He arches a brow as he cocks his head. “You sure about that?”
“Trust me,” I growl, leaning closer.
“You seem keen on assuming some things about me because of my upbringing. But at the end of the day, we’re in this order together. Brethren. Isn’t that what we are to each other now?”
“We can work together and do our jobs. That doesn’t mean we’remates.Is that understood?”
Alexander smirks, and the sight makes me supremely uncomfortable in ways I don’t dare acknowledge.
“You see them?” he asks, nudging his jaw in the direction of the Lords. Alaric, Theo, Gideon, and Sterling are all standing on the opposite side of the gym, against the wall, and Harlow is wrapped in Theo’s arms. She reaches her left hand out, and Alaric takes it in his hand. “Alaric is wearing four wedding bands–”
“Why are you telling me this? I didn’t apply to be a Lord so that I could be a part of some polyamorous fuck ring. I applied to be a Lord so that I could make the world a better place. Don’t get me wrong; I have nothing against polyamory. It’s just not my thing.”
Alexander frowns. “Is that the only reason you joined? Because I don’t believe for a second that you want to make the world a better place, Lachlan Weir.”
Don’t I?
I joined the order to rid the world of the kinds of people who kill innocents every day.
The kinds of people who kill people likeAbby.
He pushes off my treadmill, and I get a whiff of cinnamon and sweat. I stare at his bare back as he walks away–as he plops down next to Astern. She smiles when he offers to help her stretch, and my semi from earlier gets harder when I watch them interact.
No.
I didn’t come here to fuck.
I didn’t come here to fantasize about watching two other people fucking.
I came here to forgetherface.
The last time I got romantically involved with someone, they fuckingdied.
I hop off the treadmill and stalk to the exit. I know training isn’t done, but I don’t want to sit around and wait for one of the other Lords to lecture me again.
I came here to make friends–to form a union with other people–notto fuck around–and I hate that I feel so unsettled around every single one of them.
CHAPTER 16
Astern
After we all finish training, we’re instructed to go back to the manor to change. Having never been initiated into a criminal order before, I have no idea what to wear. When I’m done drying my hair and putting on makeup, I settle on a simple black dress. It’s formfitting but not skintight, and it comes down to my knees. The straps are thick, and the neckline is square. I grab a dark red cardigan and slip into my black Converse before walking downstairs to meet up with everyone else.
Otto and Max are the only two ready, and they’re sitting on the couch while they wait for everyone else.
God, they look good.
Otto is in a classic white Oxford shirt, black trousers, and his white-blond hair is slicked back with a bit of product. He looks handsome and lethal.
Max is wearing tan trousers and a dark blue shirt. The sleeves are rolled up, and the first two buttons near his collar are unbuttoned. His thick, black glasses frame his beautiful face, and his wavy blond hair is secured in a neat bun.
They both turn to look at me when I walk into the reception room, and Otto gives me a lopsided smile that makes my heart stutter a bit.
“I’m not particularly excited to get branded like cattle,” Otto starts, his voice low. “But if it means you wear dresses likethat,” he adds, whistling.
I smile. “It’s an old dress.”
“Don’t be modest, darling,” Max offers, walking over to me. “You are beautiful.”
