“It’s not my business to tell,” Kieran answered.
“Like hell, she’s my sister—”
“And a grown woman. I’m not in the habit of making choices for others. Your family drama is not my concern.”
“Listen!” Sera jumped to her feet and stepped in front of Gideon, who had taken a heavy step forward like he was about to charge. Leave it to Gideon to needlessly escalate a situation. “It doesn’t matter either way. You know now, and we already have a plan in place. I’ve got this under control.”
“What plan?”
“Divine above!” Sera resolved that there would be no keeping him out of it anymore. Gideon had gotten involved. “Cole works for Thaddeus Wraith.”
“Fucking hell, Sera.”
Breath steamed from her nose. She had to speak through her clenched teeth. “And Wraith should be able to stop him, since we have proof enough that Cole intends to make a grab for Wraith’s power. Once we secure a meeting—”
“Harrow,” Gideon interrupted.
“What?”
“Miles Harrow. He works for Wraith. And there’s no reaching Wraith, we’ve tried. He’s got too much security and is too firmly entrenched in Demon Row. But Harrow shows up at the Wandering Mare looking for mercenary work all the time. But his position with Wraith is well known. Harrow is capable and often in need of cash. He can get a message to Wraith.”
“I can’t just waltz into the Wandering Mare. That’s too close to Cole. And he’d know if I spoke with Miles.”
“I can do it.”
“No, this is my mess.” Sera sighed. “I have to speak to him.”
“And if that doesn’t work, you mentioned he’s often in need of funds,” Kieran said, drawing a look from Sera. She had a guess what he was about to suggest, and her instinct was to let him. Letthe rich, handsome gentleman throw some coin at her problem. It made her life so much easier and there was no way she’d ever get enough to do any good as payment, even with her ‘secretary wages.’
“No,” she said, surprising herself.Why the hell would she not let him pay for the information?
She swallowed, not wanting to think about it too closely about the reasons she wouldn't take Kieran's offer. “I’m not taking your money. There will be other ways to persuade him.”
“I am not offeringyouthe money,” Kieran said, “I am offering it to Harrow.”
“Holy shit, you’re impossible.” She set a hand on her forehead. “It’smyproblem you’re trying to fix. I don’t need your money.”
Kieran’s gaze was steely and direct, his arms behind his back in that casual pose he always had. Sera was flushed, her cheeks red, her breaths heaving. She did not want to have this discussion. If he probed, she’d think about why she was refusing his offer, and that meant her thoughts returning to just how close she was to catching feelings.
“I can pay,” Gideon said, not reading the room at all, “and youcanaccept it.”
“Why? Cause you’re my brother?” she snapped.
“Yes, exactly because I’m your brother. I have a great salary and I don’t even use half of it. I’ve offered before, but since we’re talking life and death, I think we’re well past pride.”
She huffed. It wasn’t pride that kept her from accepting Gideon’s help all these years. It was… a lot of things. The thought of being a burden. The reminder that she couldn’t do it on her own. The way Gideon always preached down to her, like he knew better, had always made accepting offers of assistance insufferable.
But he was right. And if she accepted Kieran’s offer, she would be even more in his debt. Normally, the currency fortransactions with powerful men was clear, but Kieran had still not cashed in. Not even when he could have taken what he wanted last night before throwing her out for her perceived betrayal. She looked at the floor. She couldn't afford to be in any more debt to him.
“Fine. Thank you, Gideon.”
He chuckled. “Don’t thank me until it works. I’ll send word when I have something.”
“Fine. Great.”
He left without a proper goodbye, probably working out exactly what he planned to do before he even left the door.
Leaving her and Kieran alone.
