“No need,” she replied. “I’m sure the Hawleys have been a fucking joy to deal with.”
Dain’s lips twitched and then spread into an uneven grin. “They have been…an experience I long to forget.” He bowed his head. “I will check in with General Damron to see where I am needed.”
As the wolven headed back upstairs, I turned to Malik. “Is there anything we need to know before we head in there?
“They’re going to piss you off.”
“Great.” Unlocking the heavy iron door, I yanked it open. Instantly, the overpowering smell of musk slammed into us.
What is that?Poppy asked through the link.
My lip curled at the thick scent that seemed to cling to the walls.Something you’ll probably not want to know about.
There was a pause.Is it…sex?
Dirty sex. And not the fun type.
“Ew,” Poppy murmured.
“Ewis an understatement,” Delano remarked from behind her.
The floors under my muddy boots were made of cold, slick, black marble. Crimson velvet drapes hung from the ceiling, fringed with gold thatglitteredunder the oversized chandelier, dripping with actual diamonds and rubies. But the limestone statues were a testament to what happened when one had more money than taste. Some of the sculptures had been depicted as eating. Others drank from a red chalice. At least two appeared to be having sex. All were nude and incredibly detailed.
“Who eats grapes like that while naked?” Poppy whispered, staring at a statue with grapes dangling above her open mouth.
“You don’t?” Malik drawled.
My head snapped in his direction, and a low, warning growl rumbled from my chest.
“Relax.” My brother chuckled. “It’s just an innocent question.”
“Perhaps it would’ve been if you hadn’t been groomed to wed my wife,” I snarled.
Poppy sighed.
Malik didn’t say anything, but the fucking smirk on his face said he found my response highly amusing. I wondered if he’d feel the same when I ripped his tongue out.
Sending him one last look of warning, I headed down the hall. The air got warmer. The drawing room was just as gaudy. Diamond-encrusted lampshades, gold-plated furniture with long-since-extinct animal prints, more naked statues, gilded—
“Why in the actual fuck are there so many mirrors?” Delano muttered.
“They enjoy looking at themselves,” Malik replied, his eyes narrowing on the hallway at the far end of the chamber where a sound like a dying cat echoed through the air.
Poppy stopped beside me, her lips pursed. “Well, now we know why they haven’t heard—”
My brows rose as a sigh so exaggerated it could’ve powered a mill for a year followed.
“Should we let them finish?” she asked.
I looked at her. “Why would we—?”
“Yes! Yes!” who I assumed was Lady Hawley screamed. “Fill me up!”
“Oh, my gods,” Poppy whispered, her cheeks flaming.
A groan, much like a large beast’s mating call, interrupted her.
“I think they’re finished.” Malik leaned against a granite fireplace. “Hopefully.”
