Zoey Rogue by Lizzy Ford

of his eight older brothers, Liam, stepped back from his position as a spotter. Sweating profusely, Declan released a long breath.
    “You lose, brother,” he said, facing Liam. “You said ten. I got twelve.”
    “Someone’s gotta push your lazy ass,” Liam said with a wink.
    Declan smiled. There was nothing lazy about him, and they both knew it. Despite being close to twenty-three and on tap to succeed their father, he still took a verbal beating from his older brothers. They kept him on his toes, and he relished the challenge of proving them wrong.
    “You wanna go out tonight?” Liam asked. “I’ve got club duty. I know how much you love the clubs.”
    “No, not tonight.”
    “No?” Liam raised an eyebrow. “You’ve still got the Succubus dad told you to get rid of?”
    “I’m breaking it off tonight,” Declan replied. “Then I’m going over the strategic reorganization plan of Dad’s again.”
    “You’re moody and studious. I have no idea who you are, but I want Declan back.”
    “Not sure what’s wrong with me lately. Maybe I’m getting old, like the rest of my brothers,” he teased. He snagged his towel off the floor and walked with Liam out of the private gym at the bottom of their apartment building.
    “Declan.”
    He reached back to grab the door before it closed. The face of the Cambion leader, Paul, dampened his spirits. Paul’s eyes were two different colors – one blue, the other brown – and set in a face with heavy features. His lean frame was as sweaty as Declan’s from his workout.
    “Your water bottle,” the Cambion said, holding it out.
    Declan accepted it. Never a fan of the Cambions, he was less impressed by the one before him, who had somehow conned his way onto the Council.
    “Thanks,” Declan said. “This one’s my favorite.” He took a swig, the cool water soothing after the brutal workout.
    Paul joined the brothers in the hallway as they walked towards the elevator.
    “Are you any closer to finding Julius’s killer?” the Cambion asked.
    “We don’t normally discuss Enforcer business outside the meetings,” Declan replied. “But no, not yet.”
    “A shame. He was one of those who nominated me to the Council,” Paul said.
    Declan had even less respect for the dead Incubus. Even so, it was his job to figure out who killed him and why. He felt it again. The tug so strong, it was almost physical. It pulled his attention down the hall to his left. His jaw clenched, and he looked away. What he sought wasn’t down the hallway or in the building or even probably within blocks of his place; what he sought, he had no intention of acknowledging.
    The real reason why he was avoiding clubs this night: It was Wednesday, the night she was active in the territory of the Incubatti. Every week, the knowledge she was so close drove him a little crazier.
    “Catch you later,” Paul said and broke off, moving down the hallway.
    Declan watched him go, relaxing once more.
    “I don’t trust that ass,” Liam muttered. “Not sure how you can be so polite.”
    “Diplomacy is an art form,” Declan said. “I’m still working on it.”
    “You’re ahead of almost all of us, even Dad.”
    Declan smiled. He was one of the most patient of the Incubuses in his family, which wasn’t saying much.
    “You really breaking it off tonight with that Succubus?” Liam asked him.
    “Yeah,” Declan said. “I haven’t had this much fun in years, and the sex is fantastic. She can keep up with me. Awful timing, as usual.”
    “I don’t trust the Sucubatti. Always up to something,” Liam said. “But definitely enjoy it while you can. Dad’s been asking after your soul-mate for months now.”
    “What did my favorite brother tell our father?” Declan asked. They stopped to wait in front of the elevator.
    “I gave him the party line. Told him I didn’t know if you’d met her yet or not. He’s happy about mine, so he gave me a pass. Strike two is a bitch, by the way. I’ve never