The Ties that Bind (The Forever series, Book Five) (34 page)

“Doesn’t matter? It doesn’t matter to you if I fuck another
woman?” he throws at me as he climbs out of the pool.

What the hell? Where is this anger coming from?

“Constantine,” I say to him as I follow him out of the pool.

He rounds on me. “Liv,” he sneers at me and I flinch, “I am
trying to do right by you. To show you that I love you and I am committed to
you and you just throw it back in my face by suggesting I am cheating on you.”

Cheating on me? What?

“That is an odd thing to say,” I say, studying him closely.
“Cheating. That isn’t a word that we use,” I say slowly.

“Well maybe we should start,” he says and walks away from me
in a huff.

I watch him go with an incredulous look and I just stand
there as he disappears up the stairs.

Well, fuck me. I have clearly hit a nerve there, but on
what? Ever one to poke the ancient Vampire, I follow him and make my way
quickly up the stairs. I pause as I hear Sebastian ask from what I assume is
his bedroom, “What the hell was that?” I slink back far out of the sensing zone
and use my other abilities to listen.

“Guilt?” he asks in disbelief. “You feel guilt?”

Guilt? About what? I am more than piqued now.

“I don’t want to talk about it,” CK growls at him.

“Christ. You do, don’t you? You feel guilty about the other
day!”

What happened the other day?

“Shut the fuck up before I make you.”

Sebastian laughs. “Well now I have seen just about
everything,” he hoots. “You shouldn’t give her that much power. Not with the
way she carries on.”

My mouth drops open but then I close it with a grimace.
There is only me here, I shouldn’t act shocked.

“Watch what you say about her,” CK snaps at him. “I won’t
have you bad-mouthing her. She does nothing wrong.”

I preen at my sire’s defense of me.

“Not bad-mouthing her, Christ knows I want in on that
action. Just saying…” he says warily as I have no doubt CK went for him over
that comment. “However… this is clearly an unusual situation. The other day was
nothing compared.”

“To you maybe,” CK says sadly.

What the fuck happened the other day? Did he fuck someone? I
could stand here all day listening to these two fools talking in code and still
gain no more information so I sidle forward slowly, giving them plenty of time
notice as to my presence. As expected they both know I am there as I reach the
doorway and they stop talking.

“What happened the other day?” I ask.

“Nothing to do with you,” Sebastian says genially. “This is
a private conversation. Go back to your husband.”

I blink at him. “Who?” I ask in confusion and then have both
sets of eyes land on me in interest. “What?” I ask. I shake my head to clear
it. I feel all fuzzy. Do I need to feed again? I suppose I must do. Perhaps I
should try the Vampire Way this time.

“Aefre?” CK asks me with a tone I can’t quite place.

“What?” I ask again focusing on him.

“Go back to your husband,” he repeats.

I frown at him. “Why do you keep saying that?” is the last
thing I remember saying before I hit the deck.

I come to on Sebastian’s bed, with the two of them peering
worriedly at me. I sit upright, causing them both to back away quickly. “Are
you okay?” Sebastian asks.

“Fine,” I snap. “I guess I forgot to feed… again.”

“Even after your dramatic speech?” CK sighs at me.

“Yes, okay. I am that much of a flake. Happy?”

“Very. Here.” He hands me a glass of blood and I take it
with a grateful look and his eyes soften and he smiles at me. I guzzle it
noisily and very unladylike but who cares? Not me. My headache eases and I hand
the glass back to CK. “What happened?”

“You passed out,” Sebastian says helpfully. Not.

“Well that much is obvious. What were we talking about?” I
rack my brains but come up with nothing.

They exchange a glance. “You don’t remember?” CK asks.

“No.”

“What’s the last thing you remember?” he asks.

“I was asking you about something that happened the other
day? I think. I’m not sure…” I trail off and chew my lip. They are both staring
at me like I have grown another head. Right, I guess I must have dreamt that
part. They exchange another look as they see my uncertainty and CK says to me,
“We should get you back to
your husband
.”

“Yes, please. Take me to Cole.” They exchange another look.
“What?” I ask in exasperation.

“Nothing.” CK takes my hand and Teleports me straight to
Cole who jumps a mile when we land on the bed next to him, “Fuck sake’s!” he
yells. His eyes take in my swimsuit and then CK’s and his mouth hardens into a
line. “I thought you were going to speak to Jess?”

“I did. I decided to take a swim before I came home.”

“What is wrong with our pool?”

“Nothing whatsoever. I like CK’s pool room. It’s peaceful.”

“Humph.”

“Your wife had a turn,” CK says. “She isn’t feeling well.
Make sure she feeds, please,” he says and stands and I grab his hand. “Wait.
What you said before. We need to talk about it,” I say.

“What did I say?” he asks.

I cast a glance at Cole. “About the glass house,” I say.

“There is nothing more to be said,” he responds and
Teleports out--his “in person” version of hanging up on me.

“Rah!” I yell and throw a cushion at the space he used to
occupy. I flop back to the bed and Cole just stares at me.

“What?” I snap.

He shrugs, “What yourself?”

“Don’t know. I passed out. It’s no biggie,” I dismiss it.

He is concerned now, “You passed out?”

“I think I just need to feed. And maybe a little nap.” I
yawn and close my eyes.

I see CK grab Sebastian by the arm, “What exactly are you
telling her?”

“Does it matter? It is clearly working.”

“What are you telling her?” he asks again.

Sebastian gets into a huff now, “I am not telling her
anything. I am suggesting she make some changes. That is all. I cannot tell her
to do anything.”

“What changes?” CK asks through gritted teeth.

“What we agreed on,” Sebastian says.

“Something is not right,” CK says. “Why is she feeling
confused and passing out?”

“Because I am interfering with her thoughts, that’s why.
There is a reason this gift is so dangerous,” he says loftily.

“Christ, I never thought I would hear you admit that,” CK
says, running his hand through his hair. “I have been telling you that for 2760
years.”

“Yes, well, I do know. It just never concerned me
before.”

“You are concerned?” CK frowns at him.

He shrugs, “It is a big project. This isn’t just about a
quick suggestion for a roll in the hay. You are asking me to change her
perceptions.”

“Stop, then,” CK says rubbing his face with his hands. “I
won’t have her harmed.”

“But it’s working. Why stop now?”

“It’s hurting her.”

“A few dizzy spells is hardly life threatening,”
Sebastian scoffs.

“It could be if she is a dangerous situation,” CK
insists.

“Well, I’m not stopping now,” Sebastian says.

CK stares at him, “You won’t stop because you want to
fuck her. Because I have given you permission to be with her in exchange for
your services.”

“Maybe part of the reason. Most of the reason is because
I want to do it because it will make you happy to have her,” he says softly. “I
will do anything to make you happy.”

CK sighs. “Fine,” he says, resigned. “Just go a bit
easier on her.”

“I am. If I were going hard on her you would know about
it.”

“Even easier than. I don’t care if it takes months. It is
better than waiting a thousand years for him to leave her.”

“A thousand years? I am sure he will be gone long before
then,” Sebastian chortles.

“I’m not so sure,” he mutters. “I have this feeling that
he will stay even if he wants to leave just so I can’t have her.”

“He doesn’t strike me as the type to cut his nose off to
spite his face.”

“Just go easier on her. Leave it longer in between.”

“As you wish,” Sebastian bows to him with a flourish and
CK pulls a face at him.

I wake up suddenly and look around me. Where am I? Oh, in my
bed. I had the weirdest sensation that I was in Sebastian’s bed. “Feel a bit
better?” Cole asks.

I turn to him, “Yes, much. Crap, baby. I need to start
getting this under control.”

“Yes you do. Here.” He hands me a glass of blood and I
accept it with thanks.

“So, are you going to fill me in on the glass house?” he
asks casually.

“Glass house? Oh, with CK. He is an arse,” I mutter.

“Well not arguing with that. What did he say?”

“Do you really want to know?” I ask him.

He pauses, “Probably not, but I don’t want secrets either.”

“I asked him why he is still wearing the ring I gave him on
his left ring finger.” Cole flinches but stays silent, letting me continue, “He
said he likes the statement it makes. That he is off the market, so I joked did
he have people who want him on the market and he said yes. I asked who and he
wouldn’t tell me and I said was it because he is worried I will go and kick
their arses. Then he made the comment about glass houses.”

“Oh,” Cole says flatly. “You don’t like that he has other
women?”

“He doesn’t, though. Not anymore.”

“He is faithful to you?” he croaks.

“Apparently.”

He considers that and says, “Interesting.”

After a long fairly awkward silence he says, “Thank you for
telling me. Secrets aside, I am intrigued about what it is you two talk about
when you are alone together.” He throws me a sly look and I smile at him in
amusement, “Well I will be sure to keep you apprised of our conversations.”

He kisses me quickly in acknowledgment, “I suppose we should
make tracks, it’s nearly time to go.”

“Back across the country. At least you are coming all the
way with me. It has been so shit missing you all these months.”

“I know, baby. I have missed you too.”

“Erm,” he starts.

“What?”

“I really don’t want to ask this but I suppose I have to.
How will it work when it comes to Tuesday?”

“I don’t know. I suppose we will go somewhere else.”

He sighs, “Have I told you how much I hate this?”

“A few times, yes,” I say with a small smile. “I love you.”

“I love you. Let’s go.”

Cole is already ready to go so I twirl in a circle and soon
am also ready to go. I Astral us into the foyer where everybody is waiting,
even Jess, who someone remembered to let out of the room.

“I really don’t want to leave now we are back here,” Devon
says.

“Then don’t,” Cole says mildly. “No offense, but the only
one I am bothered about coming is my wife.”

“None taken,” Devon replies. “However, where your wife goes,
I follow.”

“Seems to be the general consensus,” he grumbles.

I turn to Scott and give him a hug. I drop my blocks and say
to him in my head, “Something is coming. Be careful, okay?” He stiffens. “Call
me if you need anything,” I say out loud to him.

“I will.” He nods at me.

I leave Dawn to say goodbye to him and we all leave the
house and pile in the cars waiting outside. I have Cole, Devon, CK, Jess, and
Cade in with me.

“Are you better?” CK asks me.

“I guess. I don’t really understand what the problem is.”

He shrugs.

“Are you ok?” I ask him quietly.

“Fine. Why?”

“What you said before. I’m sorry. I wasn’t implying
anything.”

“I know, I’m sorry too. It’s a sensitive subject.”

I nod, but something is still off. Everyone gets lost in
their own thoughts on the way to the airport and once at LAX we all trudge onto
the G6 less than enthusiastically.

“Can I sit with the captain?” Cade asks me.

“Sure.”

“Good. I would rather not be around to see what happens in
an enclosed space with you lot.”

He saunters, off leaving me a little annoyed at his comment.
I am just annoyed in general though. Someone has got my back up but I don’t
know who. It must be clear on my face as I sit and for the first time no one
fights to sit next to me. Cole, however, bravely takes the chair to my left and
CK bravely takes the seat opposite. That leaves Devon next to him and the rest
on the sofas behind us. Sebastian sits next to Jess much to her delight and
engages her in conversation.

I drum my fingers on the table as we take off and I know I
am getting on everybody’s nerves but I don’t give a damn.

“I am not sure I want your charge fucking mine,” Devon says
to CK suddenly.

CK looks at him mildly. “I don’t think that will happen.
Will it, Aefre?” He fires the question at me and I try to look innocent but
fail miserably.

“I am sure she isn’t the type to vie for troll of the year,”
I say hypocritically to cover up my role in this.

“I don’t know about that,” Devon mutters. We all look at him
and then at her. “What?” he says as we look back at him. “It wasn’t just her
looks and winning personality that made me ask her out. I am 507 years old for
fuck’s sake, I don’t go on dates for something to eat and a film to watch.”

CK snickers and says, “I’m with you there. Dating is for
children.”

“You took me out on a date,” I point out to him.

“Yes and we had a pleasant evening of talking and eating and
then we went home and fucked,” he says smartly and I could punch him. “To me
that is a date.” He flicks his eyes to Cole to see if his words have had the
desired effect, which obviously they have. I grip his hand tightly, lacing my
fingers through his and he relaxes. A bit.