Page 24 of The Devil’s Bargain (A Devil to Die for #3)
“We haven’t been able to locate Mitri,” Reed said.
“I still can’t believe he shot you.” Saz, situated on the opposite side of the bed Calix was being forced to rest in, added.
At least he’d been allowed to go back home. Now that the threat was officially taken care of, Mercy had discharged them all from the hospital and taken an extended leave of absence for both himself and Aodhan.
Calix was in his own room at the house, though he was dressed in silky black pajamas since he hadn’t been expecting guests this early in the morning.
He couldn’t blame their confusion though, he’d felt the same way when he’d woken up and found Mercy and Aodhan in deep discussion with Reed at the foot of his hospital bed.
Apparently, Mercy had been awake for a full day before him, and the two of them had already spun a story believable enough to convince the rest of their coworkers.
It’d helped that they’d somehow gotten Nero on board to corroborate their version of events.
In the tale they’d spun, Calix had stumbled on Mitri harboring a fugitive and a fight had broken out. Nero acted as a witness—nurses and other patients had seen him searching for Cal earlier, so it wasn’t far-fetched to believe he’d gone down to ask Mitri for help in locating him.
He’d caught Mitri and Amory together, having a standoff with Calix, and had gotten shot trying to help.
When Calix had asked him yesterday before leaving the hospital why he’d done it, Nero had given him some sappy answer about how Cal had risked his life to protect him.
Personally, Calix had no recollection of that, but it must have been true, given the way Nero was acting and how willing he’d been to play along with Mercy and Aodhan. He’d kept it up too, consistently retelling the same story to anyone who’d listen.
Which sort of made Cal feel bad for Amory, because according to Mitri, she’d been willing to do anything for Nero, and yet here he was, letting her take the rap for a crime she’d had nothing to do with.
Like Calix had done.
He ran a hand through his hair and tried to tune back into his friends. What was the point of dwelling on guilt when it wouldn’t make him change anyway?
“A couple matching Mitri and Amory’s descriptions were caught on camera boarding a ship off planet,” Reed informed him. “We tried to enhance the footage, but it’s grainy. It could be them, but we’re not sure.”
“She’s managed to stay hidden all this time,” Saz pointed out. “If she wants to stay hidden, she will. Besides, it sounds like she and Mitri were just biding their time until they could get paperwork in order and flee. They’re probably halfway to another galaxy by now.”
“You’re right,” Reed sighed. “No way they’d stick around now.”
“Bet they feel pretty bad,” Saz said to Cal. “I mean, I know they hurt you, but…”
“I know what you’re trying to say,” Calix saved him the trouble of having to explain. They’d been friends with Amory and Mitri for years, long before Cal had shown up and thrown a wrench into things. It was good enough that they were buying the story. He wasn’t going to push his luck.
Calix liked them. Liked working with them. Liked hanging out with them. And Mitri really had tried to kill him so…
“When will you be coming back to work? Reed asked, but before Cal could respond, someone else spoke for him.
“When he’s fully recovered.” Mercy appeared in the doorway and entered, giving Calix a look before addressing the others. “It’s almost time for breakfast. Are you two staying or…?”
“Oh, no,” Saz held up his hands and Reed instantly started backing toward the door. “We won’t impose like that.”
“Things are a mess at the station, again ,” Reed told them. “We’ve got to get there and help out. Get better soon, okay? We need you.”
“I’ll do my best,” Cal promised.
“He’ll return when he’s ready,” Mercy said almost before he could finish his sentence.
His coworkers laughed like they were a cute old married couple having a spat and then waved their farewells before leaving.
Calix crossed his arms and glared at the director. “I feel fine now.”
“You aren’t leaving,” Mercy insisted. “That’s final.”
“Seriously?”
“Neither of you are allowed to take a single step outside of this house without my permission.”
He groaned and dropped his head back against the headboard.
Mercy was not amused. “I’ll have to scold Aodhan for teaching you his bad habits.”
“Oh?” That perked him right up. “I’ll roll my eyes some more if it means getting a punishment.”
“No.”
Cal deflated. “Come on. Mercy. We’re fine. We’re all fine.” He reached for him, capturing his wrist lightly. “We aren’t suddenly made of glass. We’re not going to break if you touch us, or, gods forbid, we go outside and get a little wind blown across our faces.”
“Give up, Be’urn,” Aodhan joined, carrying a tray filled with various breakfast dishes. “I already tried our luck downstairs. He isn’t budging.”
“Damn it, Mercy,” Calix snapped. “If you’re going to keep us locked up here, at least have the decency to fuck us.”
Startled by his bluntness, Aodhan almost tripped over the edge of an area rug, righting himself just before he was about to lose one of the small plates on the tray. He laughed and then let out a low whistle. “Hell, baby, that was so hot.”
“Fucking right it was,” Calix agreed.
Mercy’s eyes narrowed. “I know what the two of you are doing.”
“Yeah?” Cal quirked a brow. “What are you going to fucking do about it?”
Mercy stared them both down for a long while before he heaved a sigh of defeat. “Fine.” He held up a finger. “One orgasm each. And the second the two of you are actually fully stabilized, I’m going to make you regret pushing me for even that. Understood?”
“Crystal clear.” Aodhan was already setting the tray down on the end table and stripping out of his shirt.
“Got it.” Calix slipped his thumbs into the waistbands of both his pajama bottoms and underwear and yanked them down and off.
“I mean it,” Mercy promised darkly. “I’m going to make the hook,” he set his sights on Aodhan, “and the bathtub, seem like fond memories.”
Calix shifted onto his knees and draped his arms around Mercy’s neck, urging him closer so he could plant a brief kiss against his plush lips. “Just tell us you love us and you can’t live without us.”
Aodhan climbed on the bed behind him, settling in close enough Cal could feel the full length of his erect cock press between his ass cheeks. Then he reached around, caging Calix in between his arms, and brushed a lock of Mercy’s hair off his forehead. “We love you and can’t live without you.”
Cal leaned back into him when he rested his chin on his shoulder.
“You’ve got to be the most needy, incorrigible mates in all of the universe,” Mercy muttered, but his hands finally dropped to his pants, and he started to untie them.
“There must be something wrong with me, because despite how annoying you are, I do in fact love you and hate the thought of ever having to be without you.”
“There’s nothing wrong with you,” Calix said. “You’re perfect.” When they’d been injured and in danger, he’d come running, even risking himself in the process. “Our perfect First.”
Cal didn’t know how he’d ended up here, but he wasn’t about to complain.
In this bed, in this house, on this planet, he’d finally found the peace he’d always searched for. Maybe he didn’t deserve it. Maybe he’d always been and would always be a monster.
But with them, it didn’t matter.
Because they could be monstrous together.
Thanks for reading Mercy, Aodhan, and Calix’s story! Looking for more? Have you read Zane’s book, Devil May Breathe? Read on for a short excerpt!