I shrugged sheepishly. “I can’t control what my brain does.”
“Try,” he rubbed my shoulders and pressed a kiss to my forehead. “There is plenty of time to worry later. Just enjoy tonight.”
I nodded, trying my best to do what Rayne asked.
Rayne stiffened next to me, and I glanced over at him, his red hair falling over his eyes as he tilted his head to the side listening for something I couldn’t hear even with my better than human hearing.
Leaning over to him, I touched his arm. “What is it?”
He frowned and shook his head before sighing. “Sounds like our guest is back and giving Gretchen a hard time.”
I scowled and glared up at the ceiling.
Fucking Morpheus.
“Why haven’t we given him over to the council?” I mused aloud, my fingers itching to get around the narcissistic vampire’s throat. If it was up to me, he’d be pinned to the wall as target practice for the next century. If he couldn’t keep his fangs in his mouth, then he didn’t deserve to have them, especially since he was happy to let Allister take the blame.
“Piper,” Antoine said my name in that tone that told me he didn’t approve of what I said even if he did agree. “As enjoyable as seeing Morpheus squirm would be, we still need him. The council still believes Allister is guilty, remember.”
I shot a grin at Allister. “I’m sure Allister wouldn’t mind taking one for the team to put Morpheus through his paces.”
Allister snorted, tossing his cards down on the bed. “As fun as that sounds, I’d like to keep my head and heart where they are. Thank you very much. However...” he sniffed and smirked. “I’m not opposed to maiming him...just a little.” He pinched his thumb and pointer finger together.
“See,” I jerked a hand in Allister’s direction. “He gets me.” I turned around on the couch, leaning over the back to plead with Antoine, jerking my foot from Darren.
“Piper,” Darren scowled at me. “You’re going to mess up all my hard work.”
Ignoring him, I focused on Antoine. “Come on, just a little slice and dice. I promise I won’t do any lasting damage...” then added with a mutter, “Not any that would matter anyway.”
Antoine swiveled around in his desk chair, crossing one leg over the other. His silvery hair was loose around his shoulders the way I liked. He still wore the remnants of his suit from the day, his jacket and tie missing, and his sleeves rolled up. Just looking at him warmed my body. Especially when he looked at me like that. “As positively delightful as that sounds, I cannot in good faith allow you to do it. We need him on our side...for now.”
Shoving my libido down, I pouted and crossed my arms. Spinning around on the couch, I slouched down into the cushions. “Party pooper.”
“Ugh,” Rayne groaned and grasped his forehead. “Someone better get up there and deal with him before Gretchen skewers him.”
“I’ll do it!” I jumped up, almost running Darren over in the process of getting to the stairs.
“Piper, your nails!” Darren growled, not at all bothered that I’d trampled him.
“It’s fine.” I waved him off. “See, they’re already dry.” I pointed a toe and then stuck my tongue out at him as I darted up the stairs.
Oh goodie, I get to beat up Morpheus after all. This night couldn’t get any better.