Page 34 of Primal
“Are you sure?”
“Positive. We’ll catch up more, I promise,” I say before we say our goodbyes and hang up.
I reach for my rain jacket and boots then head toward the two madmen getting drenched.
Chapter 19
Merrick
“It’s raining,” Fiora says, “so you idiots can stand out here and get soaked, or you can come inside.”
Soren and I exchange a glance before we follow her into the warmth of her cozy cottage. The interior is rather quaint, with an attractive, rustic charm to it. Fiora disappears into the kitchen, returning moments later with a pair of towels, which she tosses at us without a word. We take them gratefully.
“So why does Braken have so much control over you? You both have literally stalked my every move. Don’t you have lives?” she asks.
Soren is the first to break the silence. With a half-hearted smirk, he wipes his drenched hair with the towel, his gaze never leaving Fiora. “You don’t see either one of us complaining. Maybe we like stalking your every move.”
Fiora crosses her arms over her chest, leaning against the door frame as she considers Soren’s words. The kitchen light casts a soft glow around her, sending shadows dancing across her face. Her expression is guarded yet curious, a strange mixture that intrigues me.
“I can’t tell if you’re flirting or not,” she says. “You do know I’m engaged to marry your buddy, right?”
“He shares,” I answer with a shrug.
Soren snorts at my comment, shaking his head as he continues drying himself. His eyes flicker to mine, a silent understanding passing between us. Fiora’s eyebrows furrow at my words, her gaze narrowing on me.
“Shares?” Her voice is incredulous. “Do you really expect me to believe that Braken is okay with sharing his fiancée?”
I chuckle at the genuine shock written all over her face. She’s so delightfully innocent in her outrage, it only makes me want to tease her even more.
“Well, we do have an... unconventional relationship,” Soren says lightly. “Besides, I thought you didn’t want this marriage?”
Fiora opens her mouth to respond but hesitates, as if considering her next words carefully. Her gaze drifts between the both of us before she sighs in resignation and turns away.
“I don’t,” she concedes, sounding weary, “but that doesn’t mean I want to be caught up in your twisted games either.”
The room falls into silence for a moment before Soren chuckles softly, breaking the tension.
“Well,” he says nonchalantly, “I guess we’ll just have to convince you otherwise then.”
Fiora doesn’t respond, but the slight blush creeping onto her cheeks tells me that maybe, just maybe, she’s intrigued, despite herself. As she leaves the room with a dismissive wave over her shoulder, I share a knowing look with Soren.
This isn’t going to be as straightforward as Braken led us to believe. In fact, this could be the most challenging job we’ve ever had—as simple as it seems on the surface. Something about Fiora captivates us, something more than just her fiery rebellion and her refusal to fit into the roles our society imposes on her. She’s alluringly stubborn and fiercely independent, qualities that are simultaneously both refreshing and challenging.
“Maybe we should just leave her for Braken. Maybe stick to monogamy for those two?” I say as the sounds of Fiora’s movements echo from the other room.
He shrugs, leaning against a wooden beam, the corner of his mouth curling up in a smirk. “And what? Ruin our fun? I think not.”
I roll my eyes at him. He has always been the more reckless one, but I can’t really disagree with him. This is different, exciting even. After all the casual sexual encounters we’ve had, a little something with more flavor like Fiora might be exactly what we need.
“We can’t afford to get distracted and forget why we’re here, Soren. We have to keep her safe. Braken would have our heads if we let anything happen to her,” I offer to counter his cavalier attitude.
Soren waves me off, settling comfortably into one of Fiora’s plush armchairs.
“It’s just a babysitting job. We could do this in our sleep,” he murmurs, confidence coloring his tone. “And, besides, do you really think I’m going to lose focus?” He raises an eyebrow at me, a playful glint in his eyes suggesting just the opposite. “I’m extremely focused when I play.”
“Ha-ha,” I say, with a roll of the eyes.
“It’s your turn for patrol tonight. Do you want me to stay?” Soren breaks into my thoughts. His question is quiet but certain, his gaze still on Fiora who’s now bustling around, tidying up before bed. “I don’t mind, but I was thinking I’d go check in on The Vault. We’ve been neglecting our business lately. And Locke and Storee just got back from their getaway, so I know Locke is busy with his other business dealings.”