Page 105 of Sinful Mates

“Is that your way of telling me I stink?” I tell him. His lips turn up into a smile.

“No, you could never smell. But it might make you feel better, and you have been wearing the same clothes for two days now,” he says, watching me. Getting up, I walk upstairs. Grabbing some clothes, I place them on the bed and go into the bathroom, turning the shower on. Tobias comes in a few minutes later, placing a towel on the sink basin before leaving out again. I can feel he is nervous about something, and I find it getting to me. Washing quickly, I hop out of the shower and find Thaddeus in his basinet asleep, Tobias sits on the edge of the bed waiting for me.

“What is it?” I ask, drying myself. He doesn’t say anything, making me suspicious.

“I know you have something to say, so say it,” I tell him before dropping the towel and putting some jeans on.

“Mom is going to take Thaddeus tonight.”

“Are you asking or telling me? Because it sounded like you said she was taking him,” I argue.

“I’m telling you she is taking him for the night,” he says, his eyes holding mine. I growl, annoyed by his tone.

“No, he stays here,” I tell him.

“Imogen, let her take him, it gives us a night off.”

“No, I don’t want him away from us, what if Bianca⁠—”

“Bianca is at the council under watch, I know you don’t like this but it’s happening whether you like it or not. Mom is taking him, Imogen” He states standing.

I close my eyes, frustrated before pinching the bridge of my nose. My nails dig into the palm of my other hand.

“Imogen, you will let her. I need sleep, you need sleep.”

“He doesn’t need to leave, though, Tobias. Theo doesn’t need sleep, and I feel fine,” I retort.

“You are not fine, Imogen. It is already organized. Thaddeus is going with Mom and Dad. They won’t let anything happen to him. This isn’t up for discussion, we already decided,” he growls daring me to go against him.

“So what, Theo wants this as well?”

“Yes, Imogen, one night that’s all,” he says, moving closer and rubbing my arms. I feel my anger dissipate as I feel the familiar spark rush over my skin.

“Fine, but only one night,” I tell him, giving him what he wants.

“Good girl,” he mumbles into my hair as he tugs me to him, holding me in his arms.

I spend the day doing housework before going out weeding the rose garden. When I come back in, I find Tobias packing a bag for Thaddeus. Tobias looks up when he sees me walk in through the kitchen door. I go over and wash my hands.

“Theo is coming home early. Mom will be here at four to pick him up.” I ignore him. They both know I’m not comfortable with this.

Walking out, I trot upstairs and check on Thaddeus. He is asleep, and I jostle him awake as I pick him up. His big green eyes staring back at me.

I remain in the room until I hear the door open downstairs, and I know Theo has returned home. I hear footsteps on the stairs before I see him come into the room. He leans on the door frame watching me and I can feel him rummaging through my thoughts.

“Don’t do that,” I snap, shoving him out.

“I was just checking on a scale of one to ten how pissed off you are with me.”

“A ten, now go.”

“Tobias said you were angry, but it’s one night, Imogen, you will survive, I promise,” he says walking in the room toward me. He holds his arms out for Thaddeus. I reluctantly hand him over.

“Come say hello to Mom,” he says, staring down at me. I sigh and get up, trotting downstairs. Theo is quick to place Thaddeus in his car capsule, while I quickly hug Caroline and Josiah.

“I promise, he will be fine. I raised three boys. I know what I’m doing,” she tells me. I nod but still don’t like the idea of him leaving. Caroline and Josiah are quick to leave, probably so I don’t change my mind. As soon as the door closes, Theo and Tobias turn and face me. I roll my eyes, annoyed, before turning my back on them and going upstairs.

Laying on the bed, I feel restless. My mind going everywhere at once, not able to focus on one thing. Feeling my mood get darker and darker with every minute passing by that he isn’t by my side.