Page 72 of Secrets of the Six

"If there is nothing else, we should call it a night." I straighten, brushing past the awkward exchange. "May the Saints have mercy on our enemies."

"For we won't." Everyone echoes except Ines, who is staring daggers at me.

Chapter 25

Ines

He's hiding something from me. I can feel it in my bones.

I have plenty of time to question him on our trek back to Otero's estate, but I'd rather hold my tongue and crawl into my bed as quickly as possible. Him losing his temper with me over some dumbass dogs has me ready to claw his eyes out, but I refrain for the sole reason I’m exhausted. Morning light will be upon us sooner than I'd like, and I'll have a long day of preparing for another ball and hopefully securing a proposal in the near future.

We cross over the canal and into the Golden District where the streets are filled with the most beautiful houses with backyards blocked in by iron rod fences. The sidewalks are evenly paved, and the streets are immaculately kept. Not a lick of dirt anywhere. This is where most of the wealthy dwell. The Garden District is for the richest and high-to-do families, but here in the Golden District is where I spent most of my career as a burglar. In fact, Señor Montenegro's house is a few streets away from where we are. How I'd love to veer off course for a few minutes to pay him and his wife a long overdue visit.

But Remus won't allow me out of his sight. Especially this late at night, after mandatory curfew. I peek up at him walking a few paces in front of me and narrow my eyes at his back. How easy it would be to sink my dagger into him, unsuspecting of the true danger I pose.

The way he stared at me during the secret meeting when Cassius explained they didn't kill innocent people has me questioning if he suspects me of murder. I know he won't come out and point blank ask me, but part of me wishes he would so I could confess my sin and truly let it go.

But I'm not the only one keeping secrets. I know damn well Olli didn't clam up because of some text that no longer exists. A lie and a telling one.

I spot the opening of an alleyway behind a few houses and decide I'm going to get answers one way or another. I might regret delaying sleep in the morning but fuck it.

I grab him by his back collar and shove him against a wall in the dark alley and press the barrel of my gun against his ribcage. "You're lying to me."

"Lying, Vibora?" He smirks, a danger sparks in his eyes as he stares down at me, not fazed by the revolver. "How could I lie to you when we haven't spoken for the last hour?"

"What is Olli guarding?" He opens and shuts his mouth quickly when I add, "And don't bullshit me about some Venturan records. You and I both know those don't exist. The Soberano cleared out those accounts when he staged his coup."

"Have I told you how lovely you look when you're angry?"

I push the pistol further into his side and smile when he grimaces in pain. "I don’t want to harm you, Remus, but you are leaving me little choice. I'm part of your crew and deserve answers."

"Are you part of my crew, little viper? I thought it was a silly club."

"I believe keeping my mouth shut when you tortured me earned my seat at your table. You want me to trust you, but you don't honor me with the same. This relationship will never work if you treat me lesser than yourself."

"Are we in a relationship now, Ines?" He lifts his hand and grabs the back of my neck, pulling me toward him. His thumb strokes down the center of my throat.

"We're partners."

"So, you believe because we work together, I owe you all my thoughts and secrets?" He tsks. "Why not ask? Why pull a gun on me and threaten my life? You know damn well I'm willing to die for my cause, for my people. You think these tactics will work on me?"

He's right. Forcing him to tell me the truth isn't going to make his lack of trust in me sting any differently. I decock my pistol and slide it into its holster on my hip. But before I can say anything else, Remus snatches me by the neck and whips us around, slamming me against the wall.

"If you pull a weapon on me again, Ines, I'll drop your corpse in the canal."

"Liar," I whisper with a grin and watch as he recoils. "You might talk a big game, but I know you'd rather fuck me than fight me."

"Oh, I want more than that, Ines," he growls, pushing his knee between my thighs and spreading my legs apart. The sound of his voice makes my stomach heat. "So much more,” he whispers against the crook of my neck, sending goosebumps rippling down my arms. Suddenly, as quickly as he pressed himself against me, he releases me and backpedals to the opposite side of the alley, raking his hand through his hair.

"Are you afraid of me?" I ask, and I'm not quite sure what answer I'm hoping for.

He takes a minute to ponder my question before shaking his head. "No. I'm not afraid of you. I'm afraid of myself."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"I'm afraid what will happen if I give myself permission to fall for you." It's a vulnerable admission that shatters my very soul. "You make me wonder what my future could look like when all I've ever questioned is the present."

"And if I don't see a future with you when all is said and done?"