‘Not at all.I’m just genuinely curious.’
‘The first year, I was still struggling after the injury.’Kade reaches up to touch the small metal plate hidden in his dark auburn hair.‘Riley was so good to me.He took care of me.Helped me speak again.’
‘Did Riley fix you up?’
‘What do you mean?’
‘The metal plate.You must have needed surgery.’
‘I don’t remember the specifics, and he was recovering too so it wasn’t easy.’
‘Recovering from what?’
The shots are slowly hitting him.‘Maybe that’s why he needed me.It weakened him or something.’
Lachlan asks, ‘He was shot?’
‘In the heart.’Kadebadlyneeds to change the subject.Thinking about Riley is giving him a stomach ache.‘Anyway.It’s in the past.He might be a motherfucker for not telling me the truth, but he’s always kept me safe.’Kade closes his eyes, just needs a moment before he’s steady.‘I trust him.’He swivels to look at Lachlan full on.‘Did we ever fuck?You and me?’
‘I’m not talking about this with you.’
‘Why not?’
‘You don’t remember.It’s weird.’
‘Why is it only weird when it’s about sex?Murder, violence, betrayal, that’s all fine, but when it comes tosex—’
‘None of that’s fine, but I know why you’re asking.’
‘Astonish me.’
‘You just want to unnerve me.’
Kade tongues his incisor.‘I do, yeah.’
‘You were always good at it.So was your father.’
‘What was he like, then?’
Lachlan exhales, brows raised.‘Alistair?He was… monstrously arrogant and cruel.He didn’t love either of you, but he said he wanted the best for you and, in his own grotesque way, I think he meant it.I regret not killing him every day, not getting you out sooner, both of you.I should have shot him on day one.’Lachlan turns, expression turned neutral, desperately seeking a reset.He gestures to the dancefloor.‘C’mon, dance with me?’
‘Why?’
‘You used to love it.’
‘I don’t dance.’
‘Yeah, you do.I’ll show you.’
‘You can’tshow me.’
‘Sounds like a bet.’
‘No one’s even dancing.’
‘Good thing life is short, then.Come on.Last chance or I’m going to go dance on my own and Iactuallycan’t dance, so that’s really gonna be a scene.’
Kade rolls his eyes.‘I despise you.’
