Page 25 of These Deadly Dreams

“Must have been a little bug.” I look around the library. “I’m hungry though, is there anything to eat here?”

Cade’s eyes widen. “Hungry? You just ate two huge pieces of chicken not that long ago. How are you hungry again?”

I shrug. “I don’t know, but I am.”

“I can text Kai and have him bring some food from the party when it’s over.”

“When will that be?”

He checks the time. “I’m guessing another two hours or so.”

“Two hours? I don’t know if I can wait that long.”

“Seriously?”

I nod, and my stomach rumbles, emphasizing my point. “See? Starving.”

He sighs and shakes his head. “We really shouldn’t leave the library with everybody in the estate, but I can’t let you starve.”

He stands and sets his laptop on the coffee table before helping me to my feet. Peering into my eyes, he says, “You sure you’re okay?”

I stand on my tiptoes and kiss him. “I really do feel fine now. I promise.”

He wraps his arms around my waist, and I try to deepen the kiss, but my stomach has other plans. Cade chuckles and pulls away.

“I think I better feed you before your stomach tries to eat me.”

“After I eat, then,” I promise him.

“Deal.”

He leads me through the estate, keeping to the hallways far from the ballroom where the party is taking place. I try to keep track of my surroundings, just in case, but I’m too hungry to focus on anything other than getting food in my mouth.

Cade slows as we come to an intersection. “We have to be careful here,” he whispers over his shoulder. “It’s the only way to the kitchens, and the closest bathrooms to the ballroom are down this hallway.” He points to the hall to the right.

He peers around the corner, and waits for a few seconds before motioning to me. “Come on. Hurry.”

Cade grabs my hand and tugs me through the intersection. The rest of the way is clear, and soon we push through the kitchen doors, and into chaos.

Servers run every which way, picking up full silver trays and depositing empty ones. Food, so much food, waits to be plated and taken to the ballroom. Cook storms around, brandishing a wooden spoon like a scepter, bellowing orders and fully expecting to be obeyed. I inhale the heavenly aroma of meats, vegetables, and sweets, and my mouth waters.

Cade snags a plate off the counter and holds it out to me. “This good?”

I glance at the roast beef swimming in sauce and the mashed potatoes with gravy. My stomach rumbles again. “Yes, please.” I snatch a baby carrot off the plate and pop it into my mouth. Honey bursts to life on my tongue and I groan.

Before we leave, I spot a chocolate cake on the island and grin. “Is that your cake?”

Cade smiles. “It sure is. Grab it, and let’s head back before Cook yells at us.”

With the chocolate cake in my grasp, I follow Cade back the way we came. When we reach the intersection, he stops and leans around the corner. He stiffens a moment before he looks back at me with wide eyes. I hear a woman’s voice, just a soft murmur, and without thinking, I push around Cade. He tries to stop me, but with the plate in his hand, I’m able to slip through his fingers. What I see makes my stomach drop to my feet.

Down the hallway, Kai is leaning against the wall, his head thrown back while a woman presses herself against him. Her blond hair falls down her back in loose ringlets, and her dark red dress clings to every inch of her body, leaving nothing to the imagination.

The world seems to wobble around me as I watch her hands rove over his chest and inside his jacket. I quickly realize, though, he isn’t returning her touch. His jaw is clenched tight, and his hands are balled into fists at his side. It’s not pleasure on his face, but irritation. I narrow my eyes as her hands slide lower to his belt and she grabs the leather, sliding it through the buckle.

“Guilia, stop.” Kai says through gritted teeth.

She doesn’t, and I snap.

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