Friends With The Monsters - Albany Walker Page 0,45

kitchen.

The doorbell chimes, and it startles me. I have to scramble to catch the cup from tipping off the saucer and crashing to the floor.

I place it back on the table and head toward the door. There are only a few people it could be, and I thought I scared them away yesterday. I expect the bell to chime again, but the person on the other side is much more patient than Gunnar was yesterday.

I can hear a shushed argument as I approach the door. “Ring it again,” Gunnar demands.

“No, you fool, she’s coming,” Calix replies harshly.

“Shut up, the both of you,” Grim intones.

I open the door and lean against it. “Back so soon?” I don’t want them to know I’m actually happy they’re here. Now I can demand some answers.

“May we come in?” Grim requests for the group.

I narrow my eyes. “You’ve never asked before,” I remind him.

He meets my stare. Waiting. I huff, but step back from the door and roll my wrist out in an invitation for them to enter. “I’m warning you, you better have come prepared to tell me what’s going on, or you’ll end up on your keisters, just like last night.”

Gunnar pushes his way to the front, shoving past Calix, and reaches the door first. “Of course, my lady,” he croons at me.

“You can stop all that shit.” I wave my hand at him, encompassing his whole body. “I’ll be thinking and acting with more than just my lady bits, thank you.” I make sure to give Calix a good glare too.

Grim makes a sound close to a choking cough. I’m tempted to slap him on the back a few times, but I don’t want to touch him. He replaced the sheer black shirt with a fitted black tee, but I already know what he’s hiding beneath it, and I did just promise not to let my vag lead the way.

I plant my hands on my hips when everyone makes it into the foyer. “So, what kind of conversation is this going to be?”

“What do you mean?” Grim looks at the others.

“I mean, is it a ‘hey, I’m really your dad and I’ve come to collect you and take you back to the underworld, because some miscreant stole you from my loving arms’ kind of a story?” Please don’t let that be the case. If I find out I’m lusting after my dad, I might just hurl. That’s a little twisted, even for me. “Or is this a ‘you were supposed to be dead, and we’ve come to kill you’ kind of thing? I’d like to know before I decide what room to take you guys to.”

Calix blinks at me several times. “Are we sure this is the right time?” he eventually asks, but he’s not talking to me, he’s asking Gunnar and Grim.

“Don’t be a pussy,” Gunnar snaps, and takes a step in front of the group. His face softens a bit, reminding me of the man who woke up on my bedroom floor instead of the bossy jerk from the club.

“I told you to knock that off.” I waggle my finger at him.

“What?” He looks around. “I’m not doing anything.”

“Yes, you are, and you know it. Trying to be all cute and shit.” I cross my arms over my chest and give him a disgusted sneer.

Gunnar’s mouth opens and closes a few times. “I don’t even know what to do with that comment. I’ve never been accused of trying to be cute.” He sounds completely baffled.

“Any room of your choosing will do fine, Damiana,” Grim supplies, ignoring Gunnar and his exasperation.

Calix nods his head. “This isn’t bad news, Damiana.” He looks to the others for confirmation, but no one else agrees with him.

“If I mess up my kitchen, I’m kicking your asses… I’ll...” I look at them, coming up short for threats.

“Yes, yes. Anything you’d like,” Grim agrees without me finishing. I give him the side-eye, but head down the hall toward the kitchen. I think I need some hot chocolate for this. And I’m not even going to offer them any. Ha!

“Ha, what?” Calix looks around like he missed the joke, and it’s then I realize I must have said part of my thoughts out loud.

“I’m not going to make you any hot cocoa.” I give him a sinister smile, as if it’s the most horrible harm he could suffer.

“Ooookaaaay.” He eyes me. “Is that code for something else?” he questions, not understanding what an amazing experience he’s about to

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