Page 129 of Loving the Tormentor

Kay and Nate have a lot of security around the property. They screen people from down the street, check who's here at the gate, and there are two guards standing on either side of the door, on top of the ones roaming around their yard. But no one else ever opens this door other than Nathan White. He must see every single person who steps foot in the house. His daughters and wife live here, and he never takes any risks.

"Hey," I say shyly.

Kay loves Nate, so I have no choice but to technically love Nate. But fuck, I’ll never not be terrified of him, and he makes sure to keep terrifying me in case I forget to be.

"Plus one?" he asks in his flat voice.

"I told Kay?" Why did I turn that into a question? I did tell Kay. She said it was fine, as long as Achilles knew how to behave. He knows…kinda.

"She must have forgotten to tell me. It's been a busy week." He steps to the side. "Come in, Nyx."

I do, and when Achilles is about to follow, he gets back in the way, putting himself between us the second I'm in the entrance hall.

"I said Nyx." There's no threat, no change in his voice. It's a simple statement.

Achilles cocks an eyebrow at Nate, not bothered in the slightest.

"We come as a pair," he answers casually.

"Not in this house, you don't. I've seen you before. I've heard of you—way more than I want to, believe me—and I haven't yet decided if I want another psychopath in my house."

"Do you think you can decide before cake?" Achilles deadpans.

"Achilles," I hiss. "I'm sorry," I tell Nate with a wince.

My boyfriend smiles innocently. "I'm not. And I'm not a psychopath, by the way. Not clinically." He leans forward. "Unlike you," he whispers before winking.

With a huff, I look at the ceiling. This is going to be an incredibly long lunch.

Nate turns to me. "Of course the new boyfriend would be fucked up. You have a type, Nyx. And I don't love it."

"Yeah, the same type as Kay, apparently. I don't love it either," I retort.

Achilles snorts, but Nate ignores him. "Kay said he studies psychiatry."

"Technically,it's his first year of med school. He's not specialized in anything yet," I answer.

Nate turns back to Achilles, narrowing his eyes at him. "If you make a case out of me, I'll make sure you suffer," he explains as he steps to the side to let him in. Because why threaten death when you can do worse.

Achilles smiles, looking too smug, probably fully aware that it's getting on Nate's nerves. "You're not that interesting."

"Oookaaay. Enough chit-chat," I say in a panic as I take his hand.

It's always a mission to survive an afternoon with Kay's entourage. Her twin baby girls jump me as we walk into the dining room. Livie’s quiet as usual, and Lia’s already pointing at Achilles as she pulls at my skater skirt.

"Who are you? Who is it, Auntie Nyx? Is he bad? Who is he? Daddy!"

These girls calling for their dad every time a stranger gets near them is great survival instincts.

Livie giggles in my ear as her feet tap my thigh while I hold her, and Lia laughs right away. Apparently, she can still read her mute sister's mind.

"Livie thinks Daddy hates him. Daddy, do we hate the mister? Do we?"

"Of course not," I jump in. "His name is Achilles, and he's my friend."

Achilles cocks his head to the side, observing me and ignoring the threats from the girls.

"Friend? Try again."