I gave a lopsided shrug. Okay, he had a point.
“And we didn’t go out to eat. We ended up ordering pizza, went back to Andrew’s house, and we talked about Sunday. Ash is scared to death that she’s going to lose Andrew, too. Dee still wants to murder Blake. I spent hours talking them through this. It wasn’t a party you weren’t invited to.”
But I wasn’t invited at all, I wanted to say, but I knew that was stupid. “Why didn’t you tell me, at least? You could’ve said something. Then my imagination wouldn’t have run circles around me.”
He stared at me a moment, then pushed up, sitting beside me. “I meant to stop by when I got home, but it was late.”
So last night was a dream. Lameness officially confirmed.
“Look, I didn’t think about it.”
“Apparently,” I muttered.
Daemon rubbed the spot above his heart. “I honestly didn’t think you’d get this upset. I figured you’d know better.”
I was still flat on my back, too weary to move. “Know better?”
“Yeah, that you’d know if Ash pranced naked into my bedroom right now, I’d still send her packing. That you didn’t have anything to worry about.”
“Thanks for that image you implanted into my brain forever.”
He shook his head, huffing out a dry laugh. “This insecurity thing ticks me off, Kat.”
My mouth dropped open and I flew up, coming to rest on my knees. “Excuse me? Are you the only one who’s allowed to be insecure?”
“What?” He smirked. “Why would I be insecure?”
“Good question, but what do you call your little episode with Blake yesterday in the hallway? And that stupid question about me wanting to help Blake?”
He snapped his mouth shut.
“Ha! Exactly. It’s even more ridiculous for you to be insecure. Let me spell it out for you.” When my anger rose, the Source did, too. It skated over my skin. “I loathe Blake. He used me and was ready to turn me over to Daedalus. He killed Adam. There’s only a teeny tiny bit of me that can actually tolerate him. How can you even be any bit jealous of him?”
Daemon’s jaw popped. “He wants you.”
“Oh, dear God, he does not.”
“Whatever. I’m a guy. I know what other guys are thinking.”
I threw my hands up. “It doesn’t matter if he did. I. Hate. Him.”
He looked away. “Okay.”
“And you don’t hate Ash. There’s a part of you that loves her. I know you do and maybe not in the way you feel about me, but there’s affection there—there’s history. Sue me if I’m a little bit intimidated by that.”
I pushed off the bed, wanting to stomp across the room like a toddler. Maybe even throw myself on the floor. I’d work off some energy that way.
Daemon appeared in front of me and stepped forward, cradling my cheeks. “Okay. I see your point. I should’ve said something. And the stuff with Blake—yeah, it’s stupid, too.”
“Good.” I folded my arms.
His lips twitched. “But you’ve got to understand that you are who I want. Not Ash. Not anyone else.”
“Even if the Elders want you to be with someone like her?”
He lowered his head, brushing his lips along my cheekbone. “I don’t care what they want. I’m incredibly selfish like that.” He kissed my temple. “Okay?”
My eyes drifted shut. “Okay.”
“We’re good then?”
“If you promise not to give me any crap about going with you tomorrow.”
He pressed his forehead against mine. “You drive a hard bargain.”
“I do.”
“I don’t want you going, Kitten.” He sighed, wrapping his arms around me. “But I can’t stop you. Promise you’ll stay close to me.”
My smile was hidden against his chest. “I promise.”
Daemon kissed the top of my head. “You always get your way, don’t you?”
“Not always.” I placed my hands on his sides, drawing in his warmth. If I had my way, none of this would be happening. But that was the thing about all of this. I wondered if any of us would get our way.
His arms tightened, and I felt a sigh shudder through him. “Come on. Let’s get the bacon and eggs going. I need all my strength for today.”
“What, for…” I trailed off, realizing what he was saying. “Oh, yeah…Blake.”
“Yeah.” He kissed me softly. “It’s going to take a lot for me not to commit bodily harm. You know that, right? So extra bacon for me.”
Chapter 20
Dee was perched on the bottom step like a demented pixie about to unleash holy hell. Her hair was pulled back sharply, her eyes a bright and feverish green. A thin slash formed on her lips. Her fingers curled over her knees like razor-sharp claws ready to dig in.
“He’s here,” she said, gaze focused on the window beside the door.
I glanced at Daemon. A wolfish smile spread across his face. He wasn’t at all concerned about his sister’s murderous desires. Perhaps having Blake come here wasn’t a good idea.
She sprung from the step, throwing open the door before Blake even knocked. No one stopped her or even moved forward.
Surprised, Blake lowered his hand. “Uh, hi—”
Dee cocked back a slender arm and slammed her fist right into Blake’s jaw. The impact knocked him back a good three feet.
My mouth dropped open.
Andrew laughed.
Spinning around, she let out a long breath. “Okay. I’m done.”