The cook’s snores punctuated the silence. There was no waking that man from a dead sleep.
I stumbled past my uncle and tripped down the stairs. Because I forgot socks, I had to shove my bare feet in my Converse, which were instantly soaked in the rain.
Not even the cold blast of wind that greeted me could put a damper on my spirits. I raced through the rain, eager at the prospect of sealing my decision. This would be a no-strings-attached, secret affair. There was something decidedly delicious about the forbidden nature of it. And when I saved up enough money to start over, I would leave Nico to his grand life without feeling bad.
My heart thumped double.
But it didn’t have a say in the matter.
I skidded across the slick, loose gravel, taking a bend too quickly. Scrambling to keep my balance, I blinked drops out of my eyes and stared at the house.
The monolith loomed above me. There was mockery in its sloped peeks. I resisted the urge to stick my tongue out at it. Tonight, I was storming the castle. Claiming the prince, making him mine for the time being. He wanted me, and why should I feel less worthy that I wasn’t born into the world of privilege?
The house defied my efforts with the locked doors.
I stood there, dripping, soaked through. Going around to the back, I intended to try the back ones, knowing they would be locked tight. While I could call Nico, that would not only take away the element of surprise, but it would deflate my resolve to be the acting agent in this saga.
The back patio doors were locked.
And I almost didn’t go to the sunroom. But a little voice inside urged me forward. I crept through the rain, now shivering as the cold soaked through my sweatshirt.
I nearly jumped out of my skin when the sunroom door swung open. Pressing myself against the wall, I watched a large, bent-over black shape leaving the space. My mind played a trick, and I had to swallow the scream, right before recognition took place.
Nico shut the door, then bent again. It was almost like….
No, it was most definitely like he was dragging a body. Because that was exactly what he was doing.
I clapped my hand over my mouth, trying to hide the gasp of surprise.
Nico’s head snapped in my direction, and I pressed back into the brick of the house. The shrubbery barely covered me. He moved, prowling forward.
Knowing what this man was capable of, I didn’t want him to discover me lurking. “Hi, there.”
His shoulders relaxed. “Rae. You should be asleep.”
“I know.” I stepped away from the house. “I couldn’t.”
A low, rich chuckle rumbled from him. “I know. I saw.”
I crossed my arms over my chest. “I came to find you, actually. But…clearly, you’re busy.”
Nico stepped into me. His body was warm despite the rain pelting against him. He reached out and brushed the back of his knuckles over my cheek.
“I’m sorry, baby. I have to deal with something tonight,” he rasped.
That touch skated across my lips, leaving a trail of heat in its wake.
It had to be the reason I blurted out, “Do you want any help?”
Nico snorted. “I distinctly remember your aversion to involving yourself in anyfamilybusiness.”
I rolled my eyes. “I know what I said. But I’m here.” Peering around him, I looked at the lump on the ground. It should be shocking to see a dead body. I should be horrified, frightened to stand here in the dark with the person responsible for the situation. Instead…I felt safe. “Did you stain any carpets this time?”
Nico shook his head. “No blood.”
“Oh, okay.” I was basically useless then. “Have a good night.”
“Rae.” Nico caught my arm and pulled me close. “You drove me crazy wearing my shirt. I would have come to you, would have broken into your bedroom, if I didn’t have this appointment.”
