His thumb traces the curve of my lower lip and this time I don’t pull away. It wouldn’t do any good. “Don’t be afraid, Checkmate. It’s time tosleep.”
Sleep.
Sleep.
Sleep.
I’m so tired of fighting.
So tired.
When the darkness comes to claim me, his arms curling around my legs and my weight falling out from under me, I just let it.
7
KAYE
Sunlight blares through my eyelids, white-hot and blinding. I blink against the onslaught, turning to stretch my muscles, stiff as concrete. Probably a side effect of my adventure scaling the house last night.
Adrenaline burns any remaining traces of sleep away as I bolt upright.
Charade saving me. Meeting George.
Rain check.
Sleep.
My heartbeat races under my palm as it all comes rushing back. The room feels too hot, and yet I can’t stop my body from trembling. Pulling the covers over my head, I wait for them to pass.
I need to get out of bed, but I can’t seem to make my legs move. Charade was a fearsome enemy when I was outside his reach. I knew he was powerful, had seen the effects of those powers many times, but I had never fallen prey to them. Then yesterday… His voice still echoes inside my head.
I can’t stay here forever. I refuse to cower or hide.
I force myself to focus on one step—one moment—at a time. The metallic click of the catch unlocking on the door. Thethick tread of carpet under my toes as I retrace my steps. And suddenly I find myself standing outside a cracked door, listening to voices carrying from within.
“Why do you get to bringa total strangerinto our home, but I can’t bring my girlfriend home? And don’t tell me ‘it’s too dangerous.’” George lowers her pitch to mimic his tone.
“Checkmate isn’t a stranger.”
“She’s your greatest adversary—even better.”
“People love her.” He sighs. “Even with the smear campaign they’ve been pushing. And even if she tries to murder me in my sleep, C wants her. That’s enough reason to?—”
I flinch as the door opens and I’m suddenly face-to-face with Charade.
He looks so normal without his suit. A light gray button-down, sleeves rolled a few times, shows off his muscled forearms, a pair of dark wash jeans complementing his narrow hips. Thick strands of dark brown hair curl around the edges of a pair of Ray-Bans with nearly solid black lenses.Fuck. He smells good, cologne mild with notes of sandalwood and nutmeg.
Charade is attractive in the way that men with cheekbones as high as their confidence always are. As if I need more proof that life isn’t fair.
“I didn’t realize you were awake.” He grins.
“And eavesdropping.” George’s eyes flash. “Reina wouldn’t do that.”
“You forget that I know Reina too, and I can tell you with absolute certainty that she would.”
“For the record”—my gaze slides toward the girl while still keeping Charade in my periphery—“I’m on your side.”
George’s eyes widen, then settle on Charade with satisfaction.
