Page 59 of Bellamy

Alastair’s gaze narrowed. “Then why did you fight so hard to get the box with Asa’s ring? You sent demons to attack Simon at his shop. You then released shades on Echo Bay as a threat to us to hand it over to you. When that didn’t work, you helped Belphegor break through the barrier of our mansion to get it. Those actions don’t sound like someone who was happy with how things were.”

“I was following orders.” Phoenix crossed his arms. “Awakening Asa was Belphegor’s plan, and I went along with it because he told me to. Simple as that. I also saw it as an opportunity to move up in the world. With or without me, Asa would’ve awoken. Better for me to be part of his ascension rather than be crushed under his boot for having no value.”

Castor snorted. “So you’re saying you’re nothing but a spineless follower who feeds off the power of others to rise to the top.”

“I’m saying I’m a survivor. If that makes me spineless, so be it.”

“You saved my brother from the underworld,” Gray said, rubbing at his eyes before focusing on Phoenix. “I think you’re a butthead. A really bad one. But you weren’t spineless when you chose Bell over Asa. You weren’t selfish when you put Bell first. That’s gotta earn you some credit.”

I smiled a little. Gray was too good for this world.

“It’s earned him his life,” Galen said. “For now.”

“Where was that attitude in the basement?” I asked. “If not for me, you would’ve ripped Phoenix apart.”

Galen shrugged. “He could’ve survived without some of his limbs.” He grabbed Simon’s hand and ran his thumb over the nub where Simon was missing his forefinger. A finger Phoenix had chopped off.

The situation was complicated as fuck. I understood why my brothers were pissed. I understood their distrust. But it was beyond my control. It always had been.

A knock echoed from down the hall before the front door in the foyer opened and closed.

“Hey, hey,” a female voice rang out. “Your favorite witch is here.”

“Clara!” Gray jumped up and ran from the room to greet her. And then moments later, “Did you bring me a present?”

Mason’s body shook with a quiet laugh before he rose from the couch and followed after him. The human hunter had buffed up over the past few months thanks to the daily workouts with Galen in our home gym. His biceps were so big, they nearly ripped the sleeves of his tee.

I waited for Lust to make a comment. When I noticed the attractiveness of someone, even as a general observation, the bastard always had something to say. Some horny remark. But he remained quiet.

That is… until Phoenix approached me.

“Touch. Kiss.”

“I like you in my clothes,” I said, hooking my arms around his waist.

“But you like me even better without them, right?”

I smirked and lowered my face to his neck, kissing the mark I’d placed on him. “I thought you were sleeping.”

“I woke up when you left the room,” Phoenix responded. “It’s like my soul felt yours leave. This mate shit is weird. I raided your closet for these clothes and was patiently waiting for you to return. Then I heard what was going on down here.”

“Whoa,” Clara said as she entered the room. She made a sour face at Phoenix and put a hand on the side of her oversized purse. “I have a witch bomb, and I’m not afraid to use it.”

“A witch bomb?” Phoenix asked. “Do I even want to know what that is?”

Clara looked at Alastair. “Can I smoke this demon?”

“No,” I interjected, placing a hand on Phoenix’s lower back.

“Yeah, that’s not a good idea,” Gray said, peeking inside her purse. “Phoenix is kinda Bell’s mate.”

Her eyes widened as she looked at me. “No shit? Wow. I was rooting for the dragon twins.”

Phoenix clenched his jaw as a low growl escaped his throat. He definitely felt that same possessiveness as I did. I brought him closer to me. He relaxed a bit and turned his face to mine, our noses touching.

“Gross,” Daman said.

“Not in front of my pizza,” Raiden said, putting a hand over the cheese slices piled on his plate.