Page 104 of Merciless Heir

“I’m going to think this is a habit of yours, breaking in here.”

“More entering.” She takes a sip from her glass and her hand shakes. Most wouldn’t notice that fine, almost imperceptible tremor. But I do. “I didn’t break anything. I can if you like. Next time.”

I laugh softly and lean against the bar. “Next time is interesting.”

“Is it?”

“It tells me you’d like to see more of me.”

“You have some ego, Kingston.”

“Tell me I’m wrong.”

“You’re not. But like and will are two different things.”

I straighten and put my mouth to her ear. “Pity.”

Her sharp intake of breath is shaky and uneven, but it has nothing to do with the hum of agitation that runs through her and made her hand shake. I’m so close I can feel that, too.

But I move away and sit in a chair, gaze on her. She turns to the window and the gray outside. It wants to rain again, but so far, it hasn’t.

“Was all that just some kind of elaborate game?” I ask, taking a swallow of the Scotch I’m not sure I want, but I savor the burn, and the heat.

“The auctions?” Sadie shakes her head as a rumble of thunder rolls outside and I’m struck with the inexplicable urge to take her to bed. Again.

“You tell me you know who bought it and fuck me when I ask questions.”

She finally turns to me a moment. “Tell me you didn’t want that.”

“You know I did, but that isn’t an answer, because every time I asked you told me to trust you or you changed the subject.”

“I know what we did. And sure, I used the moment because I wanted that itch you created scratched.”

“Did you?”

“No.”

“So.” I take another sip. “Answer.”

“Getting the tiara back doesn’t answer your questions.”

I nod. “Yeah, but I’ll have it and that’s a good step. Are you telling me…what?”

Sadie goes to the window and leans her head against it, and her ghostly reflection closes its eyes. Then she breathes out, and her breath fogs out the glass and the ghost. She turns to me. “Something is wrong.”

“Like what?” I look at her.

She breathes in but whatever it is she’s going to say shifts. I see that in how she straightens and I remember what Athena said about her all over again.

Yeah, we’re both experts at locking private gates.

Unfortunately, this is my life, my money she’s using, so I need to know what’s there behind her gates.

“Should I remind you that you work for me?” I ask.

Sadie’s expression turns cold, but the agitation is still there. “No. You don’t need to do that, Kingston.”

“So maybe you want to explain yourself, starting with your plan.”