He swung his legs off my bed with exaggerated grace, wine sloshing dangerously close to the rim of his goblet.
“Spill a single drop, and I will rip your throat out,” I warned.
“You wound me, Brother.” His gaze darted to Callum before settling back on me. “And after I have worked so hard to establish the newfound camaraderie in our little group.”
I caught the way Callum’s shoulders tensed, his jaw tightening as he angled himself away from Riordan.
“Enough. You can play your games later.”
Riordan pouted. “Forgive me, sweetheart, as it appears your husband requires my sage counsel.”
Cadence chuckled and waved him off.
“I’ll be back soon, Killer,” he purred, winking at Callum.
I craned a brow. “Killer?”
“He gave it his best shot, and that’s all that matters.”
“You named him Killer because he tried to snuff out my existence?”
“I did!” Riordan grinned.
“You’re the worst fucking brother anyone could have asked for.”
“Come on, Ryker. Don’t get all moody. It’s not like you didn’t deserve it.”
He had a point, but I wasn’t about to concede that. Instead, I narrowed my eyes at him, and Riordan raised his hands in surrender.
“Fine, fine. Now tell me why you dragged me out here and away from the dreamy male specimen I was unabashedly ogling?”
“I took Cadence to the council meeting,” I said.
“I am aware, and?”
“And they weren’t pleased to have her there.”
“Surely that did not surprise you, Ryker.”
“It did not. What did surprise me was Lord Thorne’s blatant disrespect towards her, even though I stood at her side.”
“Crazy old fool has lost his marbles.”
“He’s lost more than that.”
Riordan groaned, rubbing his hand down his face. “You killed him, didn’t you?”
“You have to ask?”
“Not really.” Riordan sucked air into his cheeks before exhaling. “Fallon will take his seat, and he’s more of an asshole than his father was.”
“So I’ve heard.”
“Did you bring me out here to tell me your homicidal tendencies got the best of you? That’s a conversation we could have had inside. Trust me when I say no one would be the least bit surprised.”
“You know the council better than I do,” I said, ignoring his taunting. “Are they stupid enough to retaliate?”
“Against you? Not a chance.” Riordan pursed his lips. “Against Cadence, though… if they’re brave enough to disrespect her in front of you, they’re bolder than we thought.”
