“Thank you for undermining everything I do, Checkmate, even when it benefits you.” His expression remains pleasant, his tone amused. “At least you’re consistent.”
“I aim to please,” I say with a small bow.
George laughs before she can make her lips press into a line. She’s one of those people who smiles with her eyes, and when our eyes meet, some of the distrust from the night before is replaced. Maybe all isn’t lost on the ally front.
“Would you mind taking our package upstairs, George? We’ll be up after Kaye gets some food.”
She nods, expression lit with traces of that smile, and disappears behind the door. Then I’m on my own with Charade once again.
Clearing my throat, I cross my arms in front of my chest. “I think I’m starting to grow on her.”
He steps to the side, and pins prick along the nerves of my spine as I pass him by. Beyond him is a modern kitchen. Tall, dark cabinets line the walls with a clean-looking white quartz countertop. An island with bar seating fills the central portion of the room. Natural light filters through a pair of picture windows, highlighting the shine on the stainless-steel appliances.
The villain business pays well.
“What’ll it be?” Charade takes a place in front of the stove, sliding an apron from a drawer somewhere on his left and tying it around his waist. “Eggs? Oatmeal? The sky’s the limit here.”
“I’m not hungry.” As if on cue, an audible gurgle rips through my stomach.
A grin spreads across his lips. Smug bastard. “I’m not going to poison it. Not with you watching at least.”
“That’s very reassuring.” Pulling out one of the stools, I perch on the cushioned top. “Eggs. Scrambled, very dry. Runny yolks freak me out.”
“Sunny side up is delicious.” Hetsks.
This is the most surreal day of my life. Charade cooking me breakfast is right at the top of myHell Clearly Froze Overlist. “I’ll take your word for it.”
“I don’t know how much of that you heard, but George brought up an interesting point.” His voice is light, but I know him well enough to detect the edge underneath. “It would be irresponsible for me not to make sure that we’re on the same page.”
A plate piled high with steaming eggs clatters onto the counter in front of me, all melted butter and cheese. Despite my trepidation, it’s all I can do to keep from drooling as I reach for a fork. And gods! I never knew eggs could taste so heavenly. I stifle a moan with a cloth napkin pressed to my lips.
“I’ll take that as a compliment.” He smirks, pressing a mug full of coffee into my palm.
My eyes narrow. “Let’s go back to the part where you were threatening me. Again.”
“Joke all you want, but don’t drag George, her parents, or anyone else you may meet into this when you leave. I don’t care what you do to me, but I need to know you’ll keep them out of it.”
I scowl. “I’m not the one who involved them, Charade.”
His mug bangs on the counter, coffee splashing over the rim. My fork drops with the force of it. My hands raise to draw on power that is still out of reach.
His voice becomes colder. “You don’t want to find out what happens if you make yourself a liability.”
“I thought you needed my help.”
“Want,” he corrects. His hand shoots forward, and my insides curdle as strong fingers curl around my wrist.“I could make you forget.”
The words echo across my thoughts, adding weight to them. Making them heavy. Intoxicating. The tendrils of his power wrap around my mind like a boa constrictor. I forget the danger.Forget why this isn’t allowed. Pushing the plate aside, I lean into his touch, heat licking up my core. His lips brush my earlobe, the velvet timber of his voice a caress across my synapses.
“Who is George Pancost?”
A trace of her flickers and is gone.
“Who is Charade?”
The scent is stronger now, and I—I can feel the answer on the tip of my tongue.
“Who is Checkmate?”
