Page 22 of Starborn Husbands

“Fine. Have me. Please reconsider my brother and the crown prince,” I say. I’m willing to beg for them.

The king digs his large hand into my hair and squeezes next to the roots of my skull. Fire flashes behind Zhang’s eyes. Atlanta’s nostrils flare.

Gemini steps forward.

“Zhang can take care of what we needed to do. Please let me come home, Father. I’ll return to retrieve Zhang, or I’ll send someone for him at the end of the week.”

Atlanta’s hands clench, and I try to shake my head. I know what he’s doing, but he doesn’t have to. Contrary to popular belief, I can handle myself.

Despite how it looks.

“Very well,” the king says.

We don’t get to say goodbye, and I left my phone on the table so I’m never gonna find out if Johnny gets the spanking he totally deserved for shirking his chores.

CHAPTERSEVEN

Atlanta

Without Gemini and Treyu, there’s no buffer for our violence. Zhang and I spend a good deal of time tearing the motel room apart.

“Atlanta, they’re going to whip the shit out of him. I should be there for him,” Zhang says.

“Feel guilty, Centaurus?” This is at least half his fault.

“Stop it with that shit. At least for now. We can return to hating each other later.”

I hunt around the room for my weapons and my jacket.

“What are you doing? We need to come up with a plan,” Zhang says.

“What’s it look like? I’m leaving.”

I know better than to take the words of someone who is not my fan at face value. It doesn’t mean they never have a point. Gemini is a dream I can’t have. It’s not about being good enough. I know I am. I’ll protect him with my last breath. Still will. But perception is the real God. The crown prince can’t marry a guardian star. It’s not what’s best for all the Pleiades.

“You agree with him, don’t you? Then fuck you. My brother deserves someone who will fight for him, Atlanta.”

I turn all my searing rage on him. “I will always fight for him.”

“I mean his heart. Gods. Fucking Orions. You’re prone to fighting for the wrong things.”

“My family has been guarding the galaxy for millennia. Our way keeps you and your family safe. I’ll do that for Gemini forever.” My voice breaks on his name. I have to get the fuck out of here.

“Aren’t you worried about Treyu?”

Of course, I am. I raised that kid. When he fell, I fell with him and that says it all. He never got over what happened to his mother. I also know there’s nothing he’s wanted more than to go home. “I’m counting on you to bring him to visit, Centaurus.”

“Are you saying we do nothing about this? I can’t fucking believe you.” Zhang finally stills, quietly seething. The room seems to grow darker even though the light surrounding him doesn’t change.

“I’m saying, listen to your daddy and get shit done. Give Treyu a good life.”Tell Gemini I love him.

“Meet us here on Friday. Say goodbye to him. I know he’ll make sure he’s the one to retrieve me. It will mean a lot to him.”

I shake my head. “Can’t.”

I leave him to seethe and turn my focus on how I’m going to survive without my heart. I’ve only just found out I have one and then it was ripped away.

* * *