No, of course he doesn’t, you fool.Plus saying that in my head when I’m talking to him sounds like I’m trying to seduce him. The thought has me smiling.
“A serious chat, Leo,” Hunter says, his tone taking on the edge that I know well. It’s the tone that he uses to rein me in.
“Yep, sorry, just thought of something.” He raises his brow at me to explain.
Quick, think of something to distract him.
“Just thinking about if fish had feet instead of fins.”
Got to love my ADHD brain.
“What?” He laughs.
“Think about it. They would look weird. Would they have little fish shoes?”
“Okay, you’re ridiculous. I’ve often wondered what it’s like in your head.”
Trust me, you don’t want to know.
“It’s pure chaos up here.” I tap my temple. “But please continue. Serious chat.” Nicely diverted but I am now thinking about fish wearing sneakers or stilettos and I have to force myself to focus.
“I know you’re living with Ria while this whole thing is going on, so I want you to look after her.” He sighs. “You obviously know what that prick did to her, and I know she says she’s healed but I’m not completely sure she is. Ria’s controlled, and doing something so impulsive is out of character for her. I’m worried she will lose herself. You will take care of her, right?”
“Of course. That goes without saying.”
“Good.” He lets out an exaggerated breath before continuing. “I’m having Deacon look into Ezra.”
“What? Why?”
“The man bought out Peak. That went for serious dollars; how did he get the funds? What has he been doing all this time? Something just doesn’t add up.”
He isn’t wrong. It doesn’t add up. Ezra may have made a name for himself at Bright in New York and has accumulated some serious wealth, but to buy out a multi-billion dollar investment company that has offices not only in London but New York, Sydney, and Hong Kong? I just can’t see it.
“That thought has crossed my mind. Along with him just disappearing like that? The man vanished. Not that I cared what he was doing; I just cared about the state he left Ria in.” I can feel my spine straighten as I remember how broken she was when she realized he had left her. I never want to see her like that again. She was a shell of herself, nothing like the sensational woman she is. “Have you talked with Ria about this?”
“Not yet.” He runs his fingers through his hair as he leans back in his chair. “I don’t want to have her spiral if he comes up with nothing.”
“Brother, this is Deacon. He is going to come up with something. That man knows everything. It’s fucking scary.”
“I know,” he groans. “And that’s what is worrying me.”
“You’ve got to tell her. She deserves to know what you’re planning.” My tone is harsh as I stare across at my best friend.
“You’re right; I know you are.” He levels his gaze with mine. “But what if he finds something out and I can’t fix it for her?”
“Then I’ll fix it for her.”
Kai - First night alone as a married couple. I want all the details!
Leo - Nothing is going to happen.
Kai - Maybe not yet. Give me a few weeks and you’ll be singing a different tune.
People say I’m hard to deal with, but Kai is a whole other level. As we walk into Ria’s home, which is now going to be my new home for as long as she can put up with the façade, I’m vibrating with so much energy I’m physically about to explode.
“Did you want a drink before bed?” She trails her fingers up my arm before squeezing my shoulder, making my brain short-circuit because this feels like flirting and I’m not sure how I should react. All I seem capable of doing is nodding.
“Great,” she says quietly as she moves to flick on the kettle. “Tea okay?”
