Page 144 of Beautifully Ruined

There’s a dark cloud that passes over his features, one he tries to hide. “Not sure. He says we need to meet.”

His phone buzzes again. And he hits answer. I can hear Enzo’s voice but not the words.

“Yeah.” Cade swings out of bed. “I heard you. Urgently…fine I’ll meet you there. Give me fifteen.”

He hangs up, and he’s already halfway to the bathroom.

I’m up, too, following him. “What’s up, Cade?”

“I don’t know.”

I jump in the shower with him. “I’m coming too.”

“No, you’re not.”

I am.

I steal the soap and have the world’s fastest shower and jump out, leaving him to finish up. Then I get dressed and ready in minutes, so I’m waiting for him by the door when he comes hustling out of the bedroom in his jeans, T and hoodie. The backpack on his hand.

He stops, looking at me. “No.”

“You’re wasting time.” I open the door. “Come on.”

“I don’t have time to argue,” he mutters, locking up behind him.

The diner is one where I’ve bought a breakfast bagel before, and I’ve been to with Jack. Cade is more order in than go to a diner. Probably because he spends so much time working.

And…and maybe going to sex clubs? Back before we met. Because there’s a lot about Cade I never knew back when I was dating Jack.

Enzo waves us over, and the waitress comes with coffee.

I order a bagel with cream cheese and lox, and Cade just asks for the yoghurt, oats and berries.

“Are you fifty?” Enzo picks up a piece of his bacon and munches on it.

“Nope, just not looking for clogged arteries like you.”

Enzo grins. “You know me. I like to live on the wild side.”

“What was so urgent?” Cade sips his coffee.

“I did it. Asked my uncle for help.”

I frown, scooting a little closer to Cade, hand going to his thigh as I try to work out what I’m missing. Because I’m missing something.

There’s a tension vibrating through Cade, and he’s totally focused in on Enzo.

“Fuck.” Cade sets his cup down, fingers tightening on it.

Enzo meets his gaze, and there’s something unspoken that passes between them. “You asked, man.”

“I’m aware.”

“He got back to me pretty fucking quick.”

Cade blows out a breath. “Did he say what he might want?”

Who is this uncle of his? He sounds like a big deal.