Mated to the Chaos - Georgette St. Clair Page 0,7
in their show of force.
Heath leaned in, kissed Asherah, and nodded toward the elevators.
“That could be us, Carlo.”
Carlo snorted. I’d have done better than that.
“Is that a promise?”
Carlo caught himself and glared at his mate across the table. I don’t hate you, Nanshe. Her intake of breath and the way her pulse jumped in her throat when he said her name made him hard. But I can’t do this. Have you ever thought the Chaos would only destroy me again?
“Have you ever thought maybe it would make you more powerful?”
“I’ve never cared for power, witch.”
Nanshe’s face twitched. “I am not a witch, wolf. I’ve said this already. Stubborn male.”
Carlo shook his head, paying attention to who was coming in next. Kalinda walked in, her red dress a statement against her chocolate skin and hair. She’d worn her high bun, showing off the lines of her face in vivid relief. She sat down next to Asherah.
Silva leaned over and whisper-shouted in Kalinda’s ear. “I get it. You’re beautiful and everybody likes you, but did you really have to show me up with that entrance? Damn! Hot momma in the house!” She looked up at the rest of the group, feigned shame on her face. “Oops, was that out loud. Sorry not sorry. It’s not easy being beautiful.”
Kalinda smiled. “Thanks, Silva. Love you too. Muah.”
Behind her was Yon, with his ever-changing face like some psych evaluation. Following closely was dark-skinned Amalia, with her wild hair and a thick, white line painted across her eyes. Directly behind her was Lennox, which was probably a good move.
Romano had never liked that Lennox had once thought he’d be able to enchant Kalinda with his white hair and dove-gray eyes. He’d wanted her to be his consort. It hadn’t worked out like he had hoped though. In fact, the three mages were the some of the strongest in Encantado, and they all answered to the more powerful Kalinda.
Not that any of them didn’t have weaknesses. They’d seen that when Heath had attacked and nearly killed Silva, by extension almost taking out Kalinda as well. Power didn’t mean untouchable.
Speaking of Romano, he’d followed Lennox into the room, keeping his eyes on him the entire time. The massive wolf growled at mage and made him step out of his way before he leaned down and kissed his mate soundly. She giggled into his mouth, pulling him closer and running her fingers through his hair before she let him pull back.
“Later, big boy.”
“It’s a date.”
Romano’s response and smile were wolfish.
“Like that?”
Goddess save him from a persistent mate.
“I think he did a marvelous job.”
You don’t worry about what another male does.
Nanshe blinked over at him innocently. “Why not when you don’t want me?”
Carlo’s growl ripped through the room, and he snapped his teeth at Nanshe. Of course, he’d made himself look like an ass when those in the room stared at him.
“Dude, if you’re getting that hot, go see Adonis. He can hook you up,” Romano suggested.
Heat spread through Carlo in a way that differed from the burning jealousy in his gut. No, what he’d used Adonis’s services for was not something he wanted reminding of.
“Adonis?” Nanshe questioned Romano but kept her gaze on Carlo.
“Yeah,” the clueless wolf continued, his smile big. Or maybe he wasn’t clueless. The bastard. “Adonis keeps the entertainment area. Think flexible and always willing.”
“Romano.”
He ignored Carlo’s warning. “Stamina is key, you understand.”
“Nanshe is perfect in every way, you mangy pup. Do not disrespect my mate again.”
Romano smiled bigger, stepping closer to Carlo and tapping him on the shoulder. “Duh. What are you talking about? I was speaking about slot machines. You can pull that lever whenever you’re ready! Loose and easy. What the hell did you think I meant?”
Carlo would kill him. Rip him into tiny pieces. Romano winked at him before standing next to two empty chairs to Arturo’s left, and Carlo realized he’d been had.
“You weren’t talking about the women? Seriously?”
“Never,” Romano answered immediately, his face becoming serious. “Your mate is all that’s important, and I just wanted you to see that.”
Carlo snorted, but he couldn’t help but think that perhaps Romano’s penchant for jokes was a way to hide a conniving level of intelligence.
“He’s right. I, for one, was never worried.”
Dominic came in next, Zoey at his side, with Giuliana and Pasquale bringing up the rear. They moved steadily into the space, nodding or greeting those in the room before Dominic and Zoey slid into the empty chairs in front of Romano.