Miles’s eyes met hers and then swept up and down without reservation. “You know me. But I do not know you and I make it a point to be acquainted with beautiful women. You are?”
“Sera,” she replied, keeping her tone abrupt and business-like. Her plan was to appeal to Miles’s rumored decency. Yes, his reputation as a prolific rogue was equally popular gossip, but Sera was determined to not resort to her charms. She wanted to start making better choices and even though Miles’s face was far from unappealing, she couldn’t summon a shred of desire for him. Plus, her brother was watching. They may not get along, but he’d probably gouge his own eyes out if she started throwing herself at Miles.
“Doesn’t ring a bell, but I neverforget a pretty face—yours especially.” He threw her a wink as he continued, “So, begs the question, how do you know who I am and what do you want?” There was something genuine about his tone that made his obnoxious flirting less irritating.
Still, Gideon tensed. His hands left his pockets and balled into fists at his side. Sera set a hand on his shoulder, putting herself between her brother and Miles so he wouldn’t do something rash.
Kieran, however, crept up without a sound and fluidly stepped in front of Miles. Was she imagining things or was deadly ferocity hidden in his eyes and the precision of his movements? “We need you to deliver a message to Thaddeus Wraith. You will be properly compensated for the trouble.”
Miles backed away a step, hand flying to his pistol. Sera had not expected hostility from Kieran, and as she watched Kieran’s hands return behind his back, she thought she spied tension in the set of his shoulders. Like he had used great restraint and hadn’t fully recovered.
“Oh, is that all? You should have led with the most dangerous name in Unity. Would have saved me a trip to whatever awkward reunion is going on here.” He gestured to the room.
Sera left Gideon to set a hand on Kieran’s arm.
Kieran’s silver eyes shifted onto her with the speed and intensity of a predator who had just caught the scent of its next meal. Like prey, Sera was momentarily stunned.
“Also, I’m more of a mercenary. Soldier of fortune. Hired muscle. My services are wasted as a postal courier. Thought that was well established by now.” He chuckled, and when no one laughed, pursed his lips. “I can see we’re a lively bunch.”
“We need you for your proximity to Wraith,” Gideon said, moving in with his arms crossed.
“Ah, I see. That makes sense. Can’t help you, but it makes sense.” He smiled and did a quick salute. “So if you’ll just point me toward the exit, air’s getting a bit tense.” He jerked his head toward Sera who had let go of Kieran’s arm, only for him to slip toward the farthest side of the room.
“Thought you were always in need of funds? We can pay. More than the hundred it took to get you here, anyway.” Gideon countered.
Miles laughed. “Well, I mean, you’re not wrong. I do often find myself more south of flush than I’d prefer. But what you’re talking about would cost a pretty penny. Say, five.”
“Hundred? Just to tell a guy something?” Gideon barked.
“To tellthatguy something, and it’s fivethousand. I can’t just waltz up to my boss and go, ‘hey, so I was chatting with some chick, a Winter Fae politician, and the Captain of the godsdamn Watchmen the other day and they asked if I could pass along a note for ya.’ Do you realize how fast that would get me demoted? Worse? You want me to take that kind of risk, you gotta make it worth the trouble.”
“Wraith will want this information.” Kieran's voice carried through the room. He could not have moved further from her without going through the wall. Sera’s blood simmered.
“Oh yeah? Why don’t you run it by me and I’ll decide what info he wants. Unless…” Miles glanced around him like he was searching for something. “Haveyoubeen employed by Wraith for the past five years? Spent time with him? Call him by his first name? No? Then it’s my opinion we’ll be trusting.”
Kieran didn’t visibly respond to the sarcasm, though Sera hadn’t expected him to. Gideon, however, was glowering.
“You’re awfully cocky for a guy who accepted a hundred notes to follow a stranger to his home,” Gideon said through bared teeth.
Miles shrugged. “I liked my chances.” He eyed Kieran and then Sera. “Is your sister here a guardian, too? Cause if not, then I still like my chances.”
“Leave her out—” Gideon started to storm forward, but Sera stepped in his path. She would have been easily knocked to the ground, but he pivoted at the last second.
“Enough. All of you.” This macho-bullshit was getting out of hand. Miles was still grinning like this was an amusing interlude on a boring day.
“Yeah, enough,” Miles agreed from over her shoulder. Gideon growled low in his throat.
“All. Of. You.” She took a deep breath. “I am the one who needs your help, Mr. Harrow.”
“And now I’m listening.” He gestured to Gideon. “You should have led with her, by the way.” To Sera he said, “Now, why does the lovely Sera need me to give Wraith a message?”
She gathered her thoughts and courage, but no one spoke, thank the Divine. “I need to break an arrangement with Cole Hawthorne.” It was risky to mention Cole’s name, but her read on Miles told her it was the right move. Some of the chipperhumor eased from his features, a more somber expression replacing his grin.
“Ah.” He shifted on his feet, appearing uneasy. She guessed that Cole’s arrangements were well understood by those in that circle. “I’m not sure how I can help with that, we’re not supposed to interfere with each other. It’s a ‘you do your thing, I do mine’ type of deal. But, for the record, Hawthorne’s a parasite.”
Sera raised her chin, feigning a sense of bravery she didn’t fully feel. “I have strong evidence to suggest Cole plans to overthrow Wraith."
Miles let out a laugh, loud and obnoxious. “That’s hilarious. Hawthorne wants to make a play for Wraith? Cole couldn’t beat an infant. Wraith’s heavily guarded at all times. He’s got an army willing to throw themselves into fire for him. Hell, even I wouldn’t lose sleep putting a bullet into Cole’s slimy face. He’s hardly a threat.”
