Attor found himself wandering the dark, lifeless streets of a sleeping city. He didn’t know what was worse, losing to V, or having his humiliation viewed over a million times on the internet. Attor was sure he would have conquered his brother. He was the better dragon, he was the better leader, and he was the only one who truly understood what was at stake.

After the fight had ended, Attor made a quick beeline for the showers. He wanted out of the Nest as fast as possible. Grabbing the first set of clothes he saw, he threw them on and made his way up to the city. Attor’s head was spilling over with thoughts of contradiction. Should he sit back, accept the result, and trust V to keep the clan safe.

“Trust,” Attor scoffed to himself. The sounds of his heavy boots on the pavement hung hauntingly on the night’s air. “How can I trust someone who clearly isn’t worthy?” Attor answered his own question with a shrug and a definitive ‘no.’

“So, if I can’t, then where does that leave me?” Attor’s conversation with himself may have looked odd. However, not a single soul was out to witness his verbalized inner chatter. He stopped walking, tilted his head as the thought skated around the perimeter of his mind.

“Rogue?” The word tumbled off his tongue with a caution of the ripples that it would cause.

“But what choice do I have?” A crease in his brow formed as he struggled to come up with a different scenario.

With a sudden release of his held breath, Attor started walking again. A decision having been made—he would go to ground. He would find Q, kill him and his merry bunch of feather fuckers, save the clan and be the hero. Of course, his brothers could never find out until he was holding the proof that he was indeed the true leader of the clan.

Attor nodded to himself, silently agreeing with his own terms and conditions.

“Attor?”

He spun around at the sound of his name and saw Payton standing outside her apartment with a group of women and his brother.

“Ahh… fuck me,” Attor groaned quietly to himself, he hadn’t been concentrating on where he was wandering. Rolling his eyes, he slowly wandered back toward them. “Evening Payton,” he said with a flat tone. Looking to his brother he gritted out, “V.” Attor hid a grin at the dark, red swollen chin his brother was sporting, then he looked to the ladies and nodded a silent greeting.

“Brother,” V said calmly. He held no animosity toward Attor, he just hoped it was over now, and together they could go back to keeping the clan safe and secure.

“What are you doing wandering the streets?” Payton asked.

“If you’re taking up a new occupation as manwhore…” Kylee chimed in, “… I have a new credit card that needs breaking in.” She winked with a wiggle of her eyebrows.

Attor looked at Kylee. “Nice to see you again, Kylee. But alas, manwhoring isn’t within my skillset.” Attor’s voice was light and friendly, he even surprised himself how carefree he sounded. Maybe this silent rogue business would be easier then he anticipated.

“You’re kidding, right?” Kylee laughed. “You have the skills, and if you need the confidence boost? I offer myself as tribute.”

“Slut,” Payton coughed the word hidden within a laugh.

Kylee looked at her best friend, eyes wide with mock shock. “Don’t be saying that like it’s a bad thing.” She laughed. “You got yourself a huge chunk of wood.” Pointing to V, who just rolled his eyes at yet again being referred to as a tree. “Can’t blame me for wanting to get me some of that, too.”

Attor looked at the other woman standing just behind Kylee. “Nice to meet you…” he paused, not knowing her name.

“How rude of me. Sorry,” Payton said. “Attor this is Taryn. She’s taken our duo act and made it a trio.” Payton smiled at her friend.

Attor extended his hand to hers, giving it a soft but firm shake. “Nice to meet you, Taryn,” he said. “Be careful with these two.” Looking to both Payton and Kylee. “They’re troublemakers.”

“Hey big fella, I resemble that remark.” Kylee winked and blew him a kiss.

“Well, this has been nice, but I’m on my way home.” Attor looked at his brother. “I just needed some fresh air to clear my mind.”

V asked, “Did you find the clarity you sought?”

Attor took a few beats to think before he nodded and replied, “Indeed I did, brother.”

“I’m so pleased for you, Attor.” Payton’s voice was filled with love for her mate’s brother.

“I will see you at home, V,” Attor said. “Nice to meet you, Taryn.” Nodding to the new face then looked at the other two. “Ladies, just stay out of trouble, huh?”

“Says the man who’s going viral on the tube?” Kylee laughed. “See you, next time, Attor.”

“Be safe,” Payton said, as she watched Attor walk briskly down the street into the awaiting darkness far away from street lights.

“I might go home too, Payton.” V took her in his arms and held her tight. Placing his lips next to her ear he whispered, “I need to make sure he gets home. He was…” he shrugged slightly against her body, “… too calm.”

“I’ll see you tomorrow.” Payton tightened her arms around him “You do what you need to, I’m here when you’re free.”

V growled deep into her ear, “Gawd, I love you.”

“I love you more,” she replied, kissing his soft lips. She released her mate to check on his brother.

“Watching them leave is almost as good as seeing them coming,” Kylee commented as she watched the men walk away.

“Maybe for you,” Payton said. “I prefer to see him coming.” She smirked with a wink at her innuendo.

“Dirty bitch.” Kylee laughed, then turned to Taryn. “Well, now you have met two of the brothers.” She smiled. “They’re gentle giants.”

“Huh?” Taryn flicked her head back, she was distracted.

“Something wrong?” Payton asked.

Taryn took a deep breath, in through her nose and out through her mouth, as she looked over to her friends “Can’t you smell that?”

“Smell what?” Payton asked.

Taryn took another deep breath. “The most intense lemon meringue pie.” With another deep sniff, she added, “And fresh cream.” Opening her eyes, she said. “Who’s making that this late at night, and where can I get some. That smells a-maz-ing.”

“Pie?” Payton swallowed hard. “Lemon pie?”

Taryn nodded. “Not just pie, but the most amazing pie I’ve ever smelled.”

“Great,” Kylee exclaimed. “Now I want fucking pie.”

Payton felt the blood drain from her face. If this meant what she thought it meant, life as they all knew it was about to take a massive curveball.

“You okay, Payton?” Taryn asked. “You look pale?”

Payton shook her head and forced a smile. “Yeah, I’m fine.” She nodded and wrapped her arms around herself. “Just a bit cold.”

“Right, yes,” Taryn nodded. “I’m going, I’ll see you all later.” Taryn waved as she spun and made a quick step for her apartment a few blocks away.

“I’ll ring you tomorrow,” Kylee shouted as she followed Payton back into the warmth of the apartments.