“That’s more than enough for me to have seen the heart of you, Callum. You are a good person. If this is the course of action you’ve decided on, then it’s the right one.”
I sit back in my chair. “So you know what it is I have to ask of you?”
She nods. “I don’t think you have anything to feel guilty about, but if the guilt feels like it is going to consume you, then I will happily ease it.” She hesitates for a second before throwing back the remaining liquor in her glass.
“But?”
“But I have a request.” Her voice softens as her guard drops. It’s not often Lady Caterine reveals herself. I’ve come to search for her in her rare moments of vulnerability, but they typically seem to catch her off guard. This time feels more deliberate.
“Anything, my lady.”
She rises, untying the belt of her robe and letting the silky fabric fall to the floor. “Stay with me for just a while longer.”
I focus my eyes on hers so I’m not distracted by the sight of her luscious curves. The golden brown is hazy with wanting, and with something else. Something deeper. But there can never be anything more between us; both of us know it. I would be a fool to even hope for it. And yet it’s there, that hint of feelings.
I stand, sweeping her into my embrace, burying my face in the curve of her neck, lifting her easily, carrying her back to the silken sheets of her bed, where for a few more hours at least, we can keep pretending it’s only us.
—
When I wake,the night sky outside Caterine’s window is black as ebony. This should startle me, I know, somewhere deep down, but the fact doesn’t bolt me out of bed. Instead, I tilt my head, letting my eyes trace over the naked beauty tucked into my arms. Cate’s head rests on my chest, her golden hair spilling across her shoulders. She looks peaceful and calm and so beautiful it makes my chest ache.
I run my fingers along her bare arm.
She stirs, turning into me first before pulling away, blinking the haziness out of her eyes. “What time is it?”
I shrug, as if time doesn’t matter, as if I’ve forgotten what tonight is and what I’m meant to do. “Late.”
She sits up, the sheet falling to her waist. “Fuck, Callum. You have to go.” She pushes out of the bed, running to the window as if the night sky can tell her the time.
“It’s fine, my lady. I still have plenty of time.” Her frantic energy forms a pit in my stomach. I don’t have plenty of time. Maybe an hour or two at most. I know what’s waiting for me at home, and even though I’m in no rush to complete the deed, I promised my family I would take care of it quickly, before anyone else has the chance.
I rise from the bed, slowly making my way around Caterine’s suite to gather my discarded clothing.
She whirls away from the window, rushing around the space and shoving said clothing into my hands. “I’m not kidding, Callum. It’s already almost midnight. You need to get home.”
I tug my shirt over my head. “A few minutes more won’t kill anyone, Caterine.” I wince as soon as the words are out of my mouth. “You know what I mean.”
Her hands wring together as she wordlessly tries to get me to dress faster. “Shit. Shit fuck shit.”
I raise one eyebrow as I step into my pants. “Something wrong, other than the obvious?”
Tears well in her eyes and the sight punches me in the gut. “You’re going to hate me,” she whispers.
I drop my shoe and cross the room to her, taking her shaking hands in mine. “Never.”
“There’s something you should know.” She pulls her hands from my grip. “You are not the only one planning on killing your father.”
A chill sweeps over my body before sinking into my veins. “What do you mean? And how could you possibly know such a thing?”
She crosses to the other side of the small space. “You obviously know of my abilities. Well, my sister, Andra, she has a Gift of her own.”
“What kind of Gift?” One part of me wants to yell at her to say whatever she needs to say, and quickly. The other wants to linger in this state of not knowing for as long as possible.
“She’s a Seer.” Caterine wraps her arms around her middle, as if she’s trying to hold herself together. “I guess I should start at the beginning. After the Uprising, the club was in a lot of trouble. Money trouble. Harold financially helped support the rebellion, and our business took a hit, leaving us on the brink of closing. Harold wouldrather die than see that happen, so instead he married a wealthy woman. Lady M.”
My brow furrows in confusion. “I’ve never heard of her.”
“She sort of just appeared one day. When she married Harold and took over partial control of the club, she put all of us under contracts, most at impossibly high sums, so high we’d never be able to work our way out of them.” Her fingers tighten around her, her knuckles turning white.
