Page 76 of Broken Obsession

“Sorry, Professor Baldur,” Ares cut him off, ending his game and closing out of the app before giving them his full attention. “I didn’t realize. No one’s ever said anything about it to me before.”

“It’s fine.” Eden chucked his chin toward the device. “Did you win?”

“Of course. I always win.”

Inzer had gone pale. “You two…know each other?”

“He’s Ransom,” Ares said. “Why wouldn’t I know him?”

“Right, yes.” Inzer swallowed uncomfortably. “That makes sense. You’d know the face behind your favorite game character, obviously.”

“He’s my boyfriend,” Eden had no clue why he said it, but the words tumbled past his lips before he could help himself. Honestly, seeing the sweat appear on Inzer’s brow sort of made it worth it. The asshole didn’t deserve to walk around comfortably. Let him stew and wonder what Eden was doing dating a Black Hart.

Let him worry and really think about Eden’s family and what he’d done to them, like he should have been doing all along. Everyone here was terrified of Ares.

Eden wasn’t above using that to his advantage, even if it meant rumors getting around that the two of them were together. Suddenly, maintaining distance so he could save face in front of his students didn’t matter as much.

Why should it? Hadn’t Lucifer promised to handle things if anyone treated Eden disrespectfully?

He smirked. “What’s wrong, Inz? There’s no policy about professors and students at Sacrum Cor. I made sure to check before accepting the position.”

He had not, but he assumed that was true, since there was no way in hell Ares would have brought him on as a staff member otherwise.

“No, right, of course.” Inzer stepped back.

“Aren’t we going to lunch?”

“Actually, about that, I just remembered I have a meeting. Silly me. Rain check?”

“Are you meeting with Professor Rain?” Ares purposefully misunderstood. “There’s actually something I have to discuss with him. I’ll head there with you.”

Inzer opened his mouth but was clearly struggling to come up with a response.

Eden chuckled and reached for Ares, taking his hand and pulling him off the wall and further away from the shocked man. “Behave. It’s clear he’s in a rush. Aren’t you, Inz?”

“Yes, yes, I am. Sorry to dash, Eden.”

“It’s no problem. We’ll catch up another time, won’t we?”

He blinked at him, then found his voice. “Of course! We’ll schedule something later. I really have to go. It’s great seeing you again, welcome to Sacrum Cor!”

They watched him practically trip over himself to get away, and the second he turned the corner, Eden’s fake smile vanished.

“Why’d you give him an out just now?” Ares asked quietly. “Have you changed your mind? Slitting his throat quickly and being done with it is always on the table, Paradise.” He pressed a thumb to Eden’s forehead, smoothing out his brow. “Don’t overthink it. Just go with what feels right.”

“I didn’t give him an out.” Eden turned and looked at him. “You can have him followed, can’t you?”

Without responding, Ares tapped at his multi-slate. It only rang twice before an unfamiliar voice answered.

“What’s up?”

“You should be stepping out of the arts building right now, right?” Ares asked.

“Yeah.”

“Professor Yezaers will be passing by shortly. Follow him for me, will you?”

There was a pause and then, “I see him. For how long?”