“It’s difficult to explain. But I know how to set things up so no one will get hurt when we wake it up. You’ve got quite the power, as everyone would expect.”
Cole looks as if he’s tamping down the urge to push for more. “All right. Will it help us against your would-be murderers?”
“Not in figuring out who they are. So… no rush if you want to wait.” Especially if he wants to hold off on the other sorts of intimacies that’ll become much harder to resist once we’ve touched skin to skin. “Just let me know when you’re ready.”
“Right.” Another rough laugh slips from his mouth.
A flicker of my uneasiness over Daphne’s behavior passes through my mind. “Speaking of would-be murderers, I talked more with my aunt, and she was very… distressed about what we’ve uncovered so far. She insisted that we stop investigating until she’s had a chance to make some inquiries herself. The way she reacted… I’m going to listen this once. So you shouldn’t go chasing after that mystery woman during her Sunlite Plaza meeting this week.”
Cole raises an eyebrow. “Elodie Devine obeying an authority figure. I wasn’t sure that was possible.” A shadow crosses his face. “Did your aunt say what concerned her so much?”
I shake my head. “Unfortunately, no. So I guess we’re playing it by ear.”
He takes a step toward me, putting him close enoughthat he can raise his gloved hand to my face. The graze of his fingertips down my temple and my cheek to my jaw makes my pulse flutter.
“We’ll get through this,” he says like an oath. “We’ll get through it and make this union work, no matter how insane it is.”
I swallow against a sudden swell of emotion. “Yeah, I think we will too.”
He pulls back before the urge to throw all stated good intentions to the wind gets any stronger. “You’d better go get your lunch.”
I tip my head in acknowledgment. “Thank you for the apology.”
I head out into the hall, my steps a little lighter. At least, until Cadance and Mia emerge into view at the far end of the hall.
As I reach them, Mia’s gaze flicks from me to the doors behind me. “Was that Professor Raith’s office you came out of?” She waggles her eyebrows teasingly. “You’ve been getting alotof attention from Mr. Divination-Genius lately.”
I roll my eyes, but my posture must stiffen despite my attempt at playing it cool.
Cadance chuckles. “You don’t have to look so horrified. I mean, he is incredibly hot as well as talented. Too bad he hasn’t got much of a name, but I wouldn’t mind some recreational time with him.”
As if I wouldn’t already know that from the way she ogles him in class.
I keep my tone flat as we walk toward the cafeteria, wanting this topic to be done with as quickly as possible. “I’ll skip even that, thanks. Why’d you come looking for me anyway?”
Cadance taps her lips, ignoring my question. “I can’t figure out your type. But hey, why shouldn’t you be picky?”
Mia giggles and bumps her slim arm against mine. “We were just passing by and wondered what called you away. You had good timing.”
Or truly awful timing. I keep a polite smile pasted on my face, but inside my gut is churning.
Even if we’re laying low, just how long can my matches and I keep this immense secret hidden?
Twenty-Six
Salvatore
Idon’t think Shiv likes me all that much, but my cousin isn’t going to miss the chance to flaunt the bar she took over after graduating. And I’ll admit she’s done the place up nice in the past few years. Oak and black leather for the bar stools and the booths, a little dance floor by the retro jukebox, all the best lagers on tap.
With the regulars cleared out for this private event, every face around me is family: Cosgraves and Morellis. As the heir to both syndicates, I get hasty hugs from various aunts and claps on the back from a dozen uncles.
Their expressions are a weird mix of wary and repulsed that I’m used to after twenty years of it. It doesn’t stop them from pushing envelopes into my hand or tucking a little cash in my jacket pocket alongside muttered “happy birthday”s.
The Irish and Italian sides look at each other with even more suspicion, but they keep any needling words and shiny weapons they’re carrying to themselves.
Their lives depend on it.
Mom and Dad are reigning over the party by the curve of the bar counter, watching their clashing families attempt to mingle. They’ll notice if anyone stirs up trouble or snubs their son on his birthday, and punishment will be swift and brutal.
