Page 52 of Blades and Bone

“For disrespecting Vivian, because you didn’t want to sit naked at my feet in front of your old family.”

“You can’t make me walk naked back to the house.”

“Don’t test me, because I am quite happy to sit here until midnight and do exactly that.” He smirked. “I’m sure I can find some way to pass the time.”

“I’m sorry for getting down without permission?” Did he need to ask permission to breathe, too? He was smart enough not to actually ask that.

Brodie inclined his head, and some of the tension in Hamish’s body eased. Today’s game was very different from yesterday’s.

“You’re still getting used to things. You may have intentionally jumped down to push and find out what I’d do next. In this case, I don’t think you did. I want you to start thinking before acting and before you open your mouth. When you’re alone with me, you can push as much as you want while keeping in mind that there will be consequences. You can also ask questions.”

“I’m allowed to do that?”

“Of course you are.”

“Am I allowed to put my clothes on?” The room was cold enough that there was some shrinkage, and he didn’t want to be standing around with his hand over his junk.

“What did you learn?”

“Fuck…I don’t know.” He raked the fingers of his free hand through his hair. “Don’t steal rope and clothes. Don’t talk back to Viv…the matriarch.”

“Anything else?”

There was clearly something else. Did he make something up or admit defeat? What was going to get his clothes on faster? He figured the second option, and he threw in the magic word for good measure. “I’m sorry, but I really don’t know.”

“Don’t embarrass me by disregarding my orders or going off on your own. Currently, that seems to be the best way to wind up dead. You got lucky this morning. He could’ve strung you up.”

Hamish’s hand was halfway to his throat before he realized. He’d thought he had the situation under control, that the man was ensorcelled and harmless. Even if he had been, someone else might have been watching and waiting. “Have you found him?”

“No. We need to be smart.” Brodie lifted his hand. “Not book-smart. I’m sure you can name all the bones and every major system in the human body, and your information on vitamin C was very useful. Perhaps cunning is the better word.”

He knew what Brodie meant. They were already three steps behind, and the Orlans were once again leading the dance. They’d all sat back and watched the feud with the Hadleys, thinking the violence was just part of it, not realizing that it was the distraction. While everyone was watching what was unfolding in Victoria, no one was watching them move one or two people into areas full of the unaffiliated.

“Get dressed, and we can go home.”

Hamish frowned. “But…” He glanced at his clothes, torn between dressing and being naked in Brodie’s office.

Brodie lifted his eyebrows.

How did he say it without getting himself in trouble? They were alone, so it shouldn’t matter. “How do I know when this is over because it kind of feels incomplete as no one came?”

“Good question.” Brodie smiled like he was actually pleased, which had the effect of making Hamish smile because he’d done something right.

Was Brodie training him like a puppy?

That was mortifying.

Brodie laughed. “The expressions that just ran across your face.”

His stupid fucking face that gave everything away.

“If making a mess is the start, then having cleaned up all the issues is the end. It was never about sex. That was a by-product of yesterday.”

“Oh.” He hated how disappointed he sounded. In the shower something had felt different, and for a few heartbeats he’d thought Brodie liked him…wanted him, instead of treating him like an annoyance that had been foisted on him.

He walked over to his clothes and picked up the shirt. There was no point in being naked.

“What’s wrong?” Brodie cupped Hamish’s jaw, so he had to look at him.