Page 22 of Fractured Memories

Stopping in front of her, I take a slow sip, savoring how her eyes follow the glass. She can pretend that she is unaffected by me—I’m enjoying it—but I see the way she watches my mouth, stares at my throat as I swallow.

“That is not why I brought you here.”

Her gaze jumps up to mine, and I swear I can see her mentally chastising herself. “Then why am I here?”

I step closer, making her tip her head back. The little space between our bodies feels charged, and I want to drag her into me. But she’s going to be a battle that is hard-won. And I can’t wait.

I loop my fingers around her wrist, tugging her to the table tucked in the corner. “You told me to try harder.” I set my whiskey down and uncover the main dish in the center of the table. I might not have gotten any information from Jude, but I did have him tell my personal chef what to make for tonight. “One thing you should know about me is that I can take direction very well.”

She tips her head to the side, and given the grin tugging at her lips, I know that I’m slowly winning her over.

* * *

Three weeks later…

“Are you ever going to tell them?”

I turn my head, surprised at Jude’s question. He’s just behind me, his eyes scanning the shadows between the cages as I make my way through the crowd.

I couldn’t avoid bringing Lochlan this time. He was on the verge of actually trying to fight me when he caught me trying to sneak out of my own damn house. He and Rohan have been too suspicious since I went into the city alone that first time.

I’ve managed two more dinners with Eden since then—even getting onto a first name basis. While I still enjoy the little jabs she throws my way, I’ve learned that her laugh is even more rewarding. She pretends she doesn’t want me, but I like the challenge.

I think she does, too. She wants to see how far I’ll go, and I want to earn everything she gives me. It’s led to very tense, sexually frustrated nights.

But it’s a form of foreplay we both seem to fucking love.

“They don’t need to know,” I finally answer as we skirt that cage in the back corner.

The guard lets us past, and Jude waits until I’ve opened the door that leads to the back rooms before he speaks. “Rohan is suspicious.”

“And what is he suspicious of?” Rohan trusts me with his life, so I know that he wouldn’t assume I was putting them in danger.

“That I do not know. He’s started to ask me more questions about where I take you, pulling the data on rotations and vehicle location.” We pause in the hall. “He is more subtle than Lochlan, but no less insistent on finding out where you are going.”

I step closer. “What have you told him?” No part of me believes Jude would be disloyal, but I can’t be blind in that trust. Even with him.

He cocks his head, and I can see his guard drop a little now that we are alone. “You know I keep my mouth shut, yeah?”

“That’s why you’re the only one that knows.”

“But that will only last so long.” He steps back, his jaw working. “I’d never tell you what I think you should do, Kieran. Just thought you should know.”

I squeeze his shoulder, knowing he’s telling the truth. “I’ll think about it.”

“Yeah.” He nods, and his eyes cut toward the door. “I’ll wait here.”

I consider just walking in, but I’m not sure I feel like having Eden’s blade at my throat today. So, I settle on knocking. Three loud raps, and I can hear her moving on the other side.

As soon as the door opens, though, I step inside, my hand wrapping around her wrist—which does have a blade in it, to no one’s surprise—and spinning us. Her back hits the door, closing it, and I pin her hand above her head.

I tsk. “I don’t think this is the cage, Eden.” I pluck the blade from her immobilized hand and toss it away as she glares at me. “Eager to spill some blood tonight?”

“Always.” She flashes me a deadly smile. “Which is why you should be tucked away safely, not back here provoking me.”

I chuckle softly. She makes so many jabs about me and my guard dog that I’m starting to think she truly thinks I hide behind my men. Do people really believe I wasn’t trained alongside them, pushed harder than anyone else? My mother would have rather killed me than let someone unworthy take control of her empire.

“Maybe I’m in the mood to fight tonight.”