Page 42 of Devil May Lie

“Zane said you left with the Butcher.”

He was going to have to have a talk with Zane about privacy. “And?”

“Are you all right?” Kelevra asked.

“He didn’t kill me, if that’s what you’re worried about.”

“We can’t afford to mess up the balance between our two groups.”

“We weren’t fighting. I just offered the guy a ride home, that’s all.” Lie, but whatever. What the prince didn’t know couldn’t hurt him.

And by him, Madden was referring to himself.

There was a slight pause and then, “What for?”

“He needed a ride,” Madden sighed. “Look, it’s not a big deal. Is this really the only reason you called me?”

“I wanted to remind you about the gala next Tuesday.” The sound of a door opening and closing came through the line. “My sister will be hosting an important Imperial family from another galaxy. We both need to be there to help her win them over.”

“I remember.” How could he not? His father and mother had both messaged him about it several times in the past forty-eight hours. They weren’t able to make it due to business on the other side of the planet, so Madden was the only one representing the Odell family at the event. If he didn’t or couldn’t show, Rebecca would have to be called in, and no one wanted that.

Madden loved his sister.

But she was a loon.

And an idiot.

“I know you have a race the night before,” Kelevra continued.

“When have I ever let what happens at the Docks affect state business?”

He chuckled. “True. Oh. Rin is already home.”

“Okay then—” The line cut before Madden could finish. “Asshole.”

“Bad talk?” Berga stepped from the bathroom, securing a gray towel around his waist. He’d already dried his hair and body off, and without waiting for Madden to reply, headed straight for the bed.

“Not really.” Madden stood there and watched the Butcher pull the covers back and slip beneath them. When he didn’t get either an invitation or told to get lost a second time, he took the initiative himself and followed suit. “You sure you’ve never let anyone else spend the night before?”

The bed was huge. Seemed like overkill if it was meant for only one person.

“Goodnight, Madden.”

“Just like that?”

“You’re the one who insisted on staying,” Berga reminded. “I’m tired.”

“Earlier, you were telling me to have sex with you.”

“That was earlier.”

He seemed fine now. Berga was lying on his back, his head on the pillow, eyes closed. Whatever had come over him at the Academy clearly no longer bothered him.

There was a chance bringing it up would set him off again, but Madden had waited for as long as he was able, and after that brief talk with Kelevra, the reminder of their situation…Madden was Retinue and Berga was Satellite. Come morning, no matter what transpired between them tonight, they’d both have to return to their respective places. They had their own duties. Their own lives…

If he didn’t ask it now, there was no guarantee he’d ever be given the opportunity to do so again. Hell, it’d been difficult just to get Berga to acknowledge him today, after a week of being ignored.

“You said that cadet you beat up made her disappear,” he began carefully. “Who?”