“Yes, I did. It was nice doing some physical tasks,” Roark says.
“You sit mostly at a computer?” I realize that I don’t know much about what he does. Chief of Security, he told me when we met. But Leo calls him one of the gentlemen. And the staff I do see seem to treat him like they do Kieren.
“Here, yes. At home...I’m a bit more on the move at home.”
This isn’t the first time they’ve talked about the castle not being home. “Where is home?” I take a sip of my water.
He shakes his head. “I suppose this is home now. We’ve spent a lot of time here for the last ten years. Home is where you hang your . . .”
“Hat?” I suggest with a laugh.
“I don’t wear hats.” He’s not going to answer my actual question.
“I suppose leather jacket works, then.”
“And did you? Have a good afternoon, that is?”
“Yes. Thanks for your help. I was able to give the area where the cabinets are going to go a good scrubbing. It’s amazing how much dust has accumulated since the collection was put in there last month,” I say lightly, waiting for a reaction. Will he tell me why the collection was moved in there? From where? And more importantly, why? I want to know. It doesn’t matter, but my darn curiosity won’t leave it alone. Or will this be another thing that he brushes aside with a clever comment?
“You are indeed smart.”
I lean back in my seat. Weird how that phrase can be both praise and an attack. “Thank you?”
“It’s a compliment. Where we had the collection stored, I’m told, wasn’t good for it. My dragon doesn’t agree, but seeing what you’ve done, Kieren was right.”
I’m trying to picture what he’s talking about. Where could they have had the collection that’s worse than where it is now? More windows and stone floors? A hot attic? A leaky basement?
“This is killing you... I can see it on your face.” There’s a twitch in his neck. “You’ll have to trust me. It’s better off in the vault—the old banquet room is far superior.”
I’d really hoped he’d take the bait and give me a real answer. But then, I suppose you don’t become a billionaire dragon shifter without being able to spot someone fishing for information. “It will be after tomorrow. After the cabinets, I’m going to work on improving the lighting. I just wish I could be here to see the cabinets installed.”
“Right, Leopold mentioned something about a quick trip to Zurich,” Roark says.
Evander bounds into the room. “Who’s going to Zurich?”
“Raine is, though Leopold didn’t mention why to me.” Roark turns to me.
Evander settles himself at the table. A steward flows out of the pantry and fills his wine glass. “A day trip to Zurich. Sounds like fun.”
“Definitely not fun. I’ve been called in for them to look at my paperwork. Leo says it was the only day he could get for me, and you know the cabinets are being installed tomorrow. Don’t get me wrong, I’m glad he found my error and was able to get me an appointment before they kicked me out of the country for not filing the right form.”
“Sounds like good timing, then. Bureaucracy can be so uptight about their paperwork.” Evander leans back and stares at Roark.
“I wanted to be here to make sure the art is protected. And that the cabinets are installed correctly.”
“Leopold will handle those details,” Evander says.
“I know. He said he would. It’s just, I would feel better if I were here.” I take a sip of my water.
Roark glances to Evander. The hairs on the back of my neck go up, like there’s a charge in the air. The way the two of them glance at each other, though? I’m missing something. I’ve never liked secrets—they drive me crazy—and it feels like this place has enough to fill every room in the castle.
“Leopold is a perfectionist. He’ll make sure the art is protected and the installation goes off without a hitch,” Evander says.
I nod. But it doesn’t make me feel better.
Three courses in, when I’m cutting my steak, I askmyself why I ever stayed in my room instead of coming down for dinner. Well, fear, shame, lust... I guess those are three reasons. Not necessarily good ones.
“I’m glad to see you eating, Raine. I was concerned by you not taking dinner.” Evander cuts a chunk of steak and eats it.
