“I’m making sure a rune is slapped onto you this time so you can stay with the angels. Another so I don’t lose track of you.”
“I’m not becoming a fucking angel, Merrick.”
“Oh, Father, no. No one is ascending an Orion to angelhood any time soon. You have nothing to worry about, baby.”
Why does that feel like an insult? “Get out, Merrick. Just get out. I’ll never forgive you for what you did.”
“Yes, you will. There’s nothing in the world you love more than enemies to lovers trope.”
“I just married my enemies to lovers trope.”
“Him, your enemy? You were childhood rivals at best. It doesn’t count. I left you when you were down. That’s much worse and qualifies. Though I haven’t killed one of your brothers yet. That would really seal the deal.”
“Not your best sales pitch.”
He shrugs. “Think what you want. You’re coming with me whether you like it or not.”
Merrick steps forward, Zhang steps in front of me.
“You’re not going to argue with an angel of the realm, are you, Zhang? Those kinds of stars don’t become angels.”
Zhang’s wanted to become an angel since I’ve known him. Fuck. I don’t want to mess that up for him too. He hesitates, but he remains where is, shuffling me further behind him. “That’s up to the Gods to decide and last I checked, you were not a God.”
When Merrick’s hand lifts, ready to blast Zhang with angel power, I step between them. He won’t hurt me … I think. “Merrick, I’m not going with you. Deal. Babe, your overt display of caveman possessiveness is hot. Keep that shit up.”
To be honest, so is their fighting over me, but I think it’s best to leave that unsaid.
Merrick’s growl is familiar. His patience is waning. “You are not a human, Treyu. You don’t subscribe to their way of things. All you care about is that I fuck you right and own the fuck out of you. You can’t have forgotten that in one hundred years.”
A shiver races through me. He’s right. I haven’t forgotten. I do like to be owned. But, well, Zhang isn’t half bad at it. He has his moments.
“Tell me you’re in love with him, and I’ll leave you alone forever,” Merrick says.
Godsdammit. Even a non-answer to that is still an answer. “Our relationship is our business. In any case, I don’t love you, Merrick. Leave.”
“Got my answer, darling. I’m not leaving this realm without you, but I’ll give you the chance to obey me as you should. I expect you at the gate in three days. If not, I will punish you in the most ghastly way I can think of. Either way, you’re coming with me.” The cut of his eyes is sharp and there’s danger laced into every syllable.
I hate that it turns me on.
He clicks his boots with purpose against the stone floor, smiling like a fresh Earthian spring day and pats Zhang—who’s still holding a tray of coffee—on the shoulder on the way by. Merrick leaves, but his dark and lust-filled energy remains, invading the space like poison ivy.
Zhang sets the tray of coffee on the table. “Did you get that for me? Aren’t I supposed to be serving you?”
“It’s for you.”
He’s all quiet and stiff. I don’t like it. “I’m sorry about that. You’re right. I’m a damn drama magnet. If it’s not someone trying to kill me, it’s someone trying to abduct and fuck me.”
“He’s not your fault, Trey, but he is our problem. I’m your husband. I’ll take care of it.”
I huff and run a hand through my hair. I know what the rules are on this kind of thing, but I’m not used to them yet. Not that I was ever any good at solving my own problems anyway, but handing this over completely isn’t in my wheelhouse … yet.
At the same time, having myhusbandtake care of the things I don’t want to do sounds pretty damn amazing to me. I haven’t a clue as to how to get rid of Merrick other than to fall again, and I don’t think I can this time. I may not be madly in love with Zhang, but I think I’m fucking happy for the first time in a long time.
“I’m still sorry that I create problems for you. If not for me, your life would be drama free.”
Finally, he animates to full Zhang and gathers me into his arms. “Life would be dull without you, babe.” He kisses my lips and pushes his jacket from my shoulders. He lifts me bridal style and carries me to the bed. “You liked my alpha male display.”
I nod. “A lot. Seriously, one of my fave tropes ever.”
