Page 9 of Evil Hearts

Chapter 3

“Are you sure you don’t want more?” Reed asked as he finished off his second helping. Cassi looked down at her empty plate, surprised to find she’d eaten all of it. Her stomach had been too upset to eat all day, but not anymore.

The size of her meal was nothing compared to Idris’s. He’d eaten four heaping platefuls. Feeding the gargoyle must be a big job, but Reed seemed to love it.

“Cassi?” Idris said. “Are you feeling okay? Is the food upsetting your stomach?”

“Hey, my food is great!” Reed objected in an overly dramatic tone.

“Cassi’s human,” Idris argued. “There might have been something in there that’s bothering her.”

Now Reed looked annoyed. “Spaghetti with Bolognese sauce is human food!”

“But did you cook it long enough?” Idris asked. “You and I can tolerate a lot of things that could make humans sick.”

Reed’s eyes narrowed, and he looked like he was about to launch himself across the table at Idris. “What are you sayin’ about my food?”

Idris finally seemed to realize he’d upset Reed. “I love your food, but it took a few years for you to get the hang of cooking. Remember that time you didn’t cook the chicken long enough? You got really sick.”

“Enough,” Silas said, interrupting Reed and Idris. Once they both went quiet, he focused on her. “Cassi, is there a problem?”

“N-n-no problem at all!” she said quickly, casting worried glances around. This was the first time she’d seen Reed anything but cheerful or reassuring. Did the two men ever get into physical altercations?

She shivered at the thought of all the damage they could do if they got into a fight.

“I was only s-s-surprised that I ate everything,” she continued. “I didn’t realize I was so hungry.”

Idris looked at her plate then back to her. “You thought that was a lot? Are you sure you’re eating enough?”

Reed’s irritation vanished. “Good point, Idris. I thought it was a snack, but if that was what she considered a meal, it’s not enough. I could make her lots of small meals to eat throughout the day. I’ve heard that’s better anyway.”

“Maybe we could also talk to a nutritionist,” Idris said, then looked to Silas. “Can you hire one?

She yawned as they talked about her as if she wasn’t there. The late hour, stress of the day, and full belly were all making her sleepy. That was probably why their conversation wasn’t irritating her.

“Those are concerns for later,” Silas said. “I think Cassi might need to rest for a while.”

All eyes turned to her mid yawn. Covering her mouth with both hands, she blinked at everyone and snapped her gaping jaw closed the moment she was able.

Standing up, Silas moved to her side of the table. “Let me show you to your room,” he said, holding out a hand. Idris was quick to get up, pushing his chair back so quickly, it fell with a loud clatter.

“I can carry you,” he said, ignoring the chair.

Reed came around and righted the chair. “I’ll clean up the kitchen later, I’ll go with you guys now.”

“Of course,” Silas agreed. “You can leave the mess until tomorrow if you like. No need to rush back. We need to savor every moment with Cassi.”

Suddenly she wasn’t so sleepy anymore. It seemed it was time for her to pay her part of the bargain. She only hoped Silas would keep his promise and save her sister.

She smiled up at Idris. “I’d like to walk, but th-th-thank you, Idris.”

Idris nodded and held out his hand. Now she had two hands to help her stand. Giving up, she put a hand in each and stood. Neither man let go as they escorted her out of the kitchen and back to the grand staircase.

The thought of having sex with these three men should’ve terrified her, but she was getting nothing but excitement from her nervous system and interest from her lady parts. In an attempt to distract herself, she looked around as they walked up the stairs. The entire castle was decorated in the sleek but comfortable Scandinavian style. It didn’t really match the rough stone walls or high arched ceiling.

“Where are the s-s-suits of armor?” she asked. “And s-s-shouldn’t there be tap-tap tap…wall hangings?”

“There was armor, tapestries, pikes, and all sorts of stuff hanging on the walls,” Reed said. “The guy who built this in the 1950s recreated an actual castle from medieval England. Then he filled it with fake antiques from movie sets. After he died, his son sold it to Silas with everything inside. It’s all stored in the old stables out back if you want to look through it. I swear, some of that stuff is haunted.”

“By the sp-sp-spirits of movie extras?” she quipped, surprised when all the men chuckled. Most people were so focused on her stuttering that they never got her jokes.

“That would explain the over actin’ ghosts,” Reed agreed, making her laugh.

“How does a g-g-ghost over act?” she asked.

“Wear several sheets instead of one?” Idris suggested as they turned right at the top of the stairs.

“Maybe they’d sing opera instead of moaning,” Silas offered. They kept coming up with ideas until they got to an open door. As if they practiced the maneuver, Silas and Idris stopped at the door and let go of her hands.

“Here we are,” Silas said. “I had one of my employees pack an overnight bag for you, it’s on the bed.”

“Y-y-ou d-d-did what?” she asked, stepping away from them and into the room. Crossing her arms over her chest, she stared at Silas and raised an eyebrow.

“I didn’t want you to go without familiar things, so I had an employee stop by your apartment and pack. I assure you she didn’t snoop, she’s very trustworthy. She’s worked for me for years.”

“M-m-my place!” she protested.

“She’s a pixie so she didn’t break anything to get in,” he said, tilting in his head. “Or do you object that she was there at all?”

“That!” she said, jabbing a finger at him.

He looked hurt. “Oh, well, I only wanted you to be comfortable.”

She couldn’t stay mad at that expression. With a sigh she dropped her arms to the side. “Ask next t-t-time. Okay?

What was she saying? This was a twenty-four-hour deal, there would be no next time. No more being carried around my Idris, holding hands with Silas, or eating food made by Reed. It was weird to realize she was going to miss these guys when their time was up. She’d only been with them for a few hours, and she was already attached.

Rubbing her hands over her face, she pulled in a deep breath and looked around the room. The bed was queen sized and definitely not big enough for the four of them.

“Will you guys be s-s-sleeping in here?” she asked.

Reed laughed and pointed at a door across the hall and about ten feet down. “Our room is right there.”

“Th-th-this isn’t your room?” she asked, confused.

“Of course not,” Silas said, then stepped forward. “It’s almost midnight, and you’re probably used to being in bed by now.”

When he leaned over, she closed her eyes in anticipation of a kiss. Instead, he brushed his lips across her forehead.

“If you need anything, please call for us,” he murmured, straightening up. “Rest now so we can spend the day together.”

Reed and Idris wished her a good night as Silas stepped out of the room. She saw longing looks from all three men, but none of them insisted on staying as Silas softly closed the door.

That was it?

She’d expected to be ravished, but the guys had all left her alone as if she really was a guest instead of a blackmailer. Or was she the one being blackmailed now?

Whatever, it didn’t matter. Throwing up her hands, she grabbed her bag and marched into the bathroom. A shower and comfy pajamas sounded really good right now.