Chapter Fourteen

The Hounds lived in a house that my house wanted to become when it grew up.

They were in Nine Mile Falls—a neighborhood that wasn't the wealthiest in Spokane but was up there. And if you preferred to have a lot of land between you and your neighbors, this was where you'd get that along with a mansion. The nicest neighborhoods didn't have that. And that's what I drove up to—a Victorian mansion sitting pretty amid acres of private land.

The house formed a U around the circular drive, the wings obviously newer than the center building. But whoever had built the newer construction had done it right, seamlessly weaving the wings onto the main house so that the old matched the new.

I stared up at the enormous structure, its roof crowned with several peaks and turrets, and felt small. Lost. Ground lights illuminated the drive and shot swaths over the sides of the house, but most of the windows were dark. Foreboding. I didn't belong there. The house knew it, and I knew it. I grabbed my seat belt and pulled it back on.

But then the front door opened and Dominic rushed out.

My fucking potion failed me. One look at the man, and I was grateful to be sitting. My knees had gone weak. Almost as weak as my heart. I wanted him. Desperately. Damn stupid, stubborn heart. Could it be that my desire had nothing to do with the spell? That would mean one of two things—either Hades's spell didn't force people to fall in love or I wasn't their destined mate. One of those possibilities delighted me more than it should and the other did the opposite.

I got out of the car. “Hey.” I looked up at the house. “This is, uh, big.”

“I know.” Dominic grimaced at the house. “We kept expanding, each of us adding our ideas to the mix, and we took it too far. It was like, 'Hey, I want a theater room,' then, 'I want a conservatory,' then, 'I want another turret even though we have like fifty of them.' On and on until we ended up making a mausoleum for Tim Burton.”

I couldn't hold back my snort.

“Oh, thank the Gods.” He pulled me into a hug. “I thought there was something wrong.”

“And my snort convinced you that there isn't?” I teased.

“Yup.” He grinned, then nuzzled into a kiss.

I allowed it because of my plan.

All right, I enjoyed the hell out of it. I had to grip his shoulders to keep standing.

When Dominic finally eased back, he gave me a grim look. “Angel, there's something I've been meaning to tell you. I wanted you to meet the others first, but now I'm thinking I should have prepared for this. I think I fucked up. I shouldn't have let you come here without telling you everything. I'm so sorry. Now, it's going to get sprung on you and I . . . shit. I don't know how to make it easier on you.”

My heart lurched. There went my anger. Gone. Poof. I struggled to recapture it. Regardless of what Dominic said, I didn't want to be shared by three men. Frankly, it sounded like a lot of work and headaches. Not to mention the aches I'd feel in other places. So, I could forgive him, but that didn't mean I could keep him.

“Just bring her inside already,” Darius said in a grumbling tone.

He must have been at the door, but I couldn't see him. More importantly, he couldn't see me. Dominic was shielding us from each other and it was also dark. As soon as I stepped into view, my plan would unfold. The men would both get the surprise they deserved. It would be fantastic. And yet, my hands started to tremble.

“I need to tell her about what she's walking into,” Dominic growled over his shoulder. “Give me a fucking second.”

“You don't know for sure that she's the one. In fact, I'm certain that she isn't. So, why don't you bring her inside and we can determine that before we put her through all the rest of it?”

I froze. Darius was certain that I was the one. So certain that he was ready to reject Dominic's woman for me. Yeah, I was the same woman, but go with me on this. They were both sure that I was their destined mate. That made the odds of it being true pretty good. Just one hound left to convince. Except that I didn't want this. Right? Right.

“She's the one,” Dominic said. “You know how I feel about her, Darius.”

“And you know how I feel about my prospect,” Darius shot back.

“For fuck's sake, Darius, we're both right,” Dominic growled. “Just give me a second to explain a few things to her and then everything will make sense.”

That's right. Dom knew that I was the same woman Darius wanted. But what Dominic didn't know was that I knew he knew. He thought I was just as clueless as Darius was. And he was trying to prepare me before I got a look at Darius. It was like a classic comedy skit. Who's on first?

Well, I wasn't laughing.

Before Darius could respond, I stepped out of Dominic's arms and met his stare. “And what is it that you think you feel for your prospect , Darius?”

“Amélie?” Darius swayed back on his loafers. “What are you . . . ?” He made a strangled sound.

“Surprise!” I said as my sweet smile shifted into a glare. I swiveled that glare from Darius to Dominic.

Dominic, who'd been ready to tease his brother, stopped to frown at me. “Hold on. You knew? You knew who Darius was?”

Suddenly, Darius burst out laughing. Not the reaction I was going for. I went back to glaring at him as he laughed and laughed and laughed.

“What are you two assholes doing out here?” a third man joined us.

He had the same coloring as the other two, with the same haircut, though a slightly larger physique. I couldn't tell what color his eyes were with the only light coming from the overheads on the porch, but I had a feeling they'd be gray, probably with glints of silver or gold in them. Hades hadn't changed the mold much with these three. I mean, if you find perfection, why fuck with it?

“And you're the third?” I asked. “Hold on, don't tell me. It's coming to me.” I held up my hands to my forehead as if I was getting a psychic vision. “Your name begins with the letter D!”

The man shifted toward me, his expression annoyed until his stare met mine. Then he went still. His face went slack. He strode up to me and looked me over. I looked back.

There were differences there. The men weren't triplets. They each had a distinct face. And this man's face was pure magic. I couldn't tell you what it was. I don't have the skill needed to describe what precisely made him so handsome, if it was the long slope of his nose or the way his cheekbones slid down to a masculine jaw. It was just an attraction. Instant attraction on a deep level. So deep, I could practically hear gongs going off inside me, announcing the arrival of the man of my dreams.

Wait. Wasn't that position already taken by Dominic?

“Hello, Amélie,” my dream man said. “I'm Declan.”

I wanted to say something witty, or at least sharp. Like, “Of course you are.” But I was too busy clenching my hand into a fist to keep from touching him. So I just said, “Hello, Declan.”

Declan turned to look at the other two. “It's her. We've found our mate.”

“Damn it, Declan! I haven't told her about all that yet,” Dominic said.

“I have,” Darius said. He smirked at me. “You figured it out, you cunning girl. That's how you knew our title. Not because of some book. And that's why you kept asking those questions.”

“It didn't take a genius to put the pieces together,” I said. Then I grimaced at Dominic. “Even though some pieces were smaller than others.”

“You knew who Darius was?” Dominic growled at me. “And he told you about the mating thing? You knew, and you didn't say anything to me?”

“Excuse me?” I growled back. “I didn't figure it out until this morning when I talked to Darius. But you knew that I had met Darius. I told you about Darius yesterday. I told you how much you looked alike and how you had said similar things to me. And you said it was a fucking coincidence!”

Dominic winced.

“You were having a grand ol' time, weren't you?” I plowed on. “You loved hearing about me drenching Darius in that potion. And all his declarations made you even more certain of who I was, but did you tell me about it? No. You couldn't tell me because then you'd have to explain all of it. And you didn't want to tell me all of it.”

“You fucking knew?!” Darius shouted at Dominic. “All this time we've been arguing over who found our mate when we were both talking about Amélie and you fucking knew?”

“Yes, all right, everyone knew,” Declan drawled. “Dom, you shouldn't have kept that from us. Not about this. About her. She's too important.” He looked at me. “I'm sorry, Amélie. This isn't how this should have gone.”

“Look, we just met, so I'm not going to give you as much shit as I'm about to heap on them,” I said. “But how exactly do you think this should have gone?”

Declan shrugged. “We should have eased you into it. You needed to get to know all of us before hearing whatever it is that Darius told you.” He paused to glare at Darius. “Although his motivations were wrong, I'm with Dominic on waiting to tell you. This isn't the sort of thing you just spring on someone.”

“Really? Not even after you spend an amazing night together and you're talking about sticking around forever?”

Declan's dark brows rose. He glanced at Dom, but he was staring at me with a soft look of regret and adoration. “Especially not then,” he said. “Look at him. He couldn't risk losing you after confirming who you are. As I said, you're too important. This needed to be done with care.”

I rolled my eyes. “I take back that whole thing I just said. You deserve as much shit as they do.”

“Why?” Declan scowled at me.

“Because I should have been told before I slept with him!” I pointed at Dominic. “ Before I made myself vulnerable and opened up to him. Before I started feeling things that I don't want to fucking feel for three goddamn men! I needed to be told he was a package deal before I bought the single serving. This isn't just false advertising, it's bait and switch.”

Declan's eyes twitched. “I see your point.”

“Angel, I didn't know for sure that you were the one until after we got close enough for me to sense it.” Dominic hurried over to me and took my hand. “I was as honest with you as I could be. I told you about us. I told you about Hades.”

“You failed to tell me that he cast a spell on you or that the spell might affect me!”

Dominic jerked back. “Why does that upset you?”

“Oh, I don't know,” I huffed. “Maybe I don't like someone messing with my free will, Dom. I can't trust anything I feel for you.”

“That's not true,” Declan said. “The spell Hades cast is meant to draw our mate to us, nothing more. It doesn't interfere with free will. Your feelings are yours alone.”

I went still. “I can't trust you.”

Declan nodded as if this were perfectly acceptable. “No, you can't. You don't know me. So, why don't you take some time to think things over? You're a witch, right?”

“Yes. So?”

“Cast a spell on yourself. Free yourself from all influence. Do a cleansing. Then, when you know for certain that what you feel is real, maybe you'll be generous enough to forgive us for handling this poorly and give us a chance. I would be very grateful to have an opportunity to get to know you, Amélie.”

“Oh, you're good,” I said. “Very reasonable.”

“Yeah, Declan's the voice of reason,” Dominic huffed. “Come on, angel. I know it hasn't been long but—”

“It's been a day, Dominic,” I cut him off. “I rushed into things with you. Crazy fast. I knew it was too fast. I knew it was insane. I even knew it was impossible to feel so much in so little time. But I did it anyway. Because I connected with you like I've never connected with another man. I felt like we were kindred souls. Like I knew you. I thought I could trust you.”

“I know. And I feel the same. But I should have slowed down. You even told me to. I just couldn't stop myself.” He hung his head. “Please, Amélie. Give me another chance. I didn't want to scare you off. I thought I'd have more time with you before I brought you here. I thought I could . . .”

“What?” I demanded. “You thought you could what?”

“I don't know what I was thinking,” Dom admitted. “I guess I thought it would all work itself out. That maybe you'd love me enough to be open to this.”

“Well done,” Darius muttered.

“Oh, fuck off, Darius,” I snarled. “Sure, you did the right thing and told me everything from the start, but that doesn't matter.”

“Why not?” Darius whispered.

“Because I don't like you.” I looked at Dominic. “I'm sorry. But if being with you means that I have to be with him too, I can't do it.”

“Fuck!” Dominic shouted as I strode to my car. “Angel, please!”

“Let her go,” Declan said. “This is a lot for her. You've only given her a day.”

“A lot?” Darius huffed. “She gets three men while we have to share her.”

“And you're genuinely surprised that she doesn't like you,” Declan drawled.

“Fuck you.”

Meanwhile, Dominic chased after me. “Angel, please don't go.” He grabbed my hand. “Please, let's talk about this.”

I twisted it out of Dom's grip and got into the car. He held the door open and dropped to his knees. “We don't love each other yet, but it's coming. I feel it. I know you feel it too. You know how incredible this could be. Darius can be an asshole, you'll get no argument from me about that, but he's also a good man. He's sacrificed a lot to keep people safe. You could have something real with him too if you just give us a chance. All three of us. Just think about it. Most people are lucky to find one great love in their lifetime, and we're offering you three great loves that will be true to you forever. Please, don't go. Just stay a little while longer. Come inside. Talk this through with us.” His eyes widened when I glared at him and he hurried to add, “Or we can talk about other things. Just casually get to know each other. I'll make you a late dinner.”

“Dominic, let her go,” Declan called.

“No!” Dom roared at Declan, keeping his stare on me. He lowered his voice to say, “I'll never let you go.”

“Dominic, you are sounding like a crazy stalker,” I said calmly. “The more you talk, the faster I want to run.”

He flinched. His beautiful eyes filled with tears. One of them slid down his cheek. “I don't know what to do.”

It just about broke my heart. I wanted to slide off the seat and into his arms. To hold him and wipe away his tears. I wanted to make sure that he never cried again and kick the ass of anyone who tried to interfere with that.

But I was from a long line of witches—strong women and men with pure souls. I wouldn't embarrass them by being weak now.

I started the car. “If you let me go now, there may be a chance for us. But the longer you keep me here, the smaller that chance becomes.”

Dominic shot to his feet. “All right. Go, angel. Fly away. But be careful. Don't let your guard down for a second. And go straight home. Michael is still in that house next door.”

“Fuck,” I muttered. “I forgot all about him.”

“We've got cameras on his place,” Declan said as he stepped up to my car. “I'm sure your ward will keep him out, but if he tries to enter your property, we'll know, and we'll be right over.”

“We'll be taking care of him soon anyway,” Darius muttered, his expression still butt-hurt.

“How soon?” I asked.

Dominic stepped back and shut my door. “In a couple of hours. So, as I said, be careful, angel. Stay behind your ward and don't come out. Not for anything.”

“Dom . . . I said I'd help you. Don't go tonight. I can—”

“We were made to handle this,” Dominic said stiffly. “We don't need your help. Go home, Amélie.”

What did I expect after rejecting him so cruelly? I wanted to leave, and he was letting me go. I couldn't balk now.

“You be careful too, Dominic.” I pulled around the circle and drove away from the Hounds of Hades.

Looking back in my rearview mirror, I saw them standing together—three beautiful, strong men, staring after me as if I were taking their entire world with me.

“This is utterly insane,” I whispered.

And something inside me whispered back, “What's insane is that you're driving away from them instead of getting out of this car and running back into their arms.”