Page 37 of His Atonement

Cora hits me with a watery smile for a minute before concern fills her eyes. "Are you really ok though? Do you need me to stay? You know I will. Havok will probably pout something fierce and want to kick your ass, but it won't last and he'll understand if you need me."

I shake my head, and chew the fuck out of my cheek.

My sweet sister and her mate, along with his brothers and their families, are all going upstate to some sort of resort thing for a long weekend.

I have no idea what possessed them to do so, but it could not have come at a more perfect time because it leaves only me, Karel, Hank, and Janet here at the house, and Frankie will still be on the property. And as soon as my lovely sister departs, I'm marching out to that cabin to find out what the fuck is going on with her.

Right after I smoke no less than two blunts, take a shower to fix my body temp, and probably jerk off as many times as I can in that short period of time to get myself back to normal.

Cora frowns, works thatmom lookshe has already perfected, and parks her hands on her hips.

"I am fine, my gem." A thin dark brow lifts and I sigh. "I am not fine right this moment, but I will be very soon. I swear it, cross my heart. This is nothing those herbs will not handle and afterward I shall rest, find something to eat and probably watch ahead in Archer."

"You wouldn't dare!" She gasps. "That is our show, Zan! Archer isourshow! If you watch without me, I might just cry! And don't you even breathe a word of that to Andrej or Havok, they might decide not to be your BFF's anymore! You're lucky Colt said it was ok to watch while he was gone or else you would definitely be friendless."

I smile, cringe at the intense pain it causes, then slowly get to my unsteady feet. "Fine, fine. I will not watch Sterling Archer and his antics until you return, but I will be perfectly fine while you are away, which is why you must go." I press a kiss to her forehead, and smile when Cora wraps me in her almost brutal hug. "Not to mention, this may be your last trip, last chance at quality time with your mate before those sweet babes come. You should enjoy it and not worry about me."

With one more squeeze that actually does cause pain, Cora sighs. "I'll go, just promise me that you'll let me know if you need anything. And you'll have Janet make you some real food while I'm away, maybe some sort of hearty soup that will help you feel better."

Gods, I do not deserve this amazing creature's concern, not one bit.

"I promise." I move to grab her suitcase and backpack then begin escorting my sister outside where Havok should be waiting in his truck. "I will even send you updates so you know that I am taking care of myself."

"Pictures. Send me pictures of your meals, and proof that you're resting."

I roll my eyes and chuckle. "Yes, Mother."

Cora scowls playfully then smiles so wide as she sees Havok standing next to her side of the truck, his jaw practically on the floor as he takes in her beauty.

I help Havok get her in, heave my incredibly pregnant sister into the Dodge then gag because I really need to fucking smoke and the last thing I need is to watch that vampyr grope my sister. But he does and I gag again, and wave as my most precious gem flaps her hands at me with a smile until I can no longer see her.

Then I'm off.

I jog the best I can through their garage, lock their cabin that will soon be mine, grab Samson's food and treats, his duffel bag of shit Cora packed and make sure he follows as I start running down the tunnel toward my dungeon.

Once we're close enough, Sammy heads upstairs to see who he can mooch dinner from while I all but kick in my door and immediately strip down to nothing but my burning skin.

I snatch a blunt from the table, my hands shaking so hard I can barely light it, but I finally manage and as soon as that poison enters my lungs, the shaking stops.

Another hit and I grow less tense.

Another ends the profuse sweating and the final drag puts a stop to my headache.

With a relieved sigh, I light a second blunt and walk across the war room to start the shower.

Gods, that was close.

Too close and I absolutely cannot allow that to happen again, especially not in front of Cora.

I walk back to my room to finish off the blunt, drink four bottles of water, then move to grab clean clothes since I unfortunately cannot go traipsing around the property in the buff despite how few people currently occupy it.

But when I open the drawer that contains my newly purchased shorts, I frown.

There is a manilla envelope sitting on top of them with nothing but Z on the front scrawled in the most beautiful calligraphy.

So I stick a third blunt between my teeth and wander to the bed where I plop down on the edge, break the seal, and pull a 5x7 piece of paper from it.

The ball is in your court, baby. Hope you enjoy the bitter taste of defeat.- F