Page 72 of Exiled Heir

“The entire council knows I stole the money.” Cade fisted one hand, the skin going black as his magic seethed over his fingers like water from a fountain. “Stole. As though it isn’tmymoney. That money belongs to Family Bartlett. The rest of them are leeches, holding jobs and positions that come with stipends.”

I raised my eyebrows. “Leeches who have control of the purse strings.”

“I intend to bring it up at the next council meeting,” Cade said. “If I had bought the property on my own, they wouldn’t have been able to say no. But I can’t risk that now—they all want to know what I spent the money on. Maybe I can get them to see reason…”

He exhaled sharply.

“Do you think that will work?” I asked.

“No, but Ihaveto try,” Cade said.

“Okay. Now the question is, who’s mad enough about the missing money, or you ascending, or the land deal to want you dead?” I tapped a finger against my hip, running through all the different options.

“I don’t know. I need you to tell me.” Cade shook his head. When he looked at me, there was something vulnerable in his eyes, something I’d never seen before. “Isaac isn’t wrong. You are the perfect person for this job.”

My throat dried, and I wanted to reach out and touch him, but instead, I looked at the clock on his bedside table. “It’s late. We can talk more in the morning.”

Cade nodded. “I left out pajamas for you.”

He gestured toward the closet, then stood, brushing off invisible lint. He went into the bathroom, and I heard the water turn on. In the closet, I saw a pair of sweatpants and a loose shirt, already sized correctly for me.

I put them on, leaving my own clothes on the center display. By the time I got out, Cade had already tucked himself in bed, the curtains pulled closed.

“Good night, Cade,” I said, turning off the light.

There was a long stretch of silence before Cade spoke. “Thank you, Miles.”

If he had nightmares again, they didn’t wake me.

ChapterTwenty-Four

The next day, Cade was already dressed when I woke up. I stretched, my joints cracking.

“Where are you going?” I asked.

“House business,” Cade said shortly.

I bit back a frustrated grunt. For every shred of information he gave me, I felt like I was always back at square one with him.

“I should go with you,” I said. “Let me just get dressed.”

Cade shook his head. “No, you’re right. The staff won’t talk to me, but maybe you can get something out of them. We need to find out who else Keith was selling information to.”

“And if someone tries to kill you?” I raised an eyebrow.

“If I’m not safe here at House Bartlett, I’m not safe anywhere. I’ve survived twenty years without you; I think I can go a few hours.” He reached for the door again, then hesitated. “The scent.”

I stepped forward as he turned around, pressing his back against the door. Slowly, I reached forward. He pulled down on his collar, exposing his neck, and I rubbed my wrist against it.

His whole body shivered, and he swallowed. I felt his Adam’s apple bob against my wrist. I rested my hand on his shoulder and lifted my other wrist to his neck. Lingering for a moment too long, I was drawn to the slide of his tongue over his bottom lip.

With a sharp shake of my head, I pulled back, dropping my hands.

He reached out and pressed his own wrists against my neck. When it was done, I remained where I was, wanting to see where else he would shiver if I touched him. He swallowed again, straightening himself and pushing off the door, then turned and left.

With the room empty, it felt colder. I stripped off my pajamas, heading into the closet to find the clothes from the day before. When I brought them to my nose, they smelled freshly laundered and faintly of Cade. With a shrug, I put them on.

Back in the room, I noticed a collection of items on the small table near the armchair in the corner. Curious, I examined them. The jacket was worn denim, pockets empty, but it smelled strongly like Keith. The wallet only had twenty dollars in cash and a credit card. I examined Keith’s ID, but it listed his address as the House Bartlett estate and showed a younger man glaring at the DMV camera.