“Thank you,” she finally says, her voice sounding stronger. She’s fucking thanking me. Now I feel like a bigger bastard.
Instead of saying anything, I start tracing lazy circles on her back as she slowly grows more relaxed in my arms. But just as she’s about to fall asleep, someone bangs on my door, and she stiffens so tight that I’m worried she’s going to break.
“Christ, baby. Nothing is going to happen to you with me right here,” I say softly, holding her a little tighter. She buries her head against my chest, and I pull the sheet up over her bare body, covering it from view before snarling at the door. “What?”
Eve jumps in my arms, and I inwardly curse. Just raising my own voice has scared her. Fuck.
“Coming in,” Pop says, and my eyes widen. I don’t want him seeing Eve.
Like a kid hiding a girl in my bed, I cover her up completely, blocking her from view. I don’t think he’d try to do something as stupid as deciding I suddenly don’t get to keep her. And I can’t believe that I’m considering kicking his ass if he tries.
The door opens as I sit up, leaving Eve under the sheet. I’d leave the bed completely if she wasn’t clinging to me so tightly.
Pop walks in, along with Sledge. Fucking great. But what has the hairs on my neck standing up is the fact that Rush walks in behind them.
The punk’s eyes dance with malice, and I swear I want to take out my murderous rage for Jessie out on him just because of that damn look.
“The fuck is this about?” I ask while also pulling the comforter up, shielding the outline of Eve’s body from sight better with all the fluff.
Rush’s eyes follow the movement, and a smirk appears on his lips. I really, really want to fucking hit him. But Eve is still clinging to me.
“Heard the details about what Jessie did,” Pop says with a tight expression. His eyes move to the comforter, as though he’s trying to see what I’m hiding.
“And?” I snap. It’s not my usual tone with him, and he startles because of it. Then his eyes narrow as though he’s about to lay into me.
“And I came to see if she’s alright. She’s Death Dealer property—”
“She’s mine,” I quickly remind him, daring him to say otherwise.
This feels like a barbaric dispute over actual property right now. It’s ridiculous, but it is what it is. Eve walked into this knowingly. And despite the mess it has become, the end result is final: she’s mine.
Her hands tighten on me, as though she’s suddenly scared. She doesn’t have to be. Pop knows better than to push me when I’m already pissed off.
“Fine. She’s yours,” he amends, his eyes narrowing on me again. “But she’s still part of us. Which means no one touches her without consent. That’s not how we treat our own. I’ll see to it that this is never again an issue.”
This isn’t the conversation I was expecting, but I’m thankful. I still don’t want him seeing her though. Hell no. He’ll see what he gave up, and he might change his fucking mind. He’s president. She’s not marked. But shit’s about to change.
“I’m calling Drake tomorrow.”
Pop’s eyebrows go up after hearing my words, and he frowns.
“Drake isn’t your favorite person. You seriously gonna let him mark your girl up? He might do something just to piss you off.”
Eve trembles against me, but doesn’t dare to make a sound.
“He’s not that stupid. Eve is still upset, and you all being in my room isn’t helping out. We can talk about this later.”
Before Pop can speak, Rush beats him to it, the smug tone ringing clearly. “Heard it was hard to speak to you without her. Considering you two are always locked up together.”
Sledge growls something to him as Pop talks over him, drowning out the words. “Drex has completed a big deal and set up many more. It’s fine if he’s fucking his old lady on the side.”
So it’s official. She’s mine on the serious level. That’s a good thing for them to think, because it makes her family.
“Let’s see this girl so I can personally apologize. I’d rather not speak to a lump of blankets,” Pop says, and I stiffen again.
Rush turns his attention to me, ignoring his father and mine. Eve shifts, growing rigid against my side. Shit.
“Fine.” My lips tighten as I pull the covers back just a little.
Eve pops up quickly, but holds the covers against her chest as she leans into me. Her hair is a mess, hiding most of her face, but I see Pop’s eyes widen as though he just realized how fucking perfect she is.
Rush’s lips curl in a smile that I want to punch off his face. Sledge crosses his arms over his chest, unaffected. He’s seen her numerous times. Hell, he’s been at the table while I fucked her.