crazy. Yet Daire didn’t see her as a mother or even as a demon. She was sweet, she was hot, and the sounds she made when he thrust inside her would haunt his dreams until he died.