Accidentally…Over? (Accidentally Yours #5)(20)
Author: Mimi Jean Pamfiloff

Maggie wailed and then jumped on Chaam, wrapping her arms around his neck, her legs around his waist. “I told you so, baby. I told you. We were meant to be happy.”

Chaam’s face whitened with astonishment. “But why? Why did you do it?” he asked Máax.

It had taken Máax the equivalent of one human year, working around the clock to accomplish the task, but what the hell. Not like he had had anything better to do. “ ’Cause I’m the only one with the balls big enough to pull it off. Why else?” Okay. Maybe he cared a little bit, too, but no one needed to know that.

“But all of those times you traveled back,” Chaam said. “You will be punished for breaking our laws.”

“Really? No shit. Now if you don’t mind,” Máax grumbled.

“Thank you, Máax. Thank you,” Maggie offered.

Chaam glared at Cimil. “You are not off the hook, Cimil. I still have a score to settle with you.”

Roberto moved in front of Cimil’s cell, faced Chaam, and crossed his arms. “Over my dead body.”

“That, my vampire friend, can be arranged.” Chaam’s eyes flickered over the faces of every vampire standing guard.

Maggie nudged Chaam. “Will you stop, you arrogant, overgrown manchild? Don’t you see what’s happened? You can let go of your guilt. You’re free—well, sort of—and we’re together.”

Chaam looked down at Maggie and threaded his fingers through her mahogany-colored hair. “Yes. Yes. Of course. You are right.”

“Oh,” Máax added. “And brother? Before you thank me again, I’d like to point out that you’re now the proud father of two hundred daughters. Good f**king luck with that.”

Maggie squealed. “I’ve always wanted a big family!”

Chaam’s lips hardened for several moments, but then he grinned. “So have I, actually.”

Sloppy tongues began to fly, and Máax suddenly wished that they were invisible. Or that the prison cell had tinted glass, anything to hide what these two looked like they were about to do.

Oh, well. At least they’d stopped talking. Máax could go back to focusing on his own damned carnival-of-crap situation.

Máax’s mind drifted to visions of Ashli.

Ashli. Mmmm. Ashli. Gods, why couldn’t he control the wanting and lust for a few lousy minutes? It was as if she’d taken over his mind. And his cock.

He leered at Cimil who disco danced to a phantom song in her cell. “Cimil?” Máax warned. “We need to talk. Now.”

She ignored him completely.

He walked over and pounded on the glass. Surprisingly, Roberto took a step back, though he remained on his guard.

Good choice, ass**le. Máax was in no mood to play Cimi-games. “I know you are hiding something.”

She stopped dancing and raised her brows. “I hide nothing!” She covered one side of her mouth and whispered, “Except for the new unicorn tat on my bum. It’s a surprise for Roberto.” Cimil paused for an accomplished sigh.

Máax was not amused. “Tell me what you really know about Ashli. And do not play stupid, because clearly you have deceived me.”

Cimil pointed to herself. “Moi? Well, I have been known to lie. But what can I say? That’s how I hop.” Her disco move transformed into a bunny hop to prove her point.

“This isn’t a joke,” Máax growled. “She’s going to die, and I won’t be able to stop it if you don’t help me.”

“Cimiiiil? What is going on?” asked Roberto who stepped to Máax’s side. “I, too, am beginning to suspect there is more going on here than a simple attempt to halt the end of the days.”

Máax was surprised by Roberto’s suspicious attitude.

Cimil’s eye toggled between the floor and Roberto’s face. “Okay. You got me.” She held up her hands.

“Speak, my evil little turnip,” Roberto prodded.

“Well,” she said, “I do have another reason for this lockdown. I kinda thought this would be a nice opportunity for a family therapy session.”

Roberto visibly fumed. “You locked everyone up for that?”

“Nooo, you locked them up! This was all your idea. Okay. Maaaaybe I planted the idea in your head. But!” She held up her index finger. “When I told you that the gods go to war against each other and destroy the planet, that was true. What I didn’t tell you was that we are also carrying massive quantities of baggage. It’s time to let it all go and find peace. I mean, whether we all live or die, it would be nice. Don’t you think?”

“I think you are lying,” Roberto said in an irritated tone.

“Where’s the fun in the truth? Hey, got any bad people hanging around? Minky’s getting hangry.”

“You mean hungry?” Roberto cocked a brow.

“No. Hangry. That’s when you’re angry because you’re hungry. She needs her afternoon snack. Preferably anyone who wears a mullet.”

“Cimil!” Máax barked. “You will cease this conversational detour and tell me what you know about Ashli. Why does the Universe want to kill her?”

Cimil’s turquoise eyes glowed with mischief, and her lips curled into a giant smirk. “I have told you; Ashli will be the one to prevent us from fighting each other. She will broker peace if you save her and she is allowed to live out her natural life in her natural habitat. Or Ashli-tat, as I like to call it. If not… well, at least we can all enjoy this family time together.”

“There is more. I know you’re hiding something,” Máax said bluntly and then looked at Roberto who also had the expression of a man trying to figure out a very complex puzzle. “The Universe wants her dead. Why?”

Cimil shrugged. “If I had the answer to every question, do you think I’d be locked in here? Okay. Maybe I would. It’s cozy.”

Máax slammed his fist against the glass. “I’m not f**king around, Cimil! We’ve had five earthquakes. Five!”

“He is right, my evil dove,” Roberto agreed. “You must tell him what you know.”

Cimil crossed her arms and turned away.

“Very well.” He was on his own. What was new, really? That was the way it had always been. Máax did everything in his power to save everyone’s bacon, and they turned their backs on him in his time of need. Again and again and again.