“Interesting,” she murmured.
Yes, it is.
Close to a year ago, Jude Novak, one of the five members of the Arcane Council, had been forced to resign, and the details behind that were kept deliberately vague. But Grayson had contacts in unlikely places, who’d mentioned the possibility of treachery and attempted murder. Whatever the truth, filling the seat left empty by one of the biggest powerhouses in the Arcane world took serious time. Grayson was not surprised that Burton, with his immense business influence and money and his old-name Family, was one of three names under consideration. The sight of him talking to Rhea, Elias, and Russ with a familiar ease raised a few red flags, mainly because Grayson was a cynical soul and could think of many unsavory reasons a business mogul who might soon rise in power would consult a highly regarded strategic forecasting company, especially considering the rumors that a decision was imminent.
Or you’re letting the past get in the way of logic.
He ignored that rational voice as Cole caught his eye and lifted his chin in silent acknowledgment, a move that wasn’t missed by Russ or Rhea. Both turned to look for who had Cole’s attention, and when they spotted Grayson standing with Cass, they frowned, Rhea in consideration and Russ in displeasure. Tension spiraled through Grayson, but he returned Cole’s gesture.
Cass, who had caught the exchange, turned back to him. “You know each other.”
He looked at the woman in front of him. “He knew my parents.”
She didn’t miss the verb tense, but instead of pressing, she murmured, “Looks like he knows mine now too.”
As if hearing her, Rhea lifted an imperious hand to motion them over.
Cass sighed then half turned and took his hand. “Come on. Let’s get this over with.”
He let her lead the way for a few steps before falling in sync at her side. A slight breeze swept by, rustling the nearby leaves. Dappled sunlight followed them as they headed over. They hadn’t gotten far when Cass stumbled, and a small gasp escaped her.
He managed to keep her steady, but before he could ask if she was okay, she spoke in a low, urgent tone. “Who’s the woman with him?”
“No clue.” He adjusted his hold from her elbow to her waist as he picked up on her curious tension. “Why?”
She shot him an unreadable look and started to say something but stopped as two older women moved to intercept them. “I’ll tell you later.”
And that wasn’t at all ominous.
The women had been friends of Iris, but they knew Cass enough to give her a hug while quietly sharing their condolences. She handled it with a grace that Grayson had discovered, over the course of the morning, came naturally to her.
When they finally reached her parents, it was Elias who made the introductions. “Cole, this is my daughter Cassandra and her friend?—”
“Grayson.” Cole’s smile was warm and sincere as he let go of the woman at his side and held out his hand to Grayson. “I wasn’t expecting to see you here.”
Grayson stepped in and shook his hand. “Sir.”
“Oh, you two know each other?” Rhea asked as Grayson retook his position at Cass’s side.
“We do.” Cole reclaimed the brunette. “His father and I worked together off and on through the years.”
That earned him a speculative look from Rhea, but Grayson wasn’t about to give her an opening to pursue her curiosity. Neither, it seemed, was Cass, who turned to the watchful brunette at Cole’s side and said, “Hi, I’m Cass.”
The other woman’s lips turned up, and amusement flickered in her eyes as if she understood Cass’s play and was happy to go along with it. “Hello, I’m Dana Marr.” She sobered a bit. “My condolences on your loss.”
“Thank you,” Cass said before stepping back to Grayson’s side. “Were you friends with my grandmother?” Her question was aimed at both Dana and Cole.
Rhea scowled briefly before her features settled into a more neutral expression, while Elias’s distant air gained a hint of disapproval.
What is it with these two? Their initial response to every interaction with their daughter was borderline defensive. No wonder Cass no longer tried to play nice. It had to be exhausting to feel like you were walking on eggshells every time you opened your mouth.
Dana shook her head.
“I was, actually. Her and Dorian,” Cole said.
For a moment, Grayson couldn’t place the name, but then it hit him. Dorian was the name etched on the shared headstone where Iris now lay.
“My ex-wife and I spent a great deal of time with your grandparents,” Cole said wistfully. “We lost touch with Iris after she lost Dorian. Then Lacey and I divorced, but I always meant to reach out.”
