Page 41 of Sire

I can’t get out to open her door fast enough, but I have a feeling I’ll be saying it for the rest of my short life, “Whatever you say, Angel.”

Laughing together, we walk side-by-side, my hand on thesmall of her back, our bodies brushing. Every urge tells me to take her sweet face in my hands and kiss her, but?—

“Ahem.”

A deep voice from the shadow by my door makes me step in front of Wren, my hand reaching for the gun in my back holster.

“It’s me, holy fucker.”

Axel steps out of the shadows. Wren grabs my jacket. Like me, my brother is a menacing sight at first glance.

“It’s okay,” I tell her. “He’s one of the poison penises.”

Axel cocks a dark brow, and Wren switches gears from frightened to a fairy.

“Hi, Sire’s brother.” She sticks her hand out. “I’m Wren, and I believe we met before you murdered those dickheads. Thanks, by the way.”

“Hi, Wren.” Axel grins, shaking her hand. “It’s nice to meet you. And yes, I’m Axel, we’ve met, my penis has amazing properties, but poison ain’t one, and you’re welcome. Glad to see you’ve invaded my brother’s monkish life.”

Wren smiles my way. “I like him.”

“Don’t.” I scowl. “He’s a dickhead wrapped in gangster’s clothing.”

But really, he’s not. Axel has a caring heart. It’s just buried under all the shit we survived as kids.

“Wren,” he asks, “can I steal Pastor Prick for a minute?”

“Sure!” She likes that nickname too much. Pointing to my car, she asks, “Should I get my bags now or?—”

“I’ll bring them up.”

“Okay.” She turns toward my door, entering the code.

But I draw my gun. “Wait. Let me go up with you and clear the place.”

I’m disturbed that Wren seems unfazed by this. Dutifully, she stands behind me until I’ve checked every room.

“So, who’s the oldest?” she asks, opening the container of muffins in the kitchen.

“Me.” I holster my gun.

“But Axel talks like he’s in charge.” And she talks with her mouth full—another irresistible trait.

“He is.”

“Why aren’t you? You know, patriarchal birth order and all.”

“You sure know a lot about patriarchy.”

She gestures to the air. “We all have its cancer.”

“Exactly, and I was the first male heir my father always wanted, but fuck him; I didn’t want the power. I just never expected he’d turn his wrath on Axel next.”

Her brows bend. “Then why don’t you take over now?”

“Trust me, Axel’s better at it. You don’t want me in charge.”

“Why?”