‘What kind of tests?’
‘The boys know what to do.Meanwhile, get the truth out of him about the ritual.As much detail as you can.’
‘Maybe I should askyouwhat the truth is.’
Riley holds his gaze easily.‘Go on then.’
‘Is any of the stuff he’s saying true?’
‘He was the bodyguard who went down for the deaths of the Penhalyx kids.’
‘And you’re positive I’m not thisJules?’
Riley says, ‘Jules Penhalyx is dead.’
Kade’s anger rises hard enough to crest, but there’s nowhere for it to go.He swallows it back down; lets it burn through him rather than saying something catastrophically stupid and make things worse.
‘Fine,’ he bites out.‘I’m sorry.’
‘You need to work that anger out,’ Riley tells him, selecting a pair of shades.‘It’s not useful to either of us.’
‘Are you going out?’
‘Yeah.’
Kade’s heart leaps.Riley hardlyeverleaves the Tower.
‘I should go with—’
‘I want you here with him.’
‘What?’Oh, that hurts.‘Why?’
‘Because he’s an enormous threat and you’re my best.’
‘I’m your bodyguard.’
‘And I’m your boss.Your place is in the Tower.’
‘I’m sorry, Riley,’ he says louder, means it now, can’t bear the thought of Riley leaving the Tower, unprotected, alone,without Kade.‘Please.’
Riley catches Kade’s face in one hand, cool blue eyes studying him closely.‘We’re not joined at the hip.I need you here with him while I’m out.You’re the one I trust.’
‘But—’ Kade bites it back.‘OK, no problem.I’m sorry.’
‘I’ll be back before sundown.’
‘Heard.’
?
Kade walks out into the cool sunshine to greet theintruder, who’s waiting very patiently by the gate.Lachlan has shades on, facing towards the sun like he’s catching tan.He seems entirely at ease, relaxed even.Kade is anything but.
‘Hey,you,’ Kade says, aggressively.
‘Hey, you,’ Lachlan says, affectionately.
‘Why are you here?’
