The Puppet Assassin [TTR sequel]

The Puppet Assassin - Ch 24 [An Enticing Possibility -|- Dizelde]

Still, though, the words were hard to get out with the pressure of his presence behind me.

“Home,” I said quietly.

He stopped the gentle massage and I heard him move around me. He sat down next to me and picked up a pancake, using his knife and fork to help, and dropped it on my plate. He then helped himself to three. His face told me he was thinking, hard.

He took a bite and then looked up at me. Those blue eyes were so vibrant I had to look away.

“I have to clarify,” he said after he swallowed his mouthful.

I jerked my shoulders up, cutting a slice of my pancake.

“Do you have anywhere you consider home now?”

I looked up at him. “No.”

He smiled softly. “I understand you then.” His eyes took on a determined light. He reached over and before I could consider moving out of his range, he brushed my cheek. I breathed out softly as he pulled away, as swiftly as he’d stretched over. My heart was beating at its normal pace but thunderingly loud. My fork scraping the plate sounded ten times louder in the silence that spread across the kitchen. He just sat there, smiling slightly as he rolled up his pancakes and cut them into smaller mouthfuls. He picked one up with his fingers and plopped it into his mouth…

The eyes that latched onto mine were thoroughly amused.

“I’M NOT DOING SQUAT UNTIL YOU LIE DOWN AND SLEEP FOR AT LEAST TWO HOURS…”

I blinked in shock at the rage in Garth’s voice. There was a murmur of raised voices, voices that Lark could probably hear very easily and pick up on the conversation. I watched his face and saw as his eyes widened with disbelief. He laughed quietly and plucked up another bite.

“I’d quickly eat so that you don’t have to be here when Garth comes down. I figured this would happen when Luke went up there. Garth’ll make him sleep and then he’ll come down here and unleash his anger about being woken up so early on us.”

“But we did nothing,” I whispered, hoping that Garth wouldn’t hear this conversation.

“IF YOU THINK THAT I’M GOING TO SIT DOWN AND HAVE A LOVELY LITTLE CHAT WITH YOU RIGHT NOW, YOU’RE SADLY MISTAKEN. GET IN THE FUCKING BED, LUKE, AND DON’T MOVE AN INCH UNTIL I COME BACK UP… OR I SWEAR…” Garth’s British accent made his shouting seem a lot harsher.

Both Lark and I grimaced when we heard angry steps coming down the stairs. I cut off a large slice of pancake and stuffed it into my mouth. Today seemed like a good day to enjoy the garden outside. Hopefully I’d be able to avoid the entire crazy household.

“Right!” Garth burst into the kitchen. “You two! Have you had enough of your little intimate exchange?” He strode over to the fridge and yanked it open. “Have you told her about your alpha rules yet, Lark? Or were you just going to let it slide until there was no choice.” He grabbed a carton and began drinking from it, slamming the fridge shut.

I stared at him, confused. Alpha rules..? What…?

I was startled when Lark stood abruptly, shoving his chair back. A rippling snarl started deep in his throat and grew until I could feel the room vibrating with it. I inched away slowly while Garth gave him a bored look. I trembled. What was going on between them?

“Well, I’m guessing you made your choice,” drawled Garth.

“SHUT IT!” Lark snapped. It was the first time I’d seen him make an outburst. Even after that time I’d attacked Luke, he still hadn’t even raised his voice. “Garth, I’m letting this go because you’re in a shit. But if you speak any further, I will not hesitate to wake you up properly.”