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He could have stopped by to give me an update on his investigation into Hayes Barlow’s accusations. But if that were the case, he could have called. I sense this has nothing to do with Hayes Barlow, Callie Sloane, or Jameson Gates. Instead, it has everything to do with me.
And his brother.
Fixing a smile on my face, I smooth my hair over my shoulder to hide any lingering bite marks, then open the door.
“Adam,” I say brightly. A little too brightly. “I wasn’t expecting you.”
“Your Highness.” He bows toward me. “I apologize for the interruption. And for stopping by unannounced.” He pulls his lips between his teeth, his demeanor slightly agitated.
Most people probably wouldn’t pick up on it.
For a man who’s always been calm and collected, even in the face of danger, it’s quite noticeable. I’ve never seen Adam so off. So…distressed.
“No apology necessary,” I assure him, stepping back. “Please, come in.”
He nods his thanks as he enters my apartment. I close the door and walk toward the reading chair, lowering myself onto it.
“Won’t you have a seat?” I gesture to the couch catty-corner to me.
“Thank you, ma’am.” He sits, but his posture remains taut, as if at attention even while sitting.
“Would you like any tea?” I ask when he doesn’t immediately say anything, the silence thick with tension.
“I won’t be here long. I just hoped you could clear up a few things.”
“Certainly.” My face heats, nerves fluttering in my stomach. But I push them down to the best of my ability, not wanting Adam to be able to use his powerful sense of perception to observe how on edge I am. “What can I help you with this evening, Captain Lawson?”
He pushes out a sigh, his rigid and formal posture relaxing. He squeezes his eyes shut as he pinches the bridge of his nose. When he returns his gaze to mine, what I see within causes the feelings of guilt and shame I’ve battled all summer to boil to the surface, threatening to spill over.
“Are you sleeping with my brother?”
I part my lips, words escaping me. It doesn’t matter how many times I’ve imagined or prepared for this scenario. Now that I’m here, I’m at a loss. I’d hoped I never would be in this situation. That Creed and I would be careful enough not to raise suspicion.
“Adam, I—”
Holding up his hand, he straightens, mouth pinched into a tight line. “Let me remind you I risk my life for you daily so please give me the courtesy of respecting all the sacrifices I’ve made by answering me honestly.” He swallows hard, giving me an admonishing look. “Even if I may not like what that answer is.”
I can’t remember the last time I’ve felt so small. So uncomfortable. So ashamed. Which is quite a feat, considering the royal household loves to make me feel small. But that’s nothing compared to how I cower under Adam’s disappointed stare.
“Are you having an affair with my brother?”
His question echoes around me, taunting and shaming me for my indiscretions.
I have to suppress the urge to insist we’re not. An affair would imply something wrong and dishonest. If anything, my relationship with Jameson feels more like an affair.
But that’s not how anyone else would see it.
So instead of arguing on a technicality, I show Adam the respect he deserves.
I nod my confession. “I am.”
By his response, face squeezing, muscles straining, you’d think I just admitted to murdering puppies in my free time.
“I had a feeling. Noticed the way you looked at each other. Heard rumors you were spending quite a lot of time together. But then I also heard the rumors about the surprise baby shower so figured it was just office gossip. Lord knows, there’s heaps of gossip going around these days. But when I walked in on you together yesterday…” He pinches his eyes shut once more, shaking his head.
“I didn’t want to believe it. Didn’t want to believe the two of you could be so bloody stupid.” His voice grows louder. Angrier. “And to carry on like you have been right here under everyone’s noses.” He waves his arm around before leaning toward me, eyes on fire. “Did you think you wouldn’t get caught? That no one would talk?”
“I wasn’t thinking that far ahead.”
