“No,” I say again. This time it isn’t a whisper. It’s a resounding statement. An emphatic claim.
I’ll risk a lot in this world, but never Cade.
20
CADE
Something is off about Ansel. I can sense it as soon as I arrive home. Neo’s visit seems to have left him off kilter.
It takes a lot of effort not to find the guy and chop off his ears.
But I won’t do that. Not when I know how much Ansel loves him.
“What?” he asks, smoothing out his hair. “Is there something on my face? I did have an ice cream earlier with Neo.”
“No, you look perfect,” I reply. “As always.”
“How was work?”
I groan, giving him an eye roll. “Boring.”
Ansel shoots me a sympathetic look. “Oh shit. Were there a lot of meetings?”
“You could say that.”
That’s an outright lie, but how can I tell Ansel that it was boring because I didn’t get to kill the guy? Cutting off his finger was all right, but nothing to write home about.
I sigh and stare down at my hands. It’s a good thing I was able to wash up before returning home. And I always keep a fresh set of clothes in my car. However, the poor dry cleaners, who are paid to keep things quiet, have quite the job on their hands.
The man was a crier, and his veins produced far too much blood. More than usual.
Ansel shifts on his feet, looking almost tired.
I study him closely. “Did you nap?”
“No, I was busy with Neo. He just left, actually. I don’t think Wylder likes him.”
“I’m sure he doesn’t. Wylder likes very few people.”
Ansel grins. “Yeah, I got that impression.”
I step toward him and pull him into me. His hands twine around my neck as our chests meet.
“So, tell me what’s wrong. I know there’s something on your mind.”
He rolls his lips between his teeth. “Neo brought up a good point.”
“And what point was that?”
He hesitates, almost like he doesn’t want to agitate me. “He said I should be able to leave the house. Should be able to go out with you, because we can’t know if we work as a couple if we don’t go out into the real world.”
I want to hate Neo for making Ansel doubt things…but it’s true he’s raised a good point. Besides, I’ve got no problem with showing Ansel off. “Of course you can. I’d love to take you out. You’re not a hostage, but we do want to protect you. You’re safe here, but I don’t want you to feel trapped.”
Ansel peers up at me, and I can’t help but run my hands through his hair.
“I know. I think I want to go out. With you. I want to see the town. I’ve never explored St. Dismas before, you know? Not properly, anyway.”
My eyebrows rise. “Is that true?”
