“Fuck, I really didn’t need to hear that.”
I scoff at him.
“You’re sticking it in my brother’s ass, and vice versa. I think we’re even.” Mark and Darren just blink at me before Harleigh makes a gagging noise, and we all laugh.
“Alright, fair point. Let’s just try to keep the, uh, intimacy details out of our conversations.” Mark clears his throat.
“Yes. I’m definitely on board with that plan.” Harleigh is quick to agree. “Are you guys staying for dinner?” she asks them, and Mark shakes his head.
“Uh, no. Your guys are looking at you like you’re prey, and a father can only take so much. Rain cheque?” he asks, and she giggles, nodding.
“Definitely. Love you, Dad.”
“Love you too, sweetheart.” He gives her a hug before they leave.
Turning to us, she takes a step before freezing, a dark look crossing her eyes.
“So. That was interesting, huh?”
“Mhm,” we say in unison.
“Um… you guys all look like you want to devour me.”
I let out a growl as the other two take a step forward, and she yips.
“Come here, pet,” I taunt, and I can see her chest heaving.
“Umm, guys. I don’t think I can handle all three of you at once right now.” She swallows.
“What do you want to do then, pet?” I ask her, and she gives me a shy smile.
“One at a time while the other two just play with me?”
“Is that a question?” I ask her, and she chokes a little as a beep sound goes off and Colten groans.
“Dammit! We have to go. Dad has summoned us to his office.” He cringes and Harleigh’s face drains of colour.
“What the fuck? You haven’t heard from him in months,” Brian says, and Colten nods in agreement.
“I know, but it has to be something big. He’s asked for the four of us.”
Harleigh starts shaking, and I growl.
“Why the fuck is she terrified of your father?” I don’t like seeing her fearful. I need someone to stab. Quickly.
“I—I uh, I’ve never met him, but he’s not a nice man,” she whispers, and Colten curses, going to hold her in his arms.
“I know he’s not a great father, baby. But maybe he’s here to help us.” She just blinks up at him.
“Not a good father?” I ask, because really. If anyone understood shit fathers, it’s me.
“When I met Harleigh and Brian, I was a different person. Meaner, angrier. Living a lie to suit his picture of a perfect family, and she hates him for it. It’s nothing overly sinister, she just doesn’t like him.”
She scoffs.
“Fuck that. He’s an asshole, and I say we call Lucifer and Dad. We can’t go in there alone.” She closes her eyes and calls Lucifer ‘I need you’ while Brian calls Mark.
Within minutes, they’re both in our room and we all head to the office, Darren included.
Colten
I don’t like this.
I haven’t spoken to him in months, and barely mention Harleigh in passing because I don’t trust him, and I don’t need to hear his negative bullshit.
After him and Mom got divorced, I did my best to distance myself from him and his shit. I still have to keep up appearances at school though.
‘“You’re a legacy, Colten. Do us proud.”’
Yeah, like it’s even possible to please him. He’s a seedy son of a bitch, and sometimes I wonder if he coerced my mother into being with him.
She’s nothing like him. All sweet and caring, happy, and very much human. She’s a full-time nurse and refuses to speak to my father in any way since their divorce last year, and I don’t blame her.
Out of my parents, she’s really the only one I care about having a relationship with.
“Something doesn’t feel right about this,” I whisper to them just before reaching the office, and Lucifer nods.
