Page 80 of Alpha Heat

Xan loathed the multitude of hateful needles Janus had pricked him, and worse, Caleb, with in just a very few awful minutes. He loathed even more than he hadn’t taken his cousin out with a well-placed elbow to the throat. If Urho and Jason hadn’t held him back…

He’d probably be in prison for murder tomorrow.

So it was undoubtedly for the best. But still he resented that Janus still breathed in his house. Even one more night of hospitality was too much after that little show.

“He’s awful,” Vale breathed. “I hadn’t expected to like him, but that was…wolf-god.”

Jason said, “I’ve always disliked him and thought he was arrogant. But what exactlyishis problem, Xan? I don’t remember him being cruel for the sake of it.”

“He didn’t used to be,” Caleb murmured, his face half-covered by his elegant hand.

“So he’s changed?” Vale asked.

Urho spit out, “It doesn’t matter how he used to be if this is how he is now. What a jackass.”

“Yes,” Vale agreed. “But perhaps that jackass has a reason—”

“Excuses for hurtful behavior is for children and deathbeds,” Urho said.

Vale rolled his eyes, and Jason looked like he might actually laugh. Xan didn’t know how he felt about Urho’s statement. He was too turned around after Janus’s interruption to their beautiful evening. He wished his cousin had never arrived and they’d continued to dance and be merry. But clearly the dancing portion of the evening was over.

“He always got under my skin,” Xan muttered irritably. “Even when we were kids. But he definitely changed for the worse several years back. It doesn’t matter. He’s sleeping off his liquor and will be gone in the morning. I couldn’t ask for more.”

“That is good news.” Jason glanced meaningfully between Urho and Xan. “That frees things up for everyone. There won’t be quite the same need for subterfuge between the two of you.”

“Exactly.” Xan should be happy that Janus was going, but darkness shifted around in his belly with the liquor. He wanted to stalk down the hall, open Janus’s door, and beat his ass. And he wanted to curl up in Urho’s lap and cry, because he was tired, and hurt, and angry.

Because his father loved that nasty piece of work more, and would leave the company to him if given even half a chance.

Xan swallowed down his feelings with another big swig of liquor.

“At least there is a new project for him, somewhere far away,” Caleb murmured. “He won’t be here much longer.”

“Butwewill,” Xan said.

Caleb met his eye. He sighed and his shoulders sagged. His handsome face fell. “I suppose you’re right.”

“It’s not so bad here…” Jason ventured.

“Yes, you’re making the place quite livable,” Vale agreed.

Caleb whispered, “I do like Virona. But that’s not what this is about.”

Xan took another sip from his glass, closing his eyes on the burn. Urho’s hand rested on his shoulder, squeezing lightly.

“It’s a good house,” Urho said carefully. “You could have a worthy life here, away from the interference of your family.”

Xan caught Caleb’s eye again, and they both sighed. “That’s true. But like Caleb said, it’s more complicated than that.” He rubbed his temple. “I’m happy Janus is starting on a new project in a different city, but he said he’d also be handling the final details for this office in Virona.”

“Which means Xan hasn’t made the impression on his father he’d hoped to make,” Caleb murmured. “Pass me a drink, darling. A strong one.”

“I’ll get it,” Urho said, steering Xan to the chair next to the sofa, the one closest to Caleb. He then set about getting drinks for all of them. As the night ticked into the small hours, they sat together on the sofas and chairs in the library while Xan explained his situation: his father’s threats, his pater’s removal from his life, Ray’s reassurances, and Janus’s ambitions.

“I see,” Urho said slowly as Xan finished up. “So this trip of Janus’s could be quite damaging for you.”

“He could paint Xan in all kinds of poor colors,” Caleb said, swirling his drink and kicking off his shoes to expose his glittering toenails.

“He’ll take all the credit for the success of the office in Virona,” Xan muttered.