Nadia's POV 
Landon almost shocked me out of my bones. He was the very last person I expected to see at just a little past midday. 
He didn't look bad, better even than I last saw him. His golden vintage top did a poor job of concealing his muscles. 
I had just dressed for Vance who said we were going to “Do it” right before he dashed out for some emergency. 
I started sweating in my palms for obvious reasons, it's when I tried to clean my palms against my dress I realized I hadn't worn one. 
I regretted ogling at Landon's body when I should've been hiding mine. 
I saw him see me and immediately regretted putting that nasty triumphant smile, I used to crave for, on his face. 
After all he said, I can't lie, I had to suspect that he was behind the attacks, and I'm very sure Vance does too. 
If all the surrounding houses were attacked and raided, it only meant two things. He was either in on it, scratch that, it's just one thing… Landon was in on it. But there was, obviously, nothing he stood to gain from two missing babies and people's broken houses, well, except Vance's attention which he clearly has now. 
Then it dawned on me that if I thought this way, Vance too probably has, and it's only a matter of days before all hell breaks loose. 
Why did this have to happen? I would choose the unending, nerve racking, continuous, routine sex with Vance over having him distracted this way. 
  “You did not do this, did you?” I asked Landon, who was only too excited to break the news to me. What was he thinking I would have done? Be scared? Pick him over Vance- which I kinda want to do, but I still have reservations about both of them-, or feel threatened? 
He obviously evaded the question like I knew he would, classic Landon. Sometimes I feel like shoving my whole arm up his ass whenever he gets so annoying, which is not infrequently. 
I started thinking of how the conversation would go when Vance got back. He's everything but stupid. He's going to make calculated guesses like everyone who has sense would, and he would reach certain assumptions. 
But for my sake, and that proud bastard who had all the nerve coming up here, and standing comfortably in our bedroom, he would be in deep shit if any thorough search was done and in one way or the other, pointed at him. 
Vance would be only too happy to get rid of a proud beta whose wings he had never been able to clip since they were kids. Sometimes, I think I just overthink it, other times, I think I actually sense Vance's reservations about Landon. If I decided to take it a notch further, it's probably why he took his betas mate when he had access to all other women, some even more beautiful. 
As Landon walked out on me, I began to think to myself if I really did miss the man so much to want to spend another lifetime with him. There's really nothing going for him, in no way is he a competition for Vance. 
I've decided to hold that thought, for now, I'll concentrate on knowing what to say to Vance when he gets back. 
The one day fate rids me of him for this long stretch, that I could've used to focus and take care of me, I'm stuck trying to think of how to broker peace between two grown ass men. 
Then it suddenly occurs to me, that this really is the life women are made to live with men like those in power. It would actually be unfair to make it about just them, it goes far beyond the proud bastards. But either way, none is really better than the other. Both have very dangerous tempers - sometimes, I wonder if Vance does not have terrible dreams from that night, the night Talia passed at both our feet, I did for the first few days, even still now, occasionally. 
Confrontation is really nothing new to me, I mean, I have years of practice from Landon's days, Vance should be a walkover. I decided to just sit back and watch how things play out. 
Just when I started to settle in, Vance walked, looking not so happy. 
  “Hey.” I said. I decided it's best I thawed him first. 
He just threw me what I think was supposed to be a romantic wink and sinks in the bed, his leg still hanging out with the expensive half shoe he had on. 
I headed over to him and took the shoes off his feet, replacing them back in the racker in his dressing room. I don't know if his eyes were on me all the while, but it certainly did feel like it. 
I decided to push my ock further and take off his clothes. I could bet with everything I own-which is nothing, technically - that he wouldn't have let me, but at least I would get him talking. The longer he spent in his head, the more thoughts about Landon would ferment and that only meant more trouble. Sometimes, I wonder how they stand themselves in their little meetings. 
  “Are you okay, baby?” I asked in my sexiest voice when he refused to let me undo even the first button. He swatted my hand so hard I'm sure he even felt a little remorse. 
  “What do you think?” His mind was definitely not with me, he was replying more as a sense of duty, or compensation for my undressing him– or attempt to. 
  “You don't look well.” I continued like it was how he looked I really cared about. “Should I have Tracy bring in some tea? Or coffee?” I knew he was going to refuse, but I was succeeding at creating a distraction. 
  “Do whatever.” Definitely not the answer that I expected. In fact, I was totally unprepared for it. Vance was usually a ‘yes or no’ person. This was his attempt at getting rid of me, but I wasn't going to fall for it. 
  “You don't seem like you are interested in it.* I said instead, pulling a chastised look. His eyes were closed and he probably wasn't seeing me, but it definitely added that effect to my tone. 
  “Why have we not had babies since the last one, Nadia?” Now this was definitely not what I saw coming, at all. 
I was caught so unawares I choked on my own saliva and almost toppled backwards. Not even an attempt to mask my shock could help me, I was visibly shaken.