We?
Daniela marched into the dining room. Today she wore flowing fabric pants and a shirt that covered most of her waist. She grabbed a muffin and seemed unusually quiet before turning on her heels.
“You probably should eat more than a muffin for breakfast,” Eric said, drawing Adria’s attention.
Daniela froze at the sound of his voice, and when she turned, the flush in her cheeks was obvious. Adria watched, mouth open, as she leaned seductively over Eric and grabbed a handful of grapes to go with her pastry.
“Happy, old man?” she said, before turning and leaving the room.
Adria watched Eric. She watched his eyes follow the girl as she left, and she watched him physically change back to his everyday self once Daniela was out of sight.
Interesting.
He didn’t normally go for brats.
CHAPTER 30
POLANCO
Bryson’s fork scraped against the china as he pushed eggs around his plate. His knee bounced beneath the table, rattling the silverware.
“What’s your problem?” Elena whispered, leaning toward him.
“I don’t like hiding,” he murmured, his voice barely audible over the clink of cups.
Elena’s eyebrow arched. The unspoken challenge hung between them:speak up then. But what could he say? X seemed like their only option, yet meeting with him solved nothing. The Triune still hunted them, and every move only made them appear guiltier.
“Maybe we should reach out to someone from the Nine? Get some inside information,” Bryson said.
Every head at the table turned toward him.
“Any suggestions?” Eric asked.
“Helen or my father.” The names tumbled out before he could stop them.
Silence descended. Gazes dropped to plates, to napkins, to anywhere but him.
“We can’t talk to Dad,” Elena said, her voice slicing through the quiet. She leaned closer, speaking only for him. “You know that.”
Adria’s green eyes found his. “I have considered talking to Helen.”
“And?”
“I want to discuss it with X in person.” Her tone closed the conversation.
Kaydon set down his fork after demolishing his fourth waffle. “That was very good, Mr. Galician. Thank you.”
He rose, his gaze lingering on Adria with unmistakable hunger before he left.
Despite the frustration Bryson felt from the earlier conversation, he couldn’t help but smile at Kaydon’s carefree attitude.
Adria’s cheeks colored as she shifted in her chair. She dabbed her lips and excused herself.
Bryson and Seth followed, feeling the weight of stares tracking their exit.
The room had a soft glow as the now late morning sun was filtered through the white curtains and eaves above the porch. Kaydon sat on the edge of the bed, and Adria was pacing the length of the room.
Bryson glanced at Kaydon, who just shrugged.
