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“THE DUKE KNOWS.” DR. Delph folded his arms and rested against the sill of his office window.
“But he said Eliza could stay,” Graham said. He felt the tension in the room swell, and even Selena, who thrived on turmoil and animosity, was silent.
“She’s dangerous.” Dr. Delph didn’t have to outline his point, but he did anyway. “She attacked Lia, and don’t think I haven’t heard about the nymph incident in the woods behind the factory.”
“Lia was Daisy’s fault, and she didn’t even bite the nymph—which Daisy, again, was encouraging her to do,” Graham said. “She can stay at my house, which should free up more of your time to focus on the poltergeist. She is clearly feeling neglected.”
“Do not think you can pass this blame off so easily, Graham. This situation is serious.”
“It is. I agree.” Graham’s shoulders squared, and he felt the familiar tug of his fangs. It always happened when he engaged in a heated debate with Delph or Selena.
The trigger normally prompted him to take a deep breath and cave to whatever demands were being made upon him. It was a useful technique that had kept him from losing control for centuries now, but he couldn’t do that where Eliza was concerned.
“I will take full responsibility for her actions,” Graham said, pressing his tongue up under his fangs as he closed his mouth, willing them to stay in place.
Selena stood and headed for the door.
“Where are you going?” Dr. Delph demanded. “This meeting isn’t over. We need you.”
“You need me?” Selena snorted. “Like you need a hole in the head.” She stopped in the threshold of the office and turned to glare at them. “You two never listen to what I have to say. You just keep dragging the worst of the worst up the mountain and expect me to force everyone to play nice.”
“You knew what we were signing up for here,” Graham said, earning a snarl from Selena.
“You want to take responsibility for the mess she makes? Fine. But if anything happens to my pups, heaven help you, Pierce. Heaven help you.” Her eyes flashed yellow, driving the threat home.
She disappeared, and Graham heard Lia greet her in the hallway with a startled gasp. She’d been watching the twins nap in one of the conference rooms while they attempted to have a council meeting.
“How is she?” Graham whispered to Dr. Delph as they both turned to watch Selena exit the building with a baby carrier in each hand.
Delph shrugged one shoulder. “Sharper than usual, but understandably so. She’s a good mother, but you saw how she was with Logan. She’s going to need more help eventually, and she’s still struggling to accept Logan’s union with Zelda and the pack they’ve formed.”
Graham shook his head. “I didn’t see that one coming. I was holding out hope that Selena would eventually warm up to the idea. She’s twice the alpha her brother is.”
“And she has twice the bark and ten times the bite,” Dr. Delph added under his breath. “I think she’s finally seeing the window she missed, and I doubt our new romantic ventures are setting well with her either.”
“She’s lonely.” The idea surprised Graham, but he could see it now. He’d been lonely too, for the longest time.
“Imagine that.” A shadow of a grin lit Delph’s face.
Graham watched Selena through the window, loading the twins into the back seat of her Ford. The bitter line of her mouth softened as she kissed the top of Billy’s head and then buckled him into his car seat next to Emma’s.
“The Raymore Clan will want their heirs back eventually,” Dr. Delph said. “As much trouble as you and I have faced for our recent choices, Selena stands much more to lose. She’s going to need us. Stay close to home this year.”
Graham took a deep breath and nodded.
Eliza would need him, too. And he needed her. They were a needy bunch in Spero Heights, but he supposed that was why the Fates had led them to each other. He wondered how they were going to feel about Delph’s plan to cut back on their charity missions.
“Maybe they’ll take a vacation,” Delph answered the unspoken question with a dry smile.
“Let’s hope.”
Coming soon...