And damn the consequences!
“Think you’ll get a piece of me,” I yelled, “you fucking delusional dipshit?”
A muscle twitched angrily in his jaw. The Demigod of Sea still had a hard time reining in his anger. I bet in his long existence, I’ve been the only one who kept cursing him and lived.
Too bad for him that he’d failed to get his pawn to take me out.
Let me be the bane of his existence and the thorn he was unable to pluck from his sour side.
Esme widened her pale green eyes. She might’ve heard of my reputation, but she’d never seen how I butted heads with one of the demigods.
Paxton growled, and I snarled, louder than him, ready to battle him again.
Marie shifted her feet nervously, moving closer to the door as if ready to flee. No one wanted to be a casualty in the war between the sea demigod and me. They’d all learned.
Héctor moved like a flash and placed himself between Paxton and me.
Zak and Axel shot to their feet, too, cursing and ready to charge Paxton.
“Don’t. Think. About. It.” Héctor told Paxton, death fire twirling in his eyes as they bored into my enemy. “I’m Marigold’s shield. I’m her forever armor. I don’t care if you’re my cousin. I don’t give a fuck that you were once my ally. Touch my lamb again, and I’ll tear you to pieces.”
I didn’t need to fight alone anymore. At the realization, warmth swelled in my chest. I stepped forward to stand beside Héctor and wrapped an arm around his waist to show that I appreciated his unconditional support and loyalty.
My other hand twitched, sparks of fire igniting at my fingertips.
“Marigold,” Marie warned from behind me. “You can’t touch his skin.”
I knew how much courage it took just for her to throw that warning at me.
“He’s fine,” I assured. “I’m fine.”
“You don’t understand, Mari—” Marie cried.
Pleased with my gesture, Héctor pulled me closer to his side and traced my cheek with his knuckles.
My skin tingled, and my toes curled. I parted my lips, wanting more of him, and Héctor traced my bottom lip with his thumb.
“Later, lamb,” he said, a satisfied smile ghosting his lips. “We have time.”
Sadly, he was right; this wasn’t the time for a hot, indulgent kiss.
Marie’s eyeballs nearly dropped out, and Esme studied me intently.
“Héctor,” I whispered.
“Yes, lamb?” He lowered his head so I could whisper in his ear.
I rose up on tiptoe and put my lips near his ear, and he shivered in pleasure.
“Don’t call me lamb again in public,” I said. “If others hear that endearment, they’ll think I’m a helpless kind of girl. They might even try to victimize me.”
“Nobody would dare,” he said, straightening and shooting Paxton a warning look.
Paxton glared back with ice cold rage.
Axel reached me in a flash, lifted me up, and placed me in the space between him and Zak on the large, white sofa.
Zak immediately had my hand in his. “No one will touch you, Rosebud.”