Ties That Bind: The Bellum Sisters 3 (paranormal erotic romance) by T. A. Grey

intelligence is debatable, Ms. Bellum. Just take a seat and keep your mouth shut.” He stalked away to welcome the newest guests before he transported her out of there himself.
    Others started ambling in as well. Draven, Henry, and Rayn from Tyrian's staff. Jackie and Thane Vanner from Lyonis'. Spotting Kearnyn in the corner of the room, he went to him.
    “Keep an eye on Lily Bellum. If she starts anything, I want her out of here and fast.”
    Kearnyn nodded and Telal almost sighed. He trusted this man more than his own mother. Hell, that was no comparison; he trusted him more than he did Lily Bellum.
    “Everyone take your seats and we'll get down to business.” Telal made his way to the front of the table. He set his briefcase on the table. “I think you all know why I've called you here.” An uncomfortable silence followed.
    Tyrian spoke first. His eyes were cold and distant, body stiff in his chair. “You want to open the rift.”
    “Yes. You've all known about my campaign to have the rift opened. I'm now officially ready to show you my proposal.”
    A commotion started. Members turned in their seats, arguing with each other until they were nearly shouting back and forth.
    Lily Bellum stood up and shouted, “Shut up! All of you! Listen to what he has to say.”
    Telal clenched his jaw at the outburst. He looked to Kearnyn to give him the nod to get her out of here but his guard wasn't looking at him. He was watching the witch sitting next to Lily.
    Jeremiah Caine threw back his chair as he came to a stand. “You do not speak to a man this way! Where are your manners?”
    She narrowed her eyes on him. “Where are yours?”
    He sputtered, cheeks reddening. “You are a succubus. Where is your man who speaks for you? I'll give him a good dressing down for this.”
    Telal's spine went rigid. Though she surprised him with what she said. “I don't have one.”
    Jeremiah’s mouth opened. “But you are a succubus. What is your name, girl?”
    She sat back down and crossed her arms. She looked like she enjoyed this. “Lily Bellum.”
    He smirked as if he'd guessed right. “Figures, the Bellums have always been a wild bunch. Now with your father gone and no male heir to keep you straight, you're as wild as a whore.”
    Several people gasped at the insult. Telal felt a surge of feelings tear through him like a train. In a flash he saw himself jumping across the table and plowing his fist into the incubus’ face until bone cracked. Instead, he glanced at Lily, waiting for her to come back with one of her witty comments, but she didn't. Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment, her lips were clamped closed.
    “Sit down, Jeremiah,” he said in a low voice.
    Jeremiah opened his mouth to protest but Telal cut him a violent look that had him slamming his butt back down into his seat. He looked one last time at Lily to see her not meeting anyone's gaze, but he ignored it. He didn’t like the look of hurt and shame on her face, but now was not the time for her problems. Already she was on track to ruin his first official meeting.
    “As I said, it is time for the rift to be opened. I have here a plan that we can implement that will allow demons like me to cross the rift once again and keep the idummi and other demons below the rift.”
    Telal took copies of his proposal out of his briefcase and passed them along to each of the members. Since there was no governing body that resided over all, he had chosen select members of specific groups to meet with. Though, the one with the most leverage was Tyrian en Kulev. He and his Atal Warriors alone guarded and punished those who crossed the rift.
    He waited until everyone read the proposal before continuing. “Tyrian, since you are the commander of the Atal Warriors I would hear what you think of this first.”
    Tyrian neatly folded the proposal and pushed it away. “The shahoulin demons cannot be trusted. I don't see why we'd change something that doesn't need to be fixed. Also,