When He's Torn (The Olympus Pride, #5)

by Suzanne Wright

“No, stop being difficult.” “I can’t. Your frustration warms the coldest parts of my soul.”

“He’s been trying to call you. Where’s your cell?” “In a bag of rice on my kitchen counter,” replied Bailey. “You dropped it in water again?”

I don’t kill those who wrong me. It’s more entertaining to break their mind.”

“He splashed me with holy water to, and I quote, ‘see what happened.’ He claimed to be disappointed when I didn’t burst into flames.”

“Come on, Bailey, really?” Pausing scribbling on the sheet of paper tacked to the office corkboard, Bailey looked at the grizzly shifter who was stalking into the room. “What?” Corbin gave her an incredulous look. “You’re actually signing the petition to have you fired?” “I’m feeling left out.”

“I don’t know what to say except ‘wow.’” Frowning, Bailey bit into her muffin again. “Then why didn’t you just say ‘wow’ and nothing else?” Aspen pulled a face. “Do you have to be annoying all the time?” “It brings me joy,” said Bailey. “Don’t you want me to be happy?” “No, not really.”

“But why invite him?” asked Bailey. Havana smiled. “I want to watch you two together.” “Like, in bed?” “What? No, you freak.” Havana tossed the napkin at her. “I want to see how your interactions go now that you’ve touched each other’s no-no places.”

She perched herself on the sofa and then set the laptop on her lap. A tap of the space bar took the computer off its standby mode, and the blank screen was then quickly replaced by a very familiar NetherVille profile. She quickly scanned it and then looked up at Deke, who was still staring at her. “This isn’t you.” His brow pinched. “How do you know?” “You don’t have that many friends.” Tate barked a shocked laugh that cracked his serious expression. Deke shot him the world’s worst glower.

“There’s no D in refrigerator. So why the hell is there a D in fridge? It’s not like it would otherwise have been pronounced differently, is it?”

There was a loud twang followed by a “Shit, sorry.” Seeing that one of the guys working out had lost control of a resistance band and sent it sailing through the air toward another of the rec center’s regulars, Bailey winced. “I did that to a guy once.” “You did it on purpose,” said Havana, her eyes dancing. “I was just testing Randy’s balance.” The band had wacked his head, knocked his equilibrium, and caused him to trip on the treadmill. He’d gone ass over tit.

“Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” “That I should have carved a dick onto Ginny’s forehead?”

“Don’t be fooled by Bailey’s exterior. She’s the reincarnation of Rasputin.”

One corner of Corbin’s mouth very briefly hiked up as he regarded Bailey carefully. “I’m proud of you for not leaping at her just now.” Bailey shrugged. “She was braced for that. It’s no fun when people are braced for it.” He gave her a flat look. “Ruin my illusions that you’re maturing, why don’t you.”

Using another way to handle the situation, Deke tossed out, “She wants me to move to Australia.” Livy’s back went ramrod straight. “If you say you’re going, I will beat you with a pot.” He fought a grin, lowering his cutlery to his now empty plate. “That’s not an incentive for me to stay.”

Perhaps sensing the weight of his attention, she looked his way. He didn’t drop his gaze, just kept on staring. She raised a questioning brow. He answered her with a slight shrug of one shoulder. A slow smile crept on her face. “Every time we do this staring thing, I feel our connection growing.” He glowered. “Don’t make me drug your drink with holy water—I’m pretty sure it would kill you.” “Nah, I’ve built up a tolerance to it.

“You secretly adore me. Admit it. You’ve wondered if we’re meant to be.” “I’ve wondered if you’re an omen that the Day of Judgement is almost upon us.”

“Did you get rid of the snakes?” Walking on ahead of him, she paused as she glanced over her shoulder. “Well … you took yours with you when you left my place days ago, and Clive—” “Jesus, forget it.”

His lips flattened. “So, basically, you’re just testing in every way a person could be testing?” “That’s pretty much how it goes, yes.” She nudged his upper arm with her elbow, giving him a taunting smile. “But you want to fuck me anyway.” “I will fuck you anyway. Again.” “Then I’ll see you at ten.” His eyelid twitched. “Eight.” “Dude, are you sure you didn’t say ten?” He growled. “Do you want me to throw something at you?” “Not particularly.” “Then don’t push me.” “Fine. Whatever. See you at nine.” “Bailey, I swear …”

“I don’t think I’m superior to you. I just think you’ve been sent here to do the devil’s work, and it bothers me that you’re not fighting your fate.”

She let out an amused snicker. “Dude, you so think you’re better than me.” “If you really believe that, why the hell are you in my bed right now?” “Well, with your cock comes you—I have no way to change that.” He felt his frown deepen. “You’re saying you tolerate me in order to have access to my dick?” “Basically, yeah.”

“You drive me nuts. Make me honestly visualize cutting off your air supply with my own two hands. But I don’t look down on you.”

“God, would you just put us out of our misery?” “What, like, shoot you behind a shed?” Aspen fisted her hands. “Tell us what you’re hiding.” “A body.” Aspen threw up her arms. “I can’t with you.”

Shay snorted. “The only thing you were hiding was that you have the hots for Deke, but I see all.” All smirky and shit, he nudged her. “Why haven’t you jumped him yet?” “I don’t like to ambush and rob people.” Havana threw up a hand. “First of all, that’s a lie. Second of all, it’s not what he meant, and you know it.” Bailey bristled. “Excuse me, I’m no thief.” “You stole my wristwatch,” said Shay, still smiling. “No, you gave it to me,” Bailey insisted. “You called it a parting gift.” His brow knitted, but his smile didn’t fade. “Why would I give you my watch for any reason?” “So I can always know the time obviously.”

Dude, you’re so damn ethical. Don’t you find it exhausting? He frowned. No. Huh. Weird. Feeling his jaw tighten, he typed: No, Bailey, it’s not. Most people have ethics. I pity every one of you.

She sighed. “I don’t know why people cling to grudges.” Deke did a slow blink. “You cling to grudges.” Tighter than anyone he knew.

“Hello, Mr. Pot. I’m Black Kettle. Nice to meet you.”

Shoving an arm into the sleeve of her sweater, Bailey grinned at her. “You love me really.” “In a manner of speaking,” said Aspen. “But when Z-Day arrives—” “Oh, Lord,” muttered his mamba. “—you’ll be the first person I eat when the food runs out.” “And then you’ll carry a piece of me always, wherever you go. How sweet.” “How fucked up,” Deke corrected. “Now come sit down.” Bailey held up a finger. “One sec.” She hurried into the hallway. Moments later, there was an almighty roar followed by terrified squeals. “Bailey!” Havana yelled. “Fear builds character,” said his mate.

Three males materialized, none of whom were pride members. Or cats. Or sane. Alex’s uncles.