I wish those words were true.
Reaching across, I grip the hand resting on his shaking thigh, offering him a gentle anchor. The shaking stops.
“It is good to see you’re alive,” Cade leans back, getting comfortable as he stretches out one arm across the backs of the chairs tucked beneath the table beside him, his finger aimlessly picking at a scratch marking the top of one of them. “I had heard you were dead. Anton requested my presence.”
“I knew he would,” I reply, squeezing Knox’s hand.
“Mm,” Cade agrees. “I declined, of course.”
“Why?”
“He’s a prick,” Cade scoffs, “Always has been. Your father was fine, a little up his own ass but,” He shrugs, “Harmless.”
My spine stiffens.
“But Anton has always been a raging cunt,” That finger continues to pick at the wood, “Then I got your letter.”
Swallowing thickly, I speak through my teeth, “Ihad no other choice.”
Cade grins, showing teeth and the glint of a tongue bar. “Clearly. But I am dying to know howthishappened,” He refers to Knox.
“Cade,” I warn, “Can we not?”
“Color me curious, princess,” He taunts.
I feel Knox stiffen beneath my hand, a muscle in his jaw ticking with his irritation.
“I ran,” I grind out. “Anton couldn’t just kill me in my house, could he? So he brought me out here and had Rio attempt to assassinate me, but that fucking prick has always been a bad shot.”
As if reminding me, my thigh throbs. Though the pain is tolerable now, the ache is present most of the time, and every now and then, it flares, sending a shock through me each time.
Cade curls his lip but urges me to continue.
“I escaped, found a barn to take shelter in, and Knox found me, and here we are.”
“Here we are,” Cade chuckles, “And you’re in this?” He asks Knox directly.
“I’m behind her,” Knox replies immediately. “I have her.”
Cade nods slowly. “Good.”
“And what areyougoing to do?” Knox presses, “Can we trust you?”
“I’m here, aren’t I?” Cade cocks his head to the side. “As for what I’m doing, well that’s down to Elena. I’m waiting for her instructions.”
I stifle my scoff. I have a lot of respect for Cade, regardless of how he comes across, heistrustworthy, but he isn’t a man who listens to instruction or demands.
“We need to attack.” I say.
“Just like that,” Cade presses. “You think that’ll work?”
“Can’t exactly invite him for a coffee and a pastry,” I bite.
“Perhaps not, but I can.” Cade grins, “Knox can too.”
My head snaps back. “Excuse me?”
“Which part didn’t you hear?” Cade blinks slowly.
