Page 25 of Contested Crown

“You must be hungry,” Cade said quietly.

As if on cue, my stomach rumbled. Shaking his head, Cade went back to the car, pulling out what was left of the food and walking over to the small table. He put the bag down, then grabbed some rags to begin cleaning the car.

Sitting at the table, I opened the bag and split what was left onto two plates. Cade worked quickly and, after washing his hands, returned.

“You need to make a choice,” I said quietly.

Slowly, I dragged a cold fry through the ketchup from the handful of small packets.

“What kind of choice?” Cade asked, sitting down and staring at the food on his plate.

“I have your back. You have my support. But Ineedto know what Leon’s plan is, and I want to stop it. Whatever it is. So, are you coming with me to Los Santos?”

I stared at Cade, waiting until he looked up. There was a distance in his eyes, some of the passivity that had left the past few weeks feeling aimless, even though we had spent them moving and desperately scrabbling to stay alive. Then something clicked, and his eyes sharpened, everything about him coming awake at once.

“We go to Los Santos, and we find out what Leon has planned. We stop him,” Cade said fiercely.

“We stop him,” I said, a grin spreading over my face. “Together.”

ChapterNine

Of course, it wasn’t as easy as that. We slept. The couch became a pullout with minimal fuss, and Cade didn’t even mention the silverfish that had scattered when we finally got the thing open.

We still slept back-to-back, each facing outward. I knew if I turned toward him, I would cling tight, whatever had caused him to come to me in the first place making me want him all the more.

It was like I’d seen a sliver of who he was underneath, and it made me hungry to see the rest of him.

The next day, we took all the money in the safe house, enough food to get us by for a few days, and headed out. Cade watched me out of the corner of his eye as I grabbed a couple of books off the shelf.

I also took a box from inside the safe. It was smaller than a shoebox, wooden and delicately carved. I didn’t open it before shoving it in the bottom of my duffel bag and zipping it up tight. My heart hammered in my chest, going so fast that my fingers tingled. I squeezed my hands tight.

Everything I had from the past was in that box. I couldnotlet Cade see it.

Cade didn’t say anything else, getting into the car with minimal sniffing. Despite Cade’s cleaning job, the car still smelled sickly sweet, the soda dried into the upholstery and floor mats. I sneezed.

“I hope this means that we aren’t stopping for any more fast food on our trip into the city,” Cade said dryly.

“Yeah, yeah, lesson learned.” I sneezed again. “Turns out you can teach an old dog new tricks.”

“Who would’ve thought?” Cade closed his eyes, rubbing at the bridge of his nose.

“I’m not sure that where we’re going is safe. Do you want to stay here and wait for me to get back?” I hadn’t turned on the engine yet, and I fiddled with the keys. One of Rick’s guys had fastened them with the key chain advertising a local insurance agent. The smiling man was surrounded by blue letters promisingI’ll have your back, even when no one else will.

I was glad someone would. Because right now, the rightful king of House Bartlett and the heir to the Emperor Wolf throne had only each other for backup.

“Less talking. More driving.” Cade waved his hand dismissively, raising an eyebrow when I frowned at him. “Miles, we’ve covered this. What else are… partners for?”

I snorted at that. “It was the spicy chicken sandwich, wasn’t it? That’s what sold you on our partnership.”

“Yes, yes, the spicy chicken sandwich is why I’m following you.” Cade’s lips quirked. “How can I resist a man that promises me cheap, cardboard chicken and fighting my cousin for the crown?”

“Hey, you’re going to be the one fighting your cousin. I’m probably going to be fighting the rest of your house. I know how action movies work.” And I’d be busy fighting for my own throne, but that would have to come later.

“I’ll need help,” Cade said. He pulled his chin back, shoulders straight, the perfect posture I was sure he had been taught since birth. “With my power as it is, I won’t be able to fight Leon by myself.”

I raised both eyebrows. “That’s what you want? To fight with me?”

Cade’s shoulders slumped, his chin going down, whatever confidence he had found disappearing as quickly as it appeared.