And because I’m seriously sick, I dare to say, “Imagine what she’d be like with us, brother.”
Even from this distance, I feel my brother’s darkness erupt. I drop my gaze to the district through the wall of glass, and for a second the stars themselves seem to flicker out of existence.
“Don’t even—that isn’t—” Kane can’t form a sentence, and I know he’s replaying the memory, because so am I.
I growl under my breath. “I know, fuck. I know.”
“She’s only just started speaking to me, we’re nowhere near—there isn’t a chance she’d…” And there he goes, lost to the memory. Again.
“I shouldn’t have said anything, shouldn’t have shown you.” I draw in a deep breath, then release a slow, calming exhale. “But…”
I lean forwards, elbows on my thighs as I study the moonlit district, hoping my brother takes the bait.
“But?”
I smirk. “Maybe you’ll get your own performance.”
He pauses and, knowing my brother, he’s probably weighing every possible reply. What I don’t expect is for him to send a new memory my way.
Kane rarely shares memories. Today, he offered Julien one and now, this—her clothes slightly rumpled, bathed in a soft glow, scarlet eyes peering up through lashes as she murmurs,“But I’d be taking up an awful lot of your time,enforcer.”
As abruptly as it came, it’s gone, leaving me with nothing but the moonlit sprawl of the district and the thunder of blood.
“And here I am, thinking I’m special,” I drawl, but the smile never leaves my face. “How many times have you replayed that, brother?”
I make my way to the bedroom, shedding my suit jacket and unbuttoning my shirt. Kane will probably ignore my teasing question, but I hold on, hoping he might give me something more, maybe even mutter something insulting before he—
“Too many.”
My fingers slip off the third button as a low laugh escapes me. Just knowing this little vixen has stirred something in my brother—gotten under his cold skin, awakened something beneath his stoic darkness—only solidifies all my thoughts.
“She’s perfect.” And as if the universe wants to punish me for voicing such an obvious truth, I feel her.
My feet carry me towards the sensation until I’m in the middle of the master bedroom, staring at a wall, knowing she’s behind that soft plaster and concrete.
What is it, a few inches thick? Maybe there’s a cavity too, but it’s nothing. It might as well be tracing paper.
“Ground yourself.” Through our connection, Kane must sense the shift in me, feel my darkness rearing up again as it pulls at his.
“Trying, brother,” I grit out, then inhale sharply through my nose.
This is fine. I move closer to the wall.
I’m fine.
Rest my forehead against it.
I’m in control.
Inhale again, like I can somehow breathe her in.
Completely. Fucking. Fine.
“Distract me. Tell me something. Anything.” I’m just going to stay here. Against this fucking wall.
“Sai was furious at your abrupt departure,” he says, and it helps, my lips curling at the thought. “Thank you for leaving us to deal with that.”
“Where are you now?” I ask, partly curious, mostly needing the distraction.
