“Is that a problem? It never was before.” Brigid feigns innocence, but her gaze suggests something more sinister. She runs her fingers through my hair. “It’s getting longer.”
“I thought I made it clear before I left that we needed boundaries, Brigid?” I ask. When I ended things, she agreed wholeheartedly, saying I was a nice distraction but not the settling down type. After sleeping with her for months, I expected her words to sting, but I felt nothing but indifference.
“Relax, babe, I didn’t touch anything. I’ll wait until you ask me to.” Brigid winks.
“Ugh, could you . . . move?” I ask, giving her a nudge for some personal space.
Brigid’s always been flirty, but I’m not here to rekindle anything. I need her help with Eddo. That’s it.
Brigid blinks, momentarily taken aback, but then hops off me gracefully. Her eyes lock with Gianna’s, and the air crackles with an unspoken challenge.
“Who are you?” Brigid asks.
Gianna’s response is cool; her smirk sharp. “I’m Wilder’sgirlfriend’sbest friend. Perhaps you’ve heard of her? Leigh Raelyn, yourqueen.”
Shit. Angering Brigid before I could win her to my side wasn’t the plan.
Brigid laughs. “I’m aware of who she is. Not that she’ll be my queen for much longer.”
I stiffen. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
Brigid cups my cheek. Her thumb is dangerously close to my mouth. “Oh, baby, there’s so much you don’t know. How about we catch up tomorrow? Coffee before work?”
I peel Brigid’s hand off my face. “I was hoping to talk tonight.”
“About?”
“I need to check out the damage at the power station. Speak to Michael, but Eddo is being difficult. I hoped you could speak to your dad to set up the meeting.”
Brigid cringes. When I first moved to Aurora, she had just broken up with Bryant Bersa—son of Michael Bersa, the power plant owner. Now, Bryant is serving time for trying to frame Brigid for a crime she didn’t commit. Solving that case and proving her innocence was our first collaboration, and it cemented our friendship. I hate reminding her of that dark time when her freedom was on the line, but it’s not as if I asked her to accompany me to the station. I can handle with Michael alone.
“I might be able to do that,” she says. “If you agree to have breakfast.”
“I thought Blades were against extortion?” Gianna mumbles.
Brigid glowers at her. “Seeing as you are Elio’s daughter, you’d know all about that.”
Gianna gapes at Brigid. So do I. “I thought you didn’t know who I am?” Gi asks.
“Babes, I know all about you. Which is why—I hate to ask—but should you even be drinking?” Brigid’s gaze lands pointedly on Gianna’s drink. “Didn’t you just get out of rehab?”
I suck in a breath. “Brigid, what the fuck? Not cool.”
“Not that I need to explain myself, but it’s non-alcoholic,” Gianna retorts.
“Congratulations,” Brigid says with zero enthusiasm. “Daddy must be proud you’re sticking to the program.”
Gianna’s hands make fists, but Brigid smiles, eager for a fight.
“You should go, Brigid,” I encourage. Her eyes widen, as if she’s hurt I’m choosing Gianna over her. I’m trying to avoid turning Furies into a boxing ring. “I’ll see you in the morning.”
With a triumphant smile, Brigid stands. “Looking forward to it.” Then she joins a nearby table of Blades I recognize.
Gianna speaks first. “I’m guessing you two had a thing, and I don’t need to guess that she still isn’t over it. I suggest you nip that in the bud before Leigh finds out.” I open my mouth to explain, but she’s already moving on. “Where’s the fucking bathroom in this place?”
Once I’m alone, I bury my face in my hands. What the hell just happened? Angering Brigid couldn’t have come at a worse time. I need her help. At the same time, upsetting Gianna, who I still suspect is here as some sort of spy for Leigh, is also not a good idea. By the end of this trip, these girls will tear me in half.
The pulsating beatof Little Death thrums through my body as I take a sip of my lukewarm cocktail. Around the expansive private room, Council members—including the new Nebula representatives and Keris—indulge in the night’s revelry. The pungent scent of alcohol and raucous laughter permeates the air. I’m surprised Keris accepted my invitation, given Stellan’s scathing article about his last visit here.
