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“You are better than this, Baltasar. You are a fucking Suarez. The Salah clan may have heroic political influence, but only the oldest two siblings can hold a weak candle to what the six of us can do with actual power. You are not just a piece of meat. You are here with a purpose—to marry Dahlia, help her bypass Zion to take the throne, and then absorb their house into ours.” My heart was galloping in my chest, but I nodded and stood my ground, knowing it was what he wanted to see. “Yeah, I know, but…” How the hell am I supposed to do all that? I’m only… The Dumb One.
I’d been enjoying the fresh entertainment. But there was also no need to be so openly rude to our new token villain. It’s like kicking a goddamn puppy, Dahlia. That was why Baltasar Suarez had been the object of my obsession ever since I’d first encountered him in person—when I was 21 and he was 18. While the rest of his siblings ranged from threatening to downright terrifying, Baltasar had a naiveté to him. An unexpected sweetness.
It was absolutely ridiculous for me to covet this villain as an oversized playmate for Daisy. And it was even more insane that I kind of wanted to keep him for myself as well. But here we were. What’s one more nail in my coffin, after all?
Zion didn’t seem bothered by the darkness at all. All this discovery did was piss me off more, as it was just one more thing he was better at than me. He could chase me down this tunnel like it was nothing. Why is that idea turning me on?! Now I was irrationally horny and big mad about it. Zion may have openly swung both ways, but I was definitely straight. Definitely, totally straight.
This was dangerous territory, because Baltasar needed to remain a means to an end. Stealing him from Dahlia—and aligning with the Suarez clan for myself—would assert my dominance within my family. But here he was buying us T-shirts out of the goodness of his weirdly soft villainous heart, while my beast soaked it up as if our mate were providing food and shelter. We really can’t have that.
I’d debated letting Baltasar in on what I knew. At the very least, it would add to his obvious dislike for my sister. The best-case scenario would be him immediately confessing his reciprocal feelings. He would agree to be my mate—Daisy’s ‘second daddy’—and join me in taking the throne in a scandal-soaked coup. A guy can dream.
Baltasar sharply inhaled and looked away. “That makes sense. I mean, because you’re… you must need that kind of thing. And she could make babies for you, so… I guess you were a good match.” He’s so fucking cute, I can’t stand it. “Are you jealous?” I teased, chuckling when he swiveled to glare at me. “I promise, I would gladly knock you up if I could.”
“What’s the matter, beautiful? Did you not enjoy seeing me with someone else?” When I peeked up at him and shook my head, his gaze darkened. Digging both hands into my hair, he yanked my head back painfully before looming over me. “Well, now you know how I’ve felt for the last 10 fucking years.”
“I just like how your supe form makes me feel…” Might as well go big with telling him how weird I am. Zion cocked his head as he removed the rest of his clothes—way more gracefully than I had. “And how do I make you feel, B?” Here we go. I blew out a slow breath. “Like… prey.”
He deposited a kiss so sweet and trusting I almost started confessing on the spot. “Don’t worry, beautiful. We’ll figure this out—together—and in the meantime, we’ll keep our enemies close, you know?” Ugh. I nodded stiffly before cuddling even closer, relaxing at least a little as he squeezed me tight. “Yes,” I whispered against his skin. “Together.” Even though I’m actually the enemy.
“That big lizard treats you well, right? I don’t want to have to fly there and kick his ass.” “Yes!” I exclaimed, feeling a weight lift from finally being able to talk about this entire beautiful mess. “No one’s ever treated me as well as he does. I’m listened to, and cared for, and he never makes me feel stupid.” I cleared my throat as tears pricked my eyelids. “And whenever I’m near him, there’s this pull in my chest—almost like I’m connected to him. It’s worse when he’s not around, though. Like, right now, my chest aches.” Xander was grinning wildly. “Is that a fact? You know, that sounds
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“How do I know I can trust you?” He took a step toward me, as if testing the waters, and I had to admire his bravery. “Because the idea of betraying you or Daisy makes me feel like I took a knife to my gut. And the thought of losing either of you makes me want to drown myself in your death pond.”
“Because that’s what you’d be doing. I’m already high key obsessed with you, B. If I sealed the deal with a mating bite? Fuck… I think I might actually kill you if you tried to leave me.” And I refuse to put you in danger. Even though making you mine is everything I’ve ever wanted.
“I told you because you deserve to know,” I quietly replied, letting him see everything that was in my heart. “And I also didn’t want you to think I was choosing them over you.” When his jaw dropped, I continued, ready to lay it all on the table for my former Deathball rival. “You need to understand, if I was forced to choose, I would choose you, Zion. Every fucking time.” “Jesus, Baltasar,” he huffed, his breath tickling my lips as he dropped his forehead against mine. “Just when I think I can’t fall in love with you more, you pull some smooth shit like this. Damn.”
“It’s just not very manly. Why can’t I smell like you do? Like Old Spice and testosterone had a baby that immediately roundhouse kicked the nearest person the second they were born.”
“Who the fuck are you getting married to?” Baltasar asked, his eyes flashing sexy reptilian as he scowled at me. This man must be protected at all costs. “You, B,” I softly replied, trying my damnedest not to smile. “I just hadn’t gotten around to asking you yet.”
“I’m glad you met her, Z. Not just because she gave you Daisy—although I’m obviously thankful for that—but because she took care of you until I was ready.” Well, shit.
I no longer thought of myself as nothing but a dumb jock. I’d discovered how capable I actually was—how I could be counted on when it mattered—and that I didn’t need to prove my worth to anyone. I’m good enough, just the way I am. I now understood I deserved the love of my birth family and my officially adopted daughter. And that I was worthy of the unwavering attention and undying devotion of one slightly possessive Godzilla. Good thing, because the obsession is mutual.
