Page 15 of Devil May Hunt (The Devils of Vitality #8)

“Shut up. This alpha has already done that for you. This alpha clearly cares,” he disagreed quietly.

“For the record, I do too. And so does my brother. Look, I’m not saying agree overnight.

I’m just suggesting you really take the time to think it over before rejecting him again.

You’ve somehow managed to attract the attention of a man with serious power. ”

“I have more money than I can spend, what could I possibly want from him?”

“You’re rich, sure, but you aren’t Imperial rich.” Brennon tapped the end of the stylus onto the table. “Think about it. There’s got to be something you want that was out of reach before.”

Well…One thing did come to mind…

“I’m not going to sell myself for material gain.” Brennon huffed.

“Whatever. I tried.” Rin motioned at their stuff. “Let’s call it a day, yeah? I’m too worried about Daylen to concentrate on this bullshit, and you really don’t look good. How about we head to the cafeteria? Maybe food will help.”

“Yeah, good plan.” It’d been months since the last time they’d gotten a meal together, just the two of them. “I hope they’re serving jinx. Maybe it’ll help settle my stomach.”

* * *

They were serving jinx.

But it didn’t make him feel any better.

Brennon clutched his middle and inhaled slowly through his nose, trying to fight off another wave of cramping. Earlier, there’d been a mild fever, slight dizziness, and nausea, but the symptoms had altered.

“Let’s go to the nurse,” Rin suggested. He’d cleared his plate and had been sitting there patiently watching as Brennon picked at his own food. “You seem to have gotten worse.”

“It’s—” a hot flash cut him off and he ground his teeth. His skin felt prickly all over. “Is it hot in here? Why don’t they turn on the damn AC?”

“It’s not hot,” Rin said. “Look around. Most people are wearing sweatshirts over their uniforms. We’re going to the nurse. You need to be checked out.”

Brennon’s multi-slate rang, and he cursed when he saw his mother’s name flash across the screen. He popped out the earbud attachment and accepted the call, despite wanting to ignore it. “Hello, Mother.”

“I need you at headquarters asap.” If his mother noted the hint of discomfort in his voice, she didn’t show it.

But she probably didn’t.

The second he’d told her and his father he wasn’t going to inherit the company, the two of them had mostly washed their hands of him. They kept up appearances for the sake of their reputations, but that was the extent of it.

“Right now?” Brennon frowned. He was never called to the office. “Why?”

“We’ve decided to sell the business,” she replied curtly. “Since your grandmother left you shares, you’re technically a member of the board. You don’t need to be here for the meeting, but I need you to sign a few documents in person.”

“What?!” Brennon shot up and wavered on his feet, catching himself with a palm against the table. Holy shit. Rin was right. He was way too sick for this.

“Don’t be so surprised,” his mother stated.

“With no heir to take over, it doesn’t make sense for us to continue slaving away at the company, not when there’s a better offer.

Just get here as quickly as you can. I know you don’t have classes today, so don’t bother making excuses.

” She hung up without giving him the chance.

Brennon stared at his device for a moment, trying to process what he’d just been told. Cree Cosmetics had been in the family for three generations, and they were selling it? Just like that? On a whim? As far as he knew, they hadn’t listed it and weren’t intending to give it away.

If they sold it…what about him?

He’d keep his shares, but there’d be no chance of him ever changing his mind and taking over. He’d always hoped…

Fuck.

“I have to go.” He rubbed at his temple, fingers coming back damp from sweat.

“Like this?” Rin frowned and stood. “At least let me drive you.”

He stared at him. “Why are you being so nice to me?”

“I’ve always treated you this way.”

Brennon shook his head. “Not for a while you haven’t.”

“You said it yourself, you’re over it.” Rin shrugged and motioned toward the exit. “Come on. I’m guessing your mother summoned you or something like that. I’ll drive. If you try to get anywhere on your own, you might pass out in the streets. I’m already down two friends.”

Oh, that explained it. Rin was trying to act like everything was normal because right now there was no one else to hang out with.

“Stop that,” Rin scolded, and when Brennon frowned, he rolled his eyes.

“I was never mad you developed a crush on me. I was mad you tried to kiss me when I was wasted and clearly already into someone else. Now that you’ve basically experienced the same thing?

I’m guessing you’ve realized how crappy it feels. ”

“Pretty sure Gunho took things further than an attempted kiss,” he said, “but I’m seeing your point. So, we’re…okay? Just like that?”

“If you ever hit on me again, I’ll shove your head into the toilet and let you choke on dirty water.

” He put his hands into the pockets of his black commando pants.

“You’ve been different all week. Distracted.

Sila claims to have had good intentions, but my brother can be seriously misguided. Are you sure you’re all right?”

“Just sick.” He smiled reassuringly. “It’s not like it was my first one-night stand.”

Rin gave him a look.

Okay, it had been. But so what? That didn’t mean it had any significance.

“Are we going or what?” He picked up his tray and headed to the drop-off station, using the excuse of not wanting to keep his mother waiting as a way to end the conversation.

He didn’t want to think about the alpha right now.

Not when it made the odd cramping in his lower belly more persistent.