9. LEVIATHAN

Chapter 9

LEVIATHAN

Rowan refuses to let me do anything but play the rag doll as he shoves me into a set of clothes that smell wholly like him. I just stare at him wide-eyed as he gives into his beast, the creature dragging me back to the armchair I was first stuffed in. He sits down and then pulls me into his lap before encasing me in a protective hold. If this was a completely different situation, I might have thought the gesture was sweet.

If I understood anything about my designation, I don't now. There's very few truths in the world of creatures that hold true for every designation. Unfortunately, there's a glaring truth smacking me in the damn face that I refuse to acknowledge. Instant attraction that results in a need to be so close to each other that I wouldn't mind if Amand or Rowan was wearing my skin as a suit can only be one thing.

Mates.

The problem is that mates aren't part of my life plan. I expected to enjoy my long life alone and in the safe space of my office. Adding mates to the equation complicates things and I despise complications. Vince is enough of an annoyance and I don't want more. Too bad Mother Nature is giving me the middle finger and telling my body that it's comfortable curled up in Rowan's lap.

I try to slip off to the side and sit in my own damn seat but the Basilisk isn't having it, his arms tightening around me until I'm all but suffocated by the snake bastard. When I hiss at him, hoping he'll let me go, I'm rewarded by that forked tongue licking up the side of my cheek.

Correction, he's a possessive snake bastard.

Amand is sitting across from us with an amused smile plastered on his face, his legs spread as if an invitation. My gaze narrows at him, silently letting him know that I will not be entertaining a second round even if my body is screaming to shift to the left just a little to feel Rowan's cock against the seam of my ass. There are clothes between us but I'm not sure it's really a barrier with the way they both shredded the fabrics earlier.

"Right, since your brother won't let me go, let's finish our discussion."

Amand's expression darkens as he pushes off the couch and stalks toward us. "Leviathan," he purrs, my name sounding like golden honey on his tongue. "Rowan is not my brother. While I might not submit to him, I enjoy his rough handling just as much as the next person." His sea-green eyes flash with desire as he places his hands on either side of the armchair we're in and then leans forward. His face hangs over mine before he turns and kisses Rowan firmly on the lips.

I'm smushed between them, heat building between the three of us until I feel that familiar drunk sensation start to take over my rational mind. As much as I both hated and loved losing myself to whatever that was, I need a break.

Using their kiss as a distraction, I wriggle from between them and plant my ass on the three-seater lounge beside them. I thought about standing by the door but that might ignite their need to chase again. Amand pulls away from Rowan, both of their eyes shifted to their creature's, black slits focused on my small form. "Running away again, Lev?"

"No. We're just done talking so I'm ready to go home." I point to the two of them. "And neither of you are going to follow me." I feel like a kid telling off their parents but that makes this situation weird. My nose scrunches up in disgust at the image that follows as I wait for Amand to sit back down or pull away from Rowan in the least. We are professionals and this whole thing got out of hand.

I don't even know what time it is but it has to be some ungodly hour in the morning where I would rather be sprawled out on my couch.

When neither of them responds, I realize I'm not going to get an answer.

Slowly, I stand up and force a smile onto my face to hide every other emotion swirling around in my head. "Great talk. This was informative." It wasn't. They learned about my investigation and all of the evidence I found. They shared barely anything because none of them have the skills I do. Being able to smell magic is a one-of-a-kind trick. Being able to stake out for chunks of time without needing to move, eat, or even use the bathroom is a helpful skill as well. I could go on but the main fact is that there's still an Omega wolf out there and my attraction to these Basilisks have taken away an entire 24 hours.

"It was," Amand purrs as he straightens and moves toward me.

I hold a hand up to stop his approach. Etiquette calls me to shake his hand. I will not be doing that. "And I'm going home." My gaze narrows at them again as I back up, tripping over our shredded clothes before reaching the front door. This feels oddly like a failed one-night stand and yet some part of me wants to stay and crawl right back into Rowan's lap.

Not the fucking time.

Neither one follows me as I stumble down the sidewalk, trying to keep my wits about me. I work fast but never that fast and I'm not acknowledging them as mates. Basilisks are reactive as fuck and I don't need that kind of chaos in my life. I'm desperately hoping that neither of them understood the pull between us so that I can continue on this case alone.

Like I always do.

For some reason, when I finally make it to my office, it feels empty. Even with the temperature cranked up, a literal sauna to anyone else, something is missing. My body aches from the wounds inflicted a few days ago, only made worse by Rowan's rough fuck.

I opt out of a shower as I head for my makeshift kitchen, pulling together everything I need for a coffee. A yawn escapes me as I turn on the machine, not soon enough watching the slow drip of dark bean juice hit the bottom of the glass carafe. I really should call Vince and tell him that I'll leave this case alone.

That I can't work with the Petrovs.

Unfortunately, just the thought of them has me squirming for release. I reach down and adjust my cock, remembering that I'm still in their clothes. My nose dips to Rowan's shirt as I take a long sniff, his scent wrapping around me. His magic tightens until a moan tears from my throat, my entire body tensing at the involuntary sound.

"Nope. Fuck that. Absolutely not."

I rip off his clothes and stomp toward the bathroom. There will be no moaning and whining for men that could kill me. Not today. Not for Leviathan Dubois.