Page 59 of His Atonement

Another thump followed by a grunt has me stopping again, then it sounds like something big takes a flying leap and lands in the middle of my bed because I can hear it squeak in protest.

God, I really wish I had a weapon right now but I don't even have a fucking knife block because my bouts of insanity over the last few weeks have really slowed down ordering everything I still need. And I keep putting off Milos's offer to add a security system, something everyone seems to think I should have since I live so far away, but I didn't really think I'd need it.

Not until now, anyway.

A few more steps have me right outside the bedroom door, the door that is ajar and not at all how I left it because I close every door multiple times before I leave. I even turn the knobs three times each once they're closed.

I really hope I didn't just adopt a pig that's about to get eaten by some wild animal that broke into my house. I would literally be the worst mom ever if that happened.

So I take a deep breath, straighten my spine, then throw open the door and brace for whatever waits.

Which is so not what I was expecting.

"What the fuck are you doing here?!" I screech, my heart in my throat. "You scared the hell out of me!"

Zan gives me a slow and adorably lopsided smile that widens once he sees Thor. "Is that a piglet?"

"Are you naked?"

"I ams, in facto, naked.” He smiles wider, and rolls a little bit to reveal Nic Cage between his legs hiding his junk. "Now you answers my inquisition. Is. That. A. Piglet?"

I frown. "Are you drunk?"

“Yes." Zan smiles proudly. "Drunk as a fucking skunk and also pretty high as well, too."

Great.

Just fucking great.

"I ams still waiting on your answers.” He lifts a brow and nods toward me. "Piglet or nose."

"Nose?"

"No. Piglet orno."

I roll my eyes and sigh. "This is Thor and he's not a piglet. He's a three year old teacup potbelly pig. I just adopted him."

"Smashing!" Zan pushes himself up onto an elbow, slips on nothing twice before he holds the pose. "He's a lovely little thing, isn't he? Yes, he is. A lovely little tiny piggy. Adorable little porker."

Ignoring the way he is baby-talking my pig, I ask, "What are you doing here, Zan?"

“Right." He nods firmly then reaches behind him and pulls a fifth of Grey Goose from what looks like his ass. "I have decided to accept the fact that you—" he hiccups, and takes a swig off the bottle. "You are mys mates. I've become to claim what is rightfully mine."Hiccup."Beg if I have to because I ams not too proud."

"What the fuck are you talking about?"

He frowns, which is also adorable, then blinks slowly. "You are my fated one, mys mates. I have come to forgive you for rejecting me the other many days ago and beg you to reconsider. I ams here to probe, no,provethat I ams the mates you deserve."

"Jesus, how drunk are you?" I set Thor on the ground and walk toward the bed but stop. "Did you just sayIrejectedyouthe other night?"

He nods. "You hidden me away like a dirty little secret. You, mys darling girl, was ashamed of me but I have come…" Zan stops then giggles, actually fucking giggles. "Come." He giggles again, snorts, then hiccups. "I have come many many times since you have arrived here from the City of Culver."

I pinch the bridge of my nose, and close my eyes. "You're like a fucking teenager.” Then I hold out my hand. "Give me the booze."

Zan frowns, shakes his head, and cradles the vodka to his chest like a baby, turns his body away from me, and flashes me his incredible butt cheeks.

"Zan. Give me the booze."

"I will not."