Page 67 of The Pawn

That’s not what I want.

Shit. It would be so much easier if I wanted that.

I take a deep breath in and exhale.What he told me about his brother is terrible and I understand his fear. I even understand why he did what he did. But it doesn’t make it right and I can’t set a precedent of letting important things slide. Thing is, I would have agreed to the shot. I don’t want to get pregnant anymore than he wants me pregnant. But the way he went about it was wrong and he knows it.

In the kitchen I make myself a cup of tea. Enzo comes around the corner.

“Is Cassian here?” I ask him.

“No, he’s not back yet.”

“I have to get to my brother’s funeral. I can’t miss that.”

“I’m sure you won’t. Cassian has made all the arrangements.” I haven’t discussed the particulars with him and now I’m wishing I had.

“What did he arrange exactly?” I ask Enzo.

His phone pings with a text. “That I can’t tell you because I don’t know. Excuse me.”

With that he disappears. That’s all. Nothing more. It’s just my brother’s funeral so I guess it’s not a huge priority to him.

I glance at the closed door of Jet’s room, walk over and set my ear to it. I think I hear the shower going, but knock just in case. When there’s no answer, I open the door and peer inside

The bathroom door is closed, but steam seeps into the bedroom from beneath it. How hot does he shower? I look around, remembering the last time, the one and only time, I was in here. When he saved me from going half mad in that crypt. When Cassian didn’t realize what he was triggering in me. I decide I’ll wait for him to come out of the shower. If Cassian has forgotten about the funeral,Jet’s my best bet of getting there. Enzo’s loyal to Cassian. Jet has no issue pissing him off. I think he might even like it.

I chuckle at the idea, then I spot something familiar on Jet’s nightstand. I peer closer. Is that my notebook?

“That jerk.” I cross the room to pick it up. It’s the one he’d handed me the other day when Cassian caught us together and thought, well, God knows what he thought. It’s lying face down open to the page of the drawing of Azazel. I take it and consider looking through the nightstand drawer because what’s a little invasion of privacy between frenemies? Because Jet and I aren’t quite friends. We’re not quite enemies. I have no idea what we are.

I recall how he gave me away the other night when he knew I hadn’t seen Cassian returning to the table and still let me ask about Seth. Still set it up so I’d come out looking like I was poking around for information, which I guess I was, but well, fuck them both.

My mind wanders to Seth. The thought of what is happening to him is sad not only for Seth, but Vivi and their son and for Cassian.

The shower switches off and I almost leave, but stop myself. I take a seat in a chair across the room. A few moments later, the bathroom door opens, and Jet appears in the cloud of steam. He pauses, clearly surprised, but is extremely good at masking his emotions. At least masking anything other than amusement because he grins a one-sided grin, his eyes dancing as he drops his gaze to his too-low towel, pretending to adjust it while watching me through those thick black lashes.

I clear my throat because my gaze moves to the towel too. To the trail of dark hair disappearing beneath it.

“Allegra. What a lovely surprise. Cassian know you’re in here?”

“Cassian doesn’t dictate my every move.”

“Doesn’t he though?” he taunts and crosses toward the closet.

“Besides, he’s not here and if he’s not back in time, I need you to take me to Michael’s funeral,” I say, getting to my feet.

“I’m sure he’ll be back in time to take you although I’m not sure why you care considering.” He tries to move around me, but I step in front of him.

“He’s my brother.”

“He betrayed you.”

“That wasn’t?—”

“He was weak, Allegra. But it’s none of my business. I’m sure Cassian will be back in time to take you.”

“How do you know that?”

“Because I know. You should leave. I need to get dressed.”