He grunts as if I’ve asked him something offensive. “All good.”
“Sit down,” I tell him.
He shifts his weight, a scowl tugging at the corner of his mouth. “You should go to bed.”
I scoff. “You don’t get to boss me around in my own home.”
When his jaw only clenches tighter, I sigh and flick my wrist. Two crystal tumblers drift into place. The whiskey decants itself, amber and molten under the firelight.
I nudge a glass toward him. “Sit. Drink. You look like you need it. I promise not to narc.”
He eyes it as if it might explode. “I’m on duty.”
“And I’m technically engaged to a psychopath, but here we are.” I lift my glass. “Besides, who am I going to tell? The plants?”
Kane grumbles again, but after a long pause, he sinks into the armchair opposite mine, the glass dwarfing in his massive hand.
“How was your day?” I try.
“Fine.”
“Eventful?”
“No.”
“Wow, riveting conversation.”
His fingers tighten around the glass. I track the way he takes a careful sip, testing waters he clearly doesn’t trust.
“How’s your family?” His whole body goes rigid. “Kane?”
“I shouldn’t discuss personal matters.”
“Oh, please. You probably watch me sleep. You’re one sugar cube away from brushing my hair like we’re best friends.”
“I don’t watch you sleep,” he mutters, but there’s less edge to it.
“Sure, sure. I won’t tell Dom if you don’t. He does get so jealous.” When Kane’s expression darkens further, I lean in, the humor fading. “Seriously. What’s wrong?”
He exhales hard through his nose. Then, after a long, grinding pause, he mutters, “It’s my partner’s sister. Layla.”
I blink, caught off guard. “What about her?”
“She lives in the Lower Rings. Been off lately. Her messages haven’t sounded like her. Clipped. Mechanical.”
“Maybe she’s just busy? Or stressed?”
“That’s what I thought. Until I saw the announcement.”
I straighten. “What announcement?”
Kane’s voice drops lower. “It wasn’t aired up here. I wouldn’t have known, but I went to check on her. It came on—big screen, public square, all cheery music and bright visuals. About a new opportunity.”
“And Layla?”
“She’s gone. No note, no contact. Just vanished.” He drains his glass. “The announcement kept repeating lines about ‘advancing medical science’ and ‘serving the greater good.’ But something was off.”
No.
