Page 59 of Hidden

“Okay…” I whispered, putting off the inevitable. One day, I might have to break the news to Miles. But his face was glowing in a way that caused my pulse to spike.

There was no way I could do it right now.

Chapter Twelve

Bianca

Law

“Good morning.” Brayden jumped to his feet as Miles led me into Damen’s kitchen. He and Bryce were in a sunny breakfast nook, seemingly deep in a discussion before we arrived.

They wore their pajamas still, which made me feel less self-conscious about being in Titus’s oversized clothing. But the sight of Bryce in navy cotton bottoms was very strange.

They watched me a second too long, studying me in a way I didn’t recognize. All pretenses had gone, and I wondered how long they’d known who I was.

Brayden raised his eyebrow, disapproval darkening his previously relaxed expression. He pushed his sleep-tossed curls from his face, rubbing his eyes. And when his hands lowered, the look had vanished. “What’s wrong, Bianca? Those aren’t yours, right?” he asked, stepping forward and grabbing my hand. “Do you need to go shopping?”

His words caused my stomach to tighten, the feeling distracting me from the sensation of his skin against mine. This was the first time Brayden—the better brother—had ever touched me. And like with Bryce, the feeling made my skin itch.

“Yes…” I allowed him to guide me to the table between him and Bryce and pulled my hand into my lap the second he released me. I studied the empty placemat. “I didn’t want anything they gave me. It’s okay though. I have money.”

“You have money?” Brayden sounded surprised. I glanced at him, and he held his hands into the air. “You said you were a ‘poor college student’.”

Miles, who had wandered off, returned. He placed a mug of coffee in front of me and ruffled my hair before turning back to the stove. I wasn’t sure what he was making, but it smelled like bacon was involved. As Brayden glanced after him, I responded, “Yes, Bryce is going to give me my money.”

Bryce, who had been sipping his own coffee, choked and began to cough. It took a moment for him to compose himself, but when he did, he shot me an alarmed look. “What?”

Playing stupid, was he? I pursed my lips. “Titus and Damen told me that since you’re my Er Bashou, you’ve been in charge of my funds. I’d like to access that money.”

“Oh.” He pushed his coffee away and crossed his arms. He sounded slightly regretful. “I can’t give you that money.”

“Why not?” Did he spendmymoney on something stupid? Titus said he had enemies. Perhaps he dabbled in illegal things and that was why his luck was so terrible.

“Because no one can know you’re the Xing,” Miles replied from the kitchen, nonchalantly. “Bryce can’t give you access to those funds. He can’t take anything out either.”

My heart dropped. My plans were ruined. How was I supposed to get clothing and everything now? Without my money, I had nothing.

Miles leaned over the island, studying me. His expression was sympathetic. “You know we have no problem paying for—”

“No.” It wouldn’t be right. I already owed them enough.

“You know—” Brayden linked his hands under his chin, watching me. Nervousness surrounded him, and his eyes searched mine. “—our family is—”

“No.” My voice came out harsher than intended. “I am not taking money from them.”

Brayden frowned, lowering his hands. “But it’s your money, too. They are your family. Father has always set aside allowance and inheritance for three—”

“I don’t want it.” I pushed back my chair, digging my nails into the table. My stomach churned painfully. “I don’t want anything to do with it.”

“But why?” Brayden sounded genuinely distraught, and it made guilt rush through me.

“It’s obvious.” My heart was racing, my earlier fears flooding back into me. The prophecy changed nothing. I used to think knowing why I’d been abandoned would help, but now it was worse.

My life had been in danger, and myparentshad left me. Did they know the kind of world they were sending me into? I couldn’t blame Bryce for this.

If they really wanted to keep me, they would have found a way. But they hadn’t.

They must have really hated me.