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“Are you always this evasive? It’s frustrating.”
“Are you always this curious? It’s tiresom
e.”
Nico studied her face. “No smile that time. You meant that one.”
Lila recalled the last time she’d flirted with a man for information. She shivered at her memories of La Roux, ignoring Nico’s hurt expression. “Pick another woman to lure to your cabin. I haven’t the interest or the time for silly games.”
Connell appeared at the door. His gaze shuttled back and forth between the pair. “Mòr and Kenna are ready for dinner. I’d like to eat before another seizure strikes. She hasn’t had one since yesterday morning.”
“Do you think it’s likely she’ll have another so soon?” Lila asked.
“I don’t presume to know. I just plan for the worst. The gods have been insistent little shits lately.”
Lila’s mouth hung open.
“I fell in love with Mòr, not the oracle.”
“She’s both,” Nico said. “She can’t help it.”
“I know, but I can hate the gods for doing it to her. If it was happening to your lover, you wouldn’t be so devout. One of these days, you’ll understand.”
Lila followed Connell into the dining room, slipping her note deftly into his coat pocket while Nico collected the wine glasses. The chief followed the movement but said nothing about it.
Luckily, Nico didn’t seem to notice. He was too busy staring, if the burning hole on her backside was any indication. He even sat beside her at the table, acting as if the last part of their conversation had never happened.
Dixon appeared after they had settled onto the bench, tugging a very sleepy Blair by the hand. She wore a pastel-blue sweater and neon-orange leggings. She rubbed at her eyes as she walked, her hair slightly tangled and unbrushed, like a child’s on a solstice morning.
“You’re up at last,” Connell said.
“I worked late last night trying to catch up,” she yawned, smiling softly as Dixon sat beside her.
He gave Lila a raised brow when he spotted Nico.
Lila shrugged and grabbed a platter as it was passed to her, shoveling an enchilada onto her plate. She did the same with the next platters, spooning out portions of rice and beans.
When she tried each, she couldn’t quite withhold the little moans that escaped from her throat.
“How long do you plan to remain with us?” Nico asked, and sipped his wine.
Before she could respond, Mòr raised her glass. “She stays as long as she wants.”
“But surely she’ll be missed at home?”
Lila poked at her plate. Despite all the friends and family she had on the Randolph compound, no one had tried to contact her, not even after the senate had cleared her of all charges. Even her brothers had remained quiet. Either they both hated her, or their matron had given them orders against them contacting her.
Beatrice Randolph had obviously made Lila’s exile clear to the family.
“My little sister doesn’t miss me,” Nico said. “She misses my migas. That’s what she told me in her last message.”
“You’ve been away for a few years, haven’t you?”
Nico turned a mocking grin to Connell. “Did you hear that, chief? The lady has asked about me.”
“And?” Lila prompted.
“I’ve been on the sojourn for eight years. I have another year before I return home to La Verde.”
