Page 21 of Final Shift
She rolled her eyes. “Don't you dare, Evie. This is not about you. I could have had a boyfriend if I wanted. Hell, Soren knocked on my door for a straight fourteen days when we were back in Joy Springs.” Her lips twisted. “He could have been a hell of a distraction.”
Soren was a physical specimen, for sure. Arrogant, like most of the Lords, but also viciously clever. I wasn't sure if I liked Soren or not. He felt impossible to get to know and kept his cards close to the vest. He was witty and funny and occasionally violent.
Most disturbing of all, he seemed a little obsessed with Moira. With Ethan hanging around Rowan's territory far more than he ever had, and Moira obviously pining over him, I fully expected whatever was happening between her and the other two Lords to come to a swift and violent conclusion.
I’d managed to take out two Lords without even trying that hard. Wasn’t sure I wanted to know the damage Moira might do if someone pushed her hard enough.
“He did something to you.” For a while, Moira seemed interested in Soren, too. Until one day, she wasn’t. Since that day, she has refused to talk about it.
Moira sighed. “Soren is a collector. I was not interested in becoming part of his display. He’s gone unchecked for too long. Women allow him to play with them and end up crying, discarded like a broken toy.”
Moira did not have to say she was no one’s toy.
“He wanted a temporary dalliance.” Sounded about right.
Moira surprised me by shaking her head. “He wanted to make me his mistress.”
My jaw dropped.
A thin smile didn’t reach her eyes. “His parents are pushing him to marry and create heirs. Soren has no interest in settling down. He thought I’d be amenable to moving into his territory, living at his Keep, warming his bed, and running his lands.”
“With zero commitment on his part,” I murmured.
What a stunning display of assholishness. Wow.
“Exactly. He’d pay me a generous stipend like a well-kept whore. His parents would be off his back, and I’d have all the appearances of power and wealth with a handsome Lord on my arm.”
“Many women would jump at his offer.”
Our eyes met. Moira’s lips twitched, and soon we were cackling like old hens at the absurdity of thinking Moira would ever agree to such a one-sided agreement. When Moira met someone worthy, she would die for them. Her loyalty took deep roots. Neither wind, nor hail, nor violent storm could shake her from her cause.
I’d been the ever-lucky recipient of Moira’s loyalty, and I tried never to take it for granted.
“I wondered why you were so pissed at him,” I said when I finally got myself together.
“He’s been backtracking ever since,” she said with a sigh. “Regardless, Soren and I wouldn’t work out. Especially not after this. Even before…” Moira shook her head. “After seeing everything you went through with Caelan, I’m not sure I’d ever want to be a Lady.”
“Even if Ethan was the Lord?” I hedged.
She snorted. “Ethan won’t take another Lady. His wall is made of titanium. Nothing gets through it.”
She studied her nails. “He has his fair share of women throwing themselves at him. Why would he want me and all the problems I represent when he can have no strings wherever he goes?”
I stared at her. “Problems?”
Moira shrugged. “Like everyone, I carry my fair share of baggage.”
I rose and made myself a cup of coffee from her Keurig. Not my preferred type, but Moira didn’t drink much coffee and had bought the machine for my visits. “I bagged two Lords,” I said lightly. “And look at all my bullshit.”
That got a laugh out of her. “True,” she said once I resettled. “But Ethan isn’t interested. He’s made himself remarkably clear about that. I know when I’m not wanted.”
Moira scooted closer to me. My bestie wasn’t prone to bouts of physical affection, but sometimes she needed the closeness of someone she trusted. I slung my leg over hers and clinked our mugs together. “If Ethan wants me, he’s going to have to write out a big sign and show up at my door with a boombox.”
“Fat chance in hell of him doing that,” I mused.
“Exactly.” She nodded. “Ethan fancies himself the strong, silent type, but if the dude wants to tangle, he’s going to have to spell it out like I’m illiterate.”
I snickered. “I love how we frustrate the men in our life so much they occasionally resort to violence.”
