The burn in her throat and chest came from more than vodka. Was he still concerned with Rafferty's loyalty? “He’s my handler.”
“Just your handler?”
She shifted beneath his stare. “No.”
The captain nodded. “Smart girl like you wouldn’t waste an opportunity to get an edge on anyone. You have feelings for him?”
“Plenty of feelings. Enough feelings that sometimes I can’t handle leaving his giant head attached to his body.” Miya hated Aiden more than anyone. Having to lower herself beneath such an idiot infuriated her. It was humiliating being on his arm, but she benefited too much from it right now to get rid of him.
“Does he love you?” the captain asked.
“Aiden’s incapable of loving anyone but himself.”
“If he could, would you be the one?”
Miya rolled her eyes. “I’m his girl.” Aiden had only proposed a hundred times. Not that he ever meant it.
“Good, then you can sway him. I understand the king has cracked down on your boss’s territory. Perhaps, one day, there will be a more reasonable man ruling Caspador.”
The ground beneath her felt unsteady. He spoke of regicide. What else could he mean? The image of the king's family warmed her chest. The towering mossy pillars of his palace and the gleaming marble stairs that caught the sun’s light. How his smile beamed whenever he saw his children.
The captain took her hand, and she stumbled onto numb legs, following him to the couch.
To share such intentions with her sealed her fate. He'd never allow her to tell anyone. What if he did plan to assassinate the king and replace him? That incompetent idiot of a ruler didn’t deserve the throne. But…
But death?
The bartender placed a tray of shots on the table. The captain brought one to her lips, and she let him pour it into her mouth.
He smiled in approval. “Where’s Aiden from?”
That again?
He’d brought her here to interrogate her. The realization shook her. Miya couldn’t hold up to a real interrogation by a Ciondian officer. Especially not once he got her drunk. She couldn’t escape this. Her clothes felt stuffy, her skin clammy.It took all her concentration to focus on what he said because she kept drifting away to nothingness now that she understood what he meant to do.
The questions came slowly at first. He repeated the same ones, shooting them at a rapid pace, until he’d throw in a new one when she least expected it.
He forced another shot on her, lifting it to her mouth when she resisted. Her arms became heavy and distant until they felt like they were drifting away from her body. The captain battered her with his questioning.
“You slipped me… something…” Miya said. She moaned. Even when she closed her eyes, the lights seared her vision.
“Drink the last one.” The captain tapped the table. “How old were you when you met Aiden?”
“Seventeen… I need to go… get sick…”
“You’re fine.” He jostled her when she closed her eyes, her muscles twitching in response to his touch. “Explain your mission at Krowe’s.”
“My boss promised the estate to his client.”
“Who’s the client?”
“They don’t tell me.”
“I need a name.”
“Only Aiden and the boss know.” Her head lulled. “What did you give me? I don’t… feel right…” Miya heaved and doubled over, grabbing her mouth. The captain nudged her away from the couch.
“Hurry.” He shoved her hard enough for her to trip.
