Page 147 of Dark Night of the Soul

“Oh, she’s back,” he said. “Hm. I liked her better the other way.”

This guy looked like trouble with a capital T. A man who knew he was good-looking and wasn’t afraid to go after whatever flavor of the month he wanted. Broad-shouldered, relaxed, sitting there like he had nowhere else to be. Dark hair curling at the edge of his collar. All confidence and sharp edges. Eyes black as coal.

Kincade glared at him like he had death rays coming out of his eyes.

This was going to be a problem.

Before he could speak, I did. “Put your eyes back in your head.”

He laughed. Kincade looked pleased.

“Why? When you’re so lovely to look at,” he persisted.

“You clearly have a death wish,” I said flatly.

I marched past them into the kitchen looking for something to take the edge off. There was a single-cup coffee maker—hallelujah. I busied myself with that.

“I think we’re done here,” Kincade said. And I knew that tone. He’d used it on me plenty of times. He was well and truly done.

“But—” the new guy said.

“Lud, don’t push it,” Ulrich said.

“I like pushing it.”

I snuck a glance. New guy was leaning back in his chair, arms crossed over his chest grinning like a lunatic. And Kincade, well, he looked like he was ready to rip his face off. His hand fisted on top of the table. And that’s when I noticed the folder was open and the contents spread out everywhere. The three of them had been strategizing.

While I slept.

My lips flattened into a thin line as I picked up the full mug and stepped back into their line of sight. I’d forgotten creamer, but I didn’t care at this point.

“So, what did I miss?” I asked, looking pointedly at the blueprints.

Before Kincade could answer, the new guy said, “I bet he was letting you get your beauty sleep. Not that you need it.”

Good lord. This guy. He was still smiling. I lifted a brow. Why was Kincade sitting there letting him hit on me? Did he want to see how far he’d go?

“They just got here,” Kincade said, his tone flat.

Ah. So, he’d let me sleep instead of waking me up for this.

I could respect that.

“Who the fuck is this guy?” I asked.

Kincade didn’t look at me. He kept his eyes on the guy across from him. Ulrich looked uncomfortable.

“Ludwig,” he said. “And you’re done.”

Ludwig laughed like that was a joke. Like this was banter.

“Relax,” he said. “I’m appreciating the scenery.”

The air changed. Kincade leaned forward, palms flat on the table. Slow. Deliberate.

“You’re not,” he said calmly.

Ludwig’s grin widened. “Is that jealousy I hear?”