Riordan's Revenge (Body Count, #3)

by Jolie Vines

void inside me. The big guy caught her wrist as she passed and slowed her pacing. “Sit, Cassiopeia. Tell us what the fuck is going on.” She eyed him but dutifully dropped into a seat. Then she stared at her hands. The woman tried this time, her tone gentle. “Ye never mentioned a boyfriend. Is that what he is?” “He’s… It’s hard to explain.” “Is he a member of Arran’s crew?” she pressed. At Cassie’s tiny nod, the man swore then abruptly left the room. Cassie watched him go. “He isn’t my boyfriend, not exactly, but he is mine.” Hers? My heart thumped out of time. “You’re going to have to walk me through that,” the woman said. Cassie sighed. “He has green eyes.” “Do we think that’s a good enough reason to kidnap someone?” Crumpling down in the chair, Cassie ground her fists into her cheekbones. “Fine, no, it isn’t. But I also knew he was mine from the first time I saw him. Isn’t that how ye felt with Da?”

The door clicked, and her father returned with a roll of silver tape in his hands. He knelt beside me and tugged my hands free then drew out a length of tape with a rush of tearing adhesive. Cassie’s eyes widened. “Is that necessary?” Her father gave a gruff, “Aye, it is.” Her mother raised a hand. “I just want to get a few things straightened out. This man, Riordan, is that right? You’re calling him yours. Does he share the sentiment?” No, I fucking didn’t. Cassie gave a sorrowful shake of her head. “And he’s unconscious because?” “I knocked him out a little bit.” Her mother took a steadying breath. “I see. Do ye understand he might be upset when he wakes?”

“I know what you’re saying. But I also want ye to think back on how ye began. Or Camden and Breeze. He bought her in an auction. None of ye had conventional starts to your relationships. I took him because I wanted him but also because it was necessary. I’ll make it good. Riordan is mine. Whether he knows it yet or not.”

“Cassie, are ye listening?” I blinked and focused on Lottie’s concerned face. Then I hung my head. “No. Sorry. I was away with the fairies.” Patient indulgence tugged at her lips. She dusted her fingers on her cute floral apron and joined me at the tall stools on the breakfast island. She claimed my hands in hers. “Repeat after me. We do not kidnap people we like.” I rolled my eyes but dutifully repeated the words. Lottie inclined her head. “The best way to share our feelings is to talk about them.” Again, I copied her. “Good. Now let’s combine those.” I tried it out. “Kidnapping is the best way to show a man you love him.” Her mouth fell open. I grinned at the reaction, nothing so fun as shocking my family. Behind me, someone cleared their throat. Oh fuck.

“My only kink is you.”