Page 80 of Silk and Sirens

Selene was already seated at the glass table, a heater in the centre creating a cocoon of warmth against the night air.

“Good, you’re here,” she said, gesturing for me to take a seat beside Vivienne, who seemed to be vibrating in her seat. Her dark hair was styled in gentle waves, an oversized fur coat draped around her shoulders.

Renley stood directly behind Selene, his jaw clenched as he took in my unkempt appearance.

“Renley tells me you weren’t home,” Selene said calmly, her long scarlet nails tapping a slow rhythm against the table.

“Of course I was. Where else would I be?” I answered smoothly, pulling out my chair and sitting down. “I’m sorry I’m late, I was asleep.” I gave Renley the barest flick of a glance, daring him to argue.

Selene’s gaze lingered on me, as if she could peel the lie right off my bones. For a heartbeat I thought she’d push, but then she gave a small, gentle hum and let it go.

“Fine. Let’s get to business.” Her nails resumed their slow, rhythmic tap against the table. “Our safehouse was just hit. You wouldn’t happen to know anything about that, would you?” she asked, and once more I felt like I was under a microscope. As if she was searching for a sliver of deception.

“No more than what Renley messaged.” I ignored the chill against my skin, crossing my legs at the knee, the heater not enough against the wind. “Why would someone hit a safehouse? My sources say the Blackwater name is still completely under the radar.”

“Exactly,” Selene said, leaning forward slightly. “No one outside our circle even knew that building existed.”

I met her gaze, my expression neutral. “Are you accusing me of something?” I asked, letting just enough indignation bleed into my voice.

Renley chose that moment to move, circling the table until he was behind me. His presence slithered over my skin, and when his fingers brushed my shoulder, I forced myself to stay still. To not recoil or snap out in violence.

“Of course not, child.” Selene’s smile didn’t quite reach her eyes, and my stomach dropped. She knew I’d kept the Beast’s facility location to myself. “But someone talked. And I do hate surprises.”

Vivienne let out a bored sigh, inspecting her nails. “Mother, it was an old building. It was probably just an electrical fault or something. Not everything is a conspiracy.”

“I’ll run it through the network, anyway,” I added. “Just to be sure there’s nothing we need to worry about.”

“Do that,” Selene finally said, her tone no longer holding an accusatory edge. “We’re too close to have anything go wrong.”

Vivienne snapped a picture of herself, giggling as she typed on her phone. “Oh, I forgot to mention that we’ve decided that Caden’s dad is safe,” she said in my vague direction. “So make sure you keep all your poisonous little vials away from him.”

“I thought you wanted me to deal with him?” I asked, knowing I hadn’t planned to harm him unless I absolutely had to.

“Not while Vivienne is actively pursuing Caden. I think Alexander could still be … useful. Persuasive, even, if it comes to it.”

Vivienne smiled, tucking a strand of dark hair behind her ear. “I’ll know more after our date.”

Something twisted behind my ribcage.

Caden was a means to an end, an alliance I needed to survive, and nothing more.

So why did I feel pressure at the mention of their date?

“Just don’t get distracted,” I said coolly, my gaze flicking to Vivienne. “You’re not playing him for entertainment.”

Vivienne only smiled wider, completely unbothered.

“Aeris is right. A relationship with him secures our position and makes us harder to target when I finally reclaim our power. Before Sebastian Devereaux, we controlled the entire drug trade. Not just cocaine.” Her voice cooled. “It’s time my father’s legacy is restored.”

“Don’t worry, Mother. I’ll have him wrapped around my finger in no time.” Vivienne let out a soft, delighted laugh. “Men like Caden always fall for a pretty face.”

It won’t be pretty if I cut it up, I thought, ignoring the sharp stab of jealousy that caught me off guard. Which was ridiculous.

I didn’t get jealous.

Especially not over a man who I’d never wanted to be mine.

“Yes, darling.” Selene’s eyes slid to me again. “Make sure your information stays accurate, Aeris. I’d hate for any complications to arise.”