Page 30 of Love the Way You Lion (Rise of the Resistance #3)

The Cat Gets Good News

DELILAH

T he shopping trip I planned for today was to places that would make Taurus want to kill everyone in sight.

Luckily, he got called into work after our intense ‘re-acquaintance session’.

That ended in a tumble of sheets and snarls, as well as my promise not to be as careless in the future.

Taurus doesn’t know how unlikely that scenario is because I didn’t mention it, but I was comfortable making a vow for caution.

I can’t really talk about why I lost focus and control—it’s humiliating and I’m keeping it to myself.

After popping to my house to check in with Rafe, I set out on my retail adventure.

I need ingredients for stupid magick rooms and a couple of costume pieces to get this bloody party ready.

Life has been distracting, and the date is looming ever closer; I don’t want to be ill-prepared, even if Leo and the gang are handling a lot of the details.

Parties at the Maison are known for being the best—this isn’t the time to challenge that reputation.

I drop my bags on the floor of our room when I return.

I left the magickal things at the Maison for the boys to take to my sacred space, but I want the pieces of my outfit here to keep it secret.

Taurus is not ready to see what it looks like when my entire family is getting ready for a large party—the master bedroom there is enormous for a reason.

He and Talia aren’t the type to hang about a Vegas backstage-style experience as we all help one another dress, so I assume they will do their thing at their own house.

Dressing for events is a very efficient and thorough process at the Maison.

Rafe does faces and my hair. I style everyone else’s hair, and our clothes get passed from Hex’s expert treatment to Sandrine.

She helps people get buckled, zipped, or whatever, so their outfits fit perfectly.

Philomena critiques, criticizes, and keeps everyone with a drink in hand.

Vic keeps mood music going and Caesar handles any last-minute runs to the store.

Leo keeps everyone fed, and together, we’re a well-oiled machine.

It’s—well, it’s chaos that would make him and Talia want to retreat for two years.

They should come to the house once they’re ready to be attendees, not to take part in the day-long getting ready event. Our family’s comfort level with one another is not something I think they’re ready to witness.

The clone in question pads in from the bathroom, drying his hair. He must have come home and gone for a swim, because he smells like the ocean. “How’s your day been, love?”

I smile, watching him with soft eyes. He looks unscathed given our rather fierce re-mating this morning. It must be my blood in him, pumping him full of healing and regeneration. “Not bad. You’re looking unblemished and tanned.”

Chuckling, he shrugs. “You know, when I asked if you’d fight for me way back when I didn’t imagine it’d be fighting me . You and that lovely beast inside didn’t want to take no for an answer this morning.”

My lips curl. “I have no interest in our connection being less than it should. I had to fix whatever those drugs screwed up. She agreed with me, for once.”

“So, I’m not crazy, then? Your lovely and my demon mated—which is why I feel that bugger more than I have... ever.”

I pad over, nipping his chin. “I believe so, my darling. You’re entwined with every part of me now. Dark and light, though lately...?”

“It’s more dark than light and trust me, not a complaint from me, my little blood warrior.” He grins and tugs me over to the bed. “What did you buy and how bad is my wallet screaming?”

Sniffing, I give him a look. “I bought outfit stuff for the party. You’ll have to wait to see it all. Trust me; you will not want to be at the house until a little before it starts. Our family getting ready is more than you’d want to experience just yet.”

Taurus looks wounded, pouting. “Do you think I’m too much of a prude to handle it?”

My lips quirk up. “Yes. If Damien is dressing you guys, you’re getting ready won’t last as long as we all take. Trust me on this, my love.”

“Okay, okay. The goddess and I will have to live without the two of you for a couple of hours.” He stops and murmurs, “He loves her, right? ”

I blink, taken aback. “Very much—I don’t even have to poke around to figure that out.”

“It’s—she’s not like me. She avoided relationships for much longer than me, even friendly ones. I worry about her.”

“I don’t blame you, but he’s—well, he’s always been more selective than me and after all the shit with the exes, I didn’t think he’d ever venture out again.”

“We walked on the beach today and she’ll kill me for telling you, but I think the magnitude of everything hit her last night.

Especially since that rotter you’re mated told her he wants to make her as happy as I do you.

It’s a tall order and even wanting to try is big.

It made her girly and happy, then terrified. ”

That makes me a little nervous, especially with Talia having a problem with it, but I need to let them find their own groove.

I arch a brow. “Did he? Good for him.”

“She’s afraid she doesn’t have it in her to give him what you give me. She thinks she’s forgotten how to trust that much. It’s some shit with the departed and his gnome making her stumble.”

Sighing, I nod. “That I am familiar with. Last I heard, the lunatic fringe says they’re halfway through their ‘quests’. Lily says they’re blogging about it, but I refuse to even look. I swore I wouldn’t get sucked into it and I won’t. Goddess only knows what they’re saying about me.”

His eyes narrow and he snarls, “About any of us, really. It’s best I leave that alone—you can’t have a party if I kill a lot of guests.”

“Rafe’s crazy about her. He’s not even been around much of anyone else, and with Wilde not being here, that’s been easy. I knew the minute he gave up a chance to prod at me in favor of flirting with her the night we drained. ”

“I know you said it went fast with them. I hate to pick at a scab that I’ll wish I hadn’t, but can you clarify?”

“My primary started up with Sari in August that year, and they didn’t claim until November. Rhea and he were about two months. My experience was maybe a tad quicker, but it should be even.”

Sitting back in his chair, he runs his hands through his hair. “Holy fuck, woman. I didn’t know it was that much faster.”

“When you know, you know,” I shrug, leaning in to nip his jaw. “I knew.”

Taurus studies me for a moment and says, “I’m withdrawn, aren’t I?”

“Yeah. You get that way sometimes when you’re broody.”

“I do not brood!” Huffing and looking affronted, he yanks me closer.

“Baby, being with you, having you curl up on me makes everything better inside of me. I realized a long time ago that the only place I’m calm, the only place I feel right, is where you are.

Not just the sex—which defies description in the best of ways—but you.

Your heart, your mind, and your soul put me at peace.

You said it right this morning; I can’t breathe when you’re not the air. ”

My arms tighten around him, and I kiss all over his neck and shoulders.

“You are my safety, baby. I can hide with you; I can be me without it being filtered into someone that other people want me to be. I trust you. You make me feel safe and warm and loved even in the hard spots, because I know you still love me.”

“In the tough spots, I love you even more. I'm so bloody proud of you.” He palms the back of my neck, rubbing the muscles there. “Even when you’ve gotten hurt, you let me in, and it humbles me. There isn’t one aspect of your personality that I’m not ass over brains for, baby.”

“Sometimes, I need to do stuff myself, but I’ve been trying to be honest and open and trust you.

I want to give you as much as you’ve given me.

Even when you want to rip and tear and slay my dragons, you let me do what I can to handle things myself.

It means a lot to me that you respect that need, even when you’re livid. ”

His brows furrow and he frowns. “Is it tough to be straightforward with me, love? Is it hard to trust me? I know you don’t enjoy seeing me hurting, and I figure that honesty might weigh on you when you’re sure it’s going to set me off.

I’d hoped I’ve acted in ways that prove to you that while I get angry and hurt, I’d rather know the truth, even if it’s painful.

Otherwise, we’re living under the pall of a lie. ”

We’re treading in some deep, dangerous water here with the secrets of the past. I’m still not ready to relive that through the telling of it, and I’m hesitant to drag myself and my primary through the mud with them by giving up the truth in its entirety.

“It’s hard to be totally honest with anyone.

As you know, I’ve learned being honest gets you punished.

Trusting you isn’t hard. I have knee-jerk reactions—moments where I’m sure I’m going to lose you over something that I can’t control.

I still get scared. Then I get mad at myself for it because you have done nothing to warrant my reaction. ”

This is as close to real vulnerability about the past as I can be at the moment, and I hope he understands. Even with Wilde dead, the fear hasn’t faded yet.

“You will not lose me over something you’ve no control over.

I’ll keep reassuring you every day until that demon is exorcised.

You have my word that I won’t punish you if there are truths you’ve got to spill.

They may hurt me a bit, and I may need to be by myself for a time, but that’s not a punishment. It's survival for me.”

“I work hard to remember that and not panic.” My expression is rueful as I sigh. “I have my own insecurities because I love you so much. You’ve become my haven, my refuge.”

“I’ll be whatever you need me to be, wife. Depend on me, for I depend on you; love me, as I do you; cherish me, as I do you; respect me, as I do you. The rest will either sod off or shrivel up and go away.”

I kiss him again, smiling. “You have a way with words, buddy. You always say the perfect thing.”

“When the feelings are there, the belief in something so strong — the words set themselves up right. I’ve nothing to do with it. But I promise you, we’re going to have one hell of a good time working together.”

I blink. “ What ?!”

His entire face lights up as if he’s been waiting to tell me this for hours, maybe even days.

“I heard this morning. Talia and I were at a meeting and found out, and then we took the walk on our way home. You’re a newly minted contract agent at the Company.

Meet with Mikhail and let him see your skills in training.

There’s some paperwork to do, but you’re my partner. ”

Throwing myself into his arms, I beam. I sort of have a job being a leader here. That takes up some time, but I need something more. I need a purpose, an outlet, a place that isn’t where everyone owns me and I can be who I’ve become.

Everyone here remembers the old Deli, but this extra dimension doesn’t fit into their picture of me and no one will adjust their view.

They just keep putting me back in that box and are so disappointed when I don’t fit into it anymore.

Wilde and Sari were the worst about it, but it’s not an uncommon problem of late.

I need this.

“I can go on missions and be a super spy now? That’s awesome.”

Narrowing his eyes, he gives me a look. “Partner. That means you’re going with me, woman.”

Sniffing, I grumble, “I can pop in and out. You know I can take care of myself.”

I feel the long-suffering sigh as he shakes his head. “You know, I hate when she’s right. Talia bet me a bloody Wright print that you’d be off on your own before I could bat a lash. You haven’t even signed the papers yet! Women are going to be the death of me, I bloody swear.”

“She’s a smart cookie, that one.” I nod. “When can we go? Can we go now? I want to go now.”

Taurus sighs again. “There goes my plan, up to and including naked gymnastics for the night. Alright, love. Throw on some clothes and let’s go see the uptight nit that runs the agents.”

It started out rough, but this is shaping up to be the best day ever.