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hadn t thought about it, he admitted.
Angelic Ties 43
We said we ve give him time, Michel, Dex murmured, reaching
out to smooth some of Michel s blond hair out of his face.
He said he loved us. That means he s ready, right? Why would
he say it if he wasn t ready to be serious? To tell everyone about us?
I m no one s dirty secret. Michel shook his head as if to clear it and
stood. Thank you for the meal, Madigan. The words were stiff. I m
full. He turned and walked around the table before heading down the
hallway. The front door opened and slammed shut. Madigan sagged
into his chair in bewilderment.
Why is there always some emotional drama going on in this
house? Bren wondered, taking another bite of pasta. If he was trying
to joke around, it wasn t funny.
Oh shut up, Bren. Your smart mouth is unnecessary right now,
Cross snapped.
Dex interrupted, This is all a misunderstanding.
Bren glared at Cross. Don t tell me to shut up. He pushed back
from the table and stood. I think I need a little air myself. Food was
good, bright eyes. He stomped away from the table and went up the
stairs.
Cross made a noise of frustration before shoving away from the
table as well. I m going to find Michel and make sure he s not doing
something stupid.
Dex sighed. I guess I ll go after Bren then. He stood and kissed
Madigan on the cheek. Don t worry, Madigan. They re all just
overwhelmed emotionally and don t know how to deal with it. You
can tell your mom when you re ready.
Madigan felt tears prick his eyes as he stared down at the remains
of his supper. How had everything gone so terribly wrong in a span of
five minutes?
I m sorry, Madigan. This was my fault. I should ve waited to ask
you that, Yuri said. Madigan glanced up and was surprised to see
him still there. He d forgotten until he d spoken. I know human
family situations are delicate things, and I shouldn t have called you
44 Jana Downs
out like that. The angel sighed, looking tired. They re warriors who
aren t used to being vulnerable. You make them feel vulnerable, so
therefore they react a little more brashly when you hurt them than
they normally would. My question was out of line.
No, Madigan disagreed with a shake of his head. They had a
right to know. I really just haven t had time to think of that. I should
have, though. It s just that being here with you guys, separated from
the world, feels like a dream sometimes. Like it s separate from
reality. If you guys are permanent fixtures in my life, it only makes
sense that I tell my family all about you and my relationship to you.
He echoed Yuri s sigh and slumped down farther in his seat. I just
wish I hadn t messed up our meal. Everyone was getting along for
once. Yuri beckoned Madigan, and the nephilim went willingly into
his lap. He laid his head on Yuri s shoulder while the angel stroked
his back in slow, sure circles.
Angelic Ties 45
Chapter Four
His denial hurt more than I thought it would, Michel said before
Cross could say anything. He d felt the leader of Madigan s guardians
rise up to meet him as he circled the old bell tower downtown. He was
flying pretty high, using the layer of clouds as covering as he circled
the city.
I don t think he was denying us, Michel. He s just as lost on what
to do about this situation as we are. Cross s great red wings brushed
against his as they flew side by side. The caress was intentional and
had its intended effect. Michel shivered as tendrils of sensation
streaked down his back and nestled in his sac. We ve asked a lot of
him.
Michel tucked his wings to his body and dropped a few feet
before extending them out and catching the air to level him out. I
know that logically. His words hurt in the same way a child s does.
Ignorant comments often have a way of striking deepest without
meaning to. Love for an angel was not a fleeting thing. It was an
immortal thing, an emotion that consumed their very souls until they
became completely devoted to the objects of their affection. To be
given love and then to have it so cruelly taken away by some well-
chosen words was worse than carving out an angel s heart.
I think I m okay now, Michel added. I just needed a little
breathing room. I m sorry I lost my temper. The last thing he wanted
was to be a bother to Madigan and the rest of his men. He worked
really hard to make them all a family, and it wasn t fair of him to
burden any of them with his petty emotions. They all had enough to
deal with without having to worry about him, too.
46 Jana Downs
Everyone is entitled to lose it every once in a while, Michel.
Cross was above him now, circling him, showing off. As true as that
was, it still wasn t fair of Michel to add to Madigan s worries. One
day I want to be able to take Madigan up here. I bet he d really enjoy
it if he weren t flying for his life.
Michel smiled at the thought. We could play Toss the Nephilim,
he suggested. They shared a laugh over the image. Madigan would be
furious with them if they even hinted at it. Yeah. They were going to
have to do it when it was safe.
You ready to head back? Cross asked as they took a wide turn
that sent them soaring back in the direction of the house.
Michel nodded. Yep. I was just thinking about a nephilim
sandwich for dessert.
Hmmm, I m sure we could convince him of that, Cross agreed.
Madigan s sex drive had to be satisfied, and though he had been with
a few of them over the course of the day, he d want the main event
come bedtime. Michel s cock throbbed at the thought. There was
nothing better than Madigan and the others naked. Hey, Michel?
What is it, Cross? Michel asked. He d been so busy
contemplating their naked mate that he d missed the moment when a
thoughtful expression had fixed itself to Cross s visage.
You don t have to be so accommodating all the time, Cross
said. You re the perfect man for us, and we love you with all your
flaws.
Michel smiled. That was just what he needed to hear.
* * * *
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