them any reason to say I’m less than, that I don’t belong here because my dad was trailer trash. I make an effort with my appearance not because I care too much what people think but because it was important to my dad, and because it makes me feel closer to him.”
For a beat, we fell into silence, Josh’s revelations sitting heavy between us. I didn’t know what to say. On one hand, it seemed like a massive burden—feeling as if you had to look a certain way so your place in society would never be questioned. But on the other, it didn’t feel as if Josh was pandering to the stuck-up Variant elites. He was just trying to do his dad proud.
“Plus, have you felt how fucking soft this cashmere sweater is?” Josh grinned, obviously trying to lighten the mood. “It’s like butter.”
I smiled. “I think your dad would be proud of you.”
A wave of emotion crossed his features, and he cleared his throat, looking down. I wrapped my arms around his neck tightly, and he crushed me to him in one of his signature hugs.
When the giant speakers came to life downstairs, the heavy bass of some hip-hop song interrupted the moment. Josh kissed me firmly on the lips, only just teasing me with his tongue before pulling away.
“Let’s get down there before Ethan comes looking for us.” He took my hand and led me down the stairs. I was worried for a second I’d upset him by unwittingly bringing up his parents, but if anything, he looked a little lighter—as though a burden had been lifted, now shared with me.
But to me, it didn’t feel like a burden. I knew more about Josh and his history, and I couldn’t wait to hear even more—to learn more about each of them. It felt like a gift. I smiled and squeezed Josh’s hand as we descended into the growing chaos of the party.
I was looking forward to seeing Ty. He’d been at work all day but had promised to be at the party. Even Alec had grunted noncommittally when we asked if he’d come. It wasn’t a yes, but it wasn’t a no either.
I wasn’t sure if he’d be there, but I wasn’t sure of a lot when it came to Alec. He’d relaxed considerably since all the secrets between us had been laid on the table; he wasn’t flinching away from my touch now that we knew his ability could take pain away as well as inflict it. But his unreturned declaration of love sat awkwardly between us. Over the past couple months, he’d become quiet—not necessarily angry or defensive like before, but certainly more thoughtful. Add that to the fact that any time I tried, he found a way to avoid sex with me, and I knew something more was festering in that complicated, broody mind of his.
I was hoping the party would give us all an opportunity to relax a little, but I was also hoping it would allow me to get to the bottom of the Master of Pain’s latest issue with me.
Two
The setting sun cast the vast, open spaces of the Zacarias mansion into shadow. As Josh and I reached the bottom of the stairs, someone flicked the lights on, and the ostentatious chandelier in the foyer tinkled to life.
A maid opened the heavy front door, letting another few partygoers in. I didn’t know them, but they waved to Josh as they passed, following the music to the back of the house.
We trailed after them, our hands swinging between us.
“You kids have fun tonight. You’ve all more than earned it.”
We turned to see Uncle Lucian emerge from the corridor leading to the west wing. A black-clad Melior Group agent walked ahead of him, carrying a small piece of luggage toward the garage.
“Thanks, Uncle Luce.” Josh leaned down slightly to give Lucian a hand slap–fist bump combo.
Lucian had survived the rescue mission, but not unscathed. He was in a wheelchair, and despite the healer’s best efforts, it didn’t look as if he would ever walk again. The damage to his hip and spine was just too severe.
“Are you sure you don’t want one of . . . the guys to go with you?” I was about to say one of us, but I wasn’t entirely comfortable including myself. The guys were incredibly close to their uncle, and I still wasn’t sure how I fit into that dynamic.
“I’ll be fine.” He smiled. Despite being confined to