Maddox hadn’t known Baden had let himself be killed all those centuries ago, but he’d suspected. They all had. Having that suspicion confirmed was worse than taking a blade to the heart. He should know!
He took his own advice and did a little deep breathing before he placed the popcorn bag in the microwave and said, “Why did you do it?”
The ensuing pause was so heavy they both struggled with their next breaths.
Baden bowed his head. His voice soft, he said, “That’s not important. Not anymore.”
“It is to me.”
“Drop it, Maddox. Please. Our reunion is strained enough. We don’t need the past rising up to make things worse.”
He didn’t point out the obvious. If the past wasn’t dealt with, it would rise up regardless. Instead, he gave a clipped nod. “Whatever you need.”
“Thanks.”
Beep. He grabbed the steaming bag from the microwave, burned his fingers and cursed as the bag slipped from his grip and hit the floor. “Two-second rule,” he said, and picked it up by pinching the corner between his fingers.
After pouring the kernels into a bowl, he met Baden’s gaze. “If left unchecked, evil grows. You know that as well as I do. At this rate, things are only going to get worse for you. Be prepared.”
Baden offered a clipped nod of his own, and for the first time, Maddox realized there was something missing from his friend. A gleam of hope in his eyes.
The coming months were going to be tough for all of them.
Better enjoy the calm while it lasts. Maddox patted the warrior on the shoulder. “Come on. Let’s go back to the gym and have ourselves a real party. You’ve missed out on a lot of shit since your death, and I’m making it my personal mission to ensure you do everything.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah. Starting with beer pong.”
Before they’d taken a step, the sounds of stampeding buffalo echoed from the stairs. A few seconds later, the entire group entered the kitchen, bringing the party to them.
“Did I hear someone say beer pong?” Paris asked. “Let’s make things interesting. Strip pong!”
A chorus of “no” rang out.
Baden even slugged Paris in the arm. “Keep your clothes on. Seeing your ass is on my Oh, No list, not my To Do list.”
“Oh, look at that.” Paris shook his head, his expression all about pity. “The big man thinks he’s funny.”
Reyes gave Paris’s arm a second punch and said, “He is. He’s also right. Your ass? No!”
Paris wasn’t deterred. “Not seeing it pains you, don’t even try to deny it, and pain is your jam. That’s the only reason you can live without getting a peek at my goods and services.”
Maddox watched as the guys set up shop on the counter and smiled, a sense of contentment finally settling over him...for now.
The Authors Want To Know
I STARTED WRITING with a goal to publish over fifteen years ago. In that time, I’ve had the pleasure of meeting—and falling in love with—a myriad of authors. These women have become my best friends, my confidants, my cheerleaders and sounding boards, my most admired, not to mention my source for the most incredible books! Gimme! I asked each author what she’d most like to know about the Lords of the Underworld. Here’s what the awesome women had to say:
Nalini Singh: What do you love most about writing a long-running series with recurring characters?
GS: Every time I sit down to tackle a new Lords of the Underworld book, I feel as if I’m transported straight into a holiday. Family comes together, inside jokes abound, and fights break out. In my case: The last cookie is mine! In the Lords’ case: I get to kill him! I’m once again surrounded by boundless affection and unbreakable loyalty. And let’s face it. I enjoy torturing these immortal warriors. Without heat and pressure there would be no diamonds. Also, I like pairing the men with women they never dreamed they could love. I like figuring out what the warriors hate most—and then making it happen to them. But most of all, I like the end result of their tests and trials: they are worthy of the love they’ve been given.
PC Cast: Gena, my love kitten, you write awesomely hot sex scenes. How do you keep them spicy and unique book after book?
GS: Before I can tackle the question, I just have to get this out of the way: purrrrrrr. Okay, now I’m ready, LOL. I remove myself from the love scenes completely, letting the characters drive every