He was mine now, and with any luck—my future was about to belong to me right along with him.
9
LOUIS
Madness is rare in individuals—but in groups, parties, nations, it is the rule. — Frederich Nietzsche
The house was quiet when we got back. Tempest had already run up the stairs to get changed, claiming she couldn’t stay one more minute in her dress and heels.
The TV was off, the alarm had been on, we were safe, but the sound of the clock in the corner ticking off the time was just another reminder that we didn’t have enough of it, not before all of this would go to hell.
This farce was so very temporary.
I locked the front door and set the alarm, kicked off my shoes, and spotted the black box on the kitchen counter like it had always been there when I knew it hadn’t. Great. Already? What the hell was Cassian thinking? I picked up the box. No note. No ribbon. Just ominous packaging and the promise of super fun consequences later that evening.
Yay. Can’t wait.
With a curse, I cracked the lid open with two fingers and peered inside like it was a bomb about ready to go off.
Inside: a single vial and two slim white capsules.
I exhaled through my nose. “Another party favor. How thoughtful.”
Tempest’s voice floated in from the hallway. I smelled her citrus scent before she entered. “It’s for the meeting next week. You’ll need it.”
I turned, leaning on the counter. “Is it going to make my dick fall off? Or just rot slowly over time?”
She strolled in barefoot, wearing leggings and one of my black T-shirts like it was hers. Damn if she didn’t look fucking hot with how baggy it hung on her. “You’re so dramatic.”
I raised my eyebrows. “Says the woman drugging her husband.”
She rolled her eyes. “You knew what this was, Louis. Infiltrate. Learn what they’re hiding. Gain a few secrets on behalf of your wife. Play the game. Get out alive, live to see another day.”
“I’m playing it,” I said, holding up the vial. “But maybe I’d like to know the rules before I end up with three nipples or a sudden urge to bark at the moon.” I wasn’t stupid; I was just seeing how much she would actually reveal to me. Did the kiss do anything? Did it make her want to share more? Did it break any defense or were we currently on opposite ends of the chessboard still?
“I already know mine. It’s a win-win. Stop asking questions.”
I popped the cap off the vial with a dramatic sigh. “Fine. Cheers to healthy teeth and horse-level endurance.”
She narrowed her eyes.
“Just in case you can’t resist me and I need to put in the work. You understand.”
“I’ll try to rein it in,” she said dryly.
I tossed it back and made a face as the bitterness swamped my palate. “Ugh, tastes like shit, I prefer your mouth. Think you can relay that tidbit?”
“This isn’t a research project, Louis, but noted.” She smiled sweetly.
I returned her smile, and within a few seconds the entire room tilted. I stumbled a bit toward her, then almost fell to my knees. There was no warning, just complete inability to use my legs. I knew they were there but they weren’t doing what I was asking of them. Furthermore, I would feel them one second then the next I was numb.
“Louis?” Tempest’s voice snapped sharp. She rushed toward me. “Are you okay?”
I dropped to my knees. Groaned. Clutched my stomach. “Something’s wrong. I can’t feel my?—”
She knelt beside me, hands shaking. “What did you feel? Is it your heart? Do I call Cassian?—”
I opened one eye. Winked. “Made you slip and say his name.”