Page 59 of Villainous Rise

The waiter nodded and retreated.

I turned back to Cipher, who had made himself entirely too comfortable. “So what exactly is your plan here? Are you kidnapping me? Planning an elaborate heist using me as your unwitting accomplice?”

“Such limited imagination,” Cipher replied, his mask hiding whatever expression might have accompanied those words. “I’m merely ensuring you don’t dine alone. It would be a tragedy to waste a reservation at Elysium.”

“How considerate.” I drummed my fingers on the table. “Look, I’ve spent the last hour being Valor’s personal prop while he fabricated an entire romantic history for Cassandra’s readers. I’m starving, my feet hurt in these ridiculous heels, and I’ve earned the right to eat my overpriced risotto in peace when it arrives.”

Cipher leaned forward, elbows on the table. “By all means, eat your risotto. I’ll even let you have my food.”

“You ordered food?”

“Of course. The wagyu. It should arrive shortly after your mushroom dish.”

The waiter returned with fresh wine. Once he was gone, I took a long, fortifying sip. “You realize this looks incredibly suspicious? Me dining with Havoc’s new Nemesis immediately after my supposed boyfriend leaves?”

“Suspicious or thrilling? The devoted Keeper secretly consorting with the enemy. It has a certain forbidden appeal.”

“It has a certain ‘get me fired’ appeal,” I muttered, though without much conviction.

“Your risotto will be here in approximately three minutes,” Cipher said. “Plenty of time to decide if you want me to leave. Or stay.”

The way he said “stay” made it sound like so much more than sharing a meal.

I studied him across the table, suddenly suspicious. “Are you actually giving me a choice? Because that would be a first.”

“Contrary to popular belief, I don’t do everything through coercion and intimidation.” Cipher’s voice carried that hint of amusement that always made me question whether I was in on the joke or the butt of it. “If you want me to leave, I’ll go.”

I sighed. I knew he was probably only giving me the illusion of choice. “Fine. You can stay. Against my better judgment, which seems to be my default setting lately.”

“Your better judgment is overrated.”

“My better judgment keeps me employed.”

The waiter appeared with my risotto, setting it down with a flourish before retreating again. The rich aroma of mushrooms and truffle oil made my stomach growl.

“Eat,” Cipher said, gesturing toward my plate. “Before your stomach stages a full rebellion.”

I didn’t need to be told twice. I took a bite and nearly moaned at the explosion of flavors.

The waiter returned with Cipher’s wagyu. The steak was a work of art. Perfectly seared, resting on a bed of something colorful.

Cipher didn’t even glance at it. His attention remained fixed on me as I savored another bite of risotto.

“You didn’t wear blue,” he said.

“Observant as always.”

“I specifically requested blue.”

“And I specifically decided not to care.” I took another bite, letting the earthy flavors of wild mushroom coat my tongue.

He tilted his head slightly. “The red suits you.”

I snorted. “Valor disagrees. According to him, this dress is too tight across my hips and this shade of red makes me look like I’m recovering from the flu.”

“He said that to you?” his voice was full of ice.

“In the elevator on the way up.” I shrugged, aiming for casual despite the sting that lingered from Valor’s critique. “Apparently I’m also hunching, my hair is a disaster, and I fidget too much with my hands.”