I stand up and step into the hallway, reaching up into the coat closet but not finding my hat.
Hell.
It seems I’m not the classic Sherlock after all.
I know where to start though. I took the wrong approach by confiding in Samson. He barely knows Neo and is as terrible as I am at matters such as these.
Luckily, there’s someone in this house who does know him. Someone who’s managing to make a relationship work with a Buckingham.
The craziest of us all.
It doesn’t take me long to track Ansel down. He’s in the cinema room, sprawled across Cade’s lap. From how they scramble up hastily, they certainly weren’t paying attention to the film on the screen.
I wince, making a mental note to ask Dotty to do an extra-thorough clean of the leather seats. “Sorry to interrupt the canoodling. Can I speak with you?”
“Now?” Cade asks in exasperation. “I kind of have a situation I need to take care of.”
“I’m sure you can last ten minutes without an orgasm.” I roll my eyes. The two of them are constantly fucking. I can’t imagine being that needy for another person.
Can’t you?
I clear my throat. “Besides, you’re not the one I want to speak to.”
“You want to speak to me?” Ansel’s brows hit his hairline. “Did I do something wrong?”
I don’t like that that’s what he assumes. Unlike his friend, Ansel has been the perfect guest whenever he’s spent time here. “Of course not. I would like to speak to you in private though.”
The last thing I need is Cade getting wind of me having fucked things up with Neo. He’ll never let me live it down.
“Sure.”
Ansel heads to the door, but doesn’t make it more than a few feet before Cade grabs his arm to stop him. “Hold up a sec, butterfly.”
My brother glares at me over his boyfriend’s head. “He’s not doing any work for you or The Firm. And if this conversation is connected to Umbra in any way, you can forget it right now.”
I tut. Cade takes protectiveness to the extreme. Given how we found Ansel that night in the warehouse, I don’t blame him. I’m not wired in the same way though. It’s better to understand and utilize the strengths of those around you, even those you love. “I know your rules. Don’t worry, this isn’t about work.”
“Color me intrigued,” Ansel says, ducking out of Cade’s hold. “Don’t worry, Titan, I’ll be right back.”
I lead us out to the gardens. Fresh air didn’t help last time, but there’s less chance of being overheard out here.
“So, what’s up?” Ansel asks, shoving his hands into his pockets. “Is this about my bestest friend? The one I’d die for?”
I round on him immediately. “Has he spoken to you? Do you know what’s wrong?”
“Whoa.” He holds up his hands, eyes wide. “Simmer down, big guy. Neo hasn’t said anything.”
“Fuck.” I rub a hand over my face. “Sorry.”
“It’s fine,” Ansel says with a small smile. “It’s kind of cute seeing you all worked up over him. You’ve never been like this before.”
“Of course I have,” I snap. I start to pace, trying to burn off some of the restless energy that’s lingering under my skin. It’s been there ever since my date with Neo. “He works me up constantly with all the bullshit he pulls.”
“Not like this.” Ansel’s eyes are bright with amusement as he watches me stalk up and down the path. “This is different.”
“It is. He isn’t pranking me anymore.”
“And that…bothers you?”
