Hadrian heard the question, but he was too fascinated by the frail sprig of a woman in front of him. To save his life, he couldn’t imagine his brother with someone like her.
Nero usually preferred robust, tall women.
In fact, he couldn’t figure out how Nero didn’t crush her. She was more the size of a doll than a full-grown woman.
And as she swept a gaze over him, she took a step back . . .
“Yeah,” he said as her thoughts hit him. “I’m actually taller than Nero. But don’t feel bad, you’re not what I expected either.”
Mordacity’s gaze narrowed. “Why are you here?”
When Jayne started forward, Hadrian gently took her arm to stop her.
“She’s innocent.”
Jayne scowled at him. “Wait. What?”
“She really has no idea why I’m here.”
“Stop playing in my head!” Mordacity growled at him. “Can’t stand it when Nero does it and I don’t want you there, either.”
He held his hands up in surrender. “You know I can’t help it. But can we come in for a minute?”
She glanced to Hauk as if debating. Finally, she stepped back so that they could enter her teeny apartment.
Hadrian walked to the small living room that wasn’t made to host a large group. Hauk, alone, took up most of it.
Mordacity shut the door, then turned to face them. “So . . . ?”
There was no easy way to break it to her. “Jayne? Can you show her what Syn gave us?”
“Sure.” Jayne turned it on and handed it over.
As soon as Mordacity saw the warrant and information Syn had traced that pegged her as the culprit, she paled. “Is this a joke?”
“That’s whatwe’rewondering.”
“I had nothing to do with this. How stupid would I have to be?”
Mordacity had a point. Only an idiot would go against his brother, especially given their ability to pick the truth out of her head.
Jayne took her link back. “You think someone’s setting you both up?”
Maybe. Hadrian could see that. It would make sense. “How close are you to Nero?”
She held her hands up and made a hilarious face. “Your brother doesn’t share his feelings. I’m sure you know this. Some days, he’s like talking to a wall.”
Hadrian shook his head. “I wouldn’t say that given he tends to express himself quite freely around me. And more often than I like.”
“Lucky you. He’s a silent grave to me. I can barely get a meal preference out of him, and most of our conversations are me talking and him grunting.” She looked at Jayne. “Can I see that again?”
“Sure.” Jayne returned the link to her.
Her frown deepened. “Why didn’t this come up on my bounty sheets?”
Hadrian had no answer for that. “Jayne?”
“It should have, if she’s licensed.”
