“I suppose that’s the best we can hope for right now,” Sera agreed. Gideon left to see to the payment and Miles sat in one of the armchairs, legs extending to cross at the ankle and his hands settled behind his head.
“So. How’d you get an alderman involved in this?” Miles directed the question to Sera, his tone nonchalant.
“I…” She winced. “Long story.”
Miles pointed a finger at her. “Ah, I get you. That spark’s been primed to blow since you got here, so can’t say I’m surprised.”
“Excuse me?” Sera snapped, incredulous and irritated by the accusation that for some odd reason, fissured through her body as elation.
“What? Was it not obvious? The brother not know you’re…” Miles made a rude gesture and Sera rolled her eyes. “I mean, you,” He gestured to her body, “I get, but uh…” He looked Kieran up and down as he raised and lowered his hands like he was weighing Kieran’s fuckability. “I mean, I guess the heart’s blind to what it wants. Though I think you could do way better.”
“You are very cavalier with your words, Mr. Harrow.” Sera jumped, Kieran’s voice was directly behind her.When had he moved?
Sera thought she sensed fury radiating from him, but she couldn’t see a sign of it in his face or posture.
“Just observant,” Miles countered. “Am I wrong?”
“Yes.”
Sera and Kieran locked eyes, answering with the same ferocity and timing.
Miles looked back and forth between them. “Right. No, I definitely believe you. Nothing going on here at all.” He set a hand over his face, shielding whatever he mumbled to himself.
Sera was seconds from bolting. Or maybe slapping Miles. His knowing smirks and suggestions were beyond what she was capable of tolerating.
Kieran retreated again, hovering near the window. Sera studied a vase on one of the tables.
“But, you know, life’s a crap-shoot,” Miles continued, undeterred by the obvious tension. “I’m familiar enough with death to know there’s no way I wouldn’t jump at the chance to take something I wanted. You know, all parties willing and all that.”
Sera swallowed down the curses that threatened to spill from her mouth. She wanted Miles on her side and did not want to offend him when he had yet to deliver their message. But she was very close to telling him to go to the Infernal.
Several minutes passed in silence.
“Guy’s taking a long time,” Miles commented, paused, then added, “Do you think he got lost?”
“Mr. Harrow, would you be so kind as to allow me a moment of quiet?” She forced each feigned polite word through her teeth. “I’ve got a rather strong headache.”
She saw humor dancing in his eyes, and she waited for another quip or line that would make hitting him that much more tempting.
“Sure thing, brown-eyes,” Miles said, but the unnecessary pet name seemed to jolt the already tense atmosphere.
Gideon returned with a promissory note. He held it in Miles’s face, barking instructions without preamble. “Show that to the bank, and they’ll transfer the funds wherever you want. They know to expect you.”
Miles took the offered paper and saluted with it. “Pleasure doing business.” He started to head for the door, stopping to glance back at the room and then leaned in to whisper to Gideon, “I’d keep an eye on those two. Wouldn’t leave them alone for too long, if you value your furniture.”
“What the hell are you talking about?” Gideon snapped, though his face suggested he was trying very hard not to think about Miles’s implications.
Kieran strode after Miles, set on following him from the room.
Sera jumped in his path. “What are you going to do?”
He nearly stumbled trying to avoid crashing into her, maneuvering to the side so he chanced not a single point of contact. His eyes darkened on her, and while shivers danced along her spine, she wasn’t sure if it was malice or lust that had afflicted him.
“I will wait for you outside,” he said, easily avoiding her now that he had his bearings.
“Don’t bother,” she said, “I can find my own way. You’re free to return without me.”
He paused, turning back and there was the barest shift in his gaze to check over her shoulder. “I will wait.”
