Couldn’t argue with her there, and it was nice that I didn’t have to explain my colloquial sayings to Angel. Her years as a guardian angel on Earth had prepared her well for our friendship.

We hurried toward the lair portal to find Shadow had already stepped through. Just as I went to follow, I had a thought that jerked me to a halt. “You can’t go in there,” I said with urgency. “Wait here and I’ll tell Shadow he has to allow you entry.”

Her expression softened. “I appreciate you looking out for me, but Shadow and I have already reached an arrangement. For the time being, I’ll be allowed into the inner sanctum of Shadow’s life and power.”

“Really?” I blinked at her. “He’s usually very selective about who’s allowed into the lair.”

Angel let out a deep breath. “Yes. And it’s only because we both love you. That’s why he trusts me.”

The glow of her powered-up skin was near blinding as I pressed my face into her neck. “I love you too,” I murmured. “And even though Shadow won’t say the words, I’ve never felt so blessed to be loved by you guys.”

Her face softened. “Words are not worthy of the emotion, but I lived among humans long enough that I’ve never quite shaken the need to hear them. So thank you.”

Angel didn’t give me time to get caught up in my feelings, dragging me through the portal and into Shadow’s lair. As she’d predicted, there was no security trying to expel her; instead, she remained at my side as we strolled toward the firelit seating area, warmth washing over us as multiple sets of eyes turned our way.

We were the last to the party, and since the party was once again six powerful, sinfully sexy men, I was more than a little happy to have an extra set of tits on my side.

This merry band of psychos needed our perspective.

It was time for six to become eight.

35

I’d never spent a lot of time—outside of battle, that was—with Angel and the group of gods whom Shadow called his pack. As we made our way into the inner circle, I got to observe them in a more subdued setting, and I noticed something fairly odd.

Angel greeted Len, Lucien, Alistair, and Galleli politely, a certain level of mutual respect clear between all of them. Similar to how she treated Shadow when they weren’t fighting over me, of course. All of them had a history, one that was clearly filled with shared experiences and respect.

But here was where it got weird… She didn’t even look at Reece. I kept waiting for her to acknowledge him, even if it was only a simple head nod, but she was flat-out pretending he didn’t exist.

Well, well, well… What’s happening here?