Page 22 of Midnight Whispers

“Hello, Cinder,” Asher says, stepping forward, holding out his hand. “Good to see you again.”

I nod, shaking his hand. Asher Voss is an intimidating presence. He came into the Black Magic Bar awhile back, insisting that if Anabelle was ever there and needed any assistance, I was to call him, which I only had to do one time.

“This is Obsidian, but everyone calls him Sid,” Nero says and gestures to a man who isn’t sitting with a woman next to him.

His suit looks as if it costs a small fortune, which makes the wolf tattoo on his neck surprising, not melding with his put-together exterior. His wavy brown hair is slicked back, and his dark eyes make me want to step back when he sticks his hand out for a handshake. But that would be rude and wouldn’t endear me to Nero, so I accept his hand.

“Good to meet you, Cinder.” His fathomless eyes meet mine, and I swear they’re looking into my soul. I try to keep my eyes on his for as long as I can before I have to look away.

“And this is Kol,” Rapsody says with a huge smile. “My fiancé.”

Nero whips his head toward Kol. “You guys are engaged?”

“He asked me earlier tonight.” She pushes her hand out to show the giant rock that sits on the ring finger of her left hand.

After Nero and I are done offering our congratulations, everyone else returns to their seats around the table, but Nero doesn’t show me to a seat.

“We’re going to make up some plates, then I’m showing Cinder to her room,” Nero says.

“Will you be staying with us long?” Sid asks.

Nero’s lips thin as he stares at his brother.

“Just tonight. Thank you for having me.” I’d do just about anything to get out of this room. The feeling I had at my father’s house washes over me—like a freeloading loafer. I can’t imagine what his brothers must think. Nero bringing home the bartender and stripper from T&T’s.

If Nero’s look could kill, Sid would be splayed on the table, gutted and bleeding out.

“Get a plate from the sideboard and put on however much you want, Cinder.”

I do as he says while Anabelle tries to stir up the conversation again around the table, which I appreciate. Once we each have a plate, Nero leads me out of the dining room without saying a word to his family.

I stop at the archway of the doorway. “Thank you.”

All their eyes are on us with looks of confusion over fake smiles. It’s only one night, and I’ll probably never be back here again.

Chapter

Eleven

NERO

We walk through the communal part of the manor until we reach the long hallway that leads to my wing?the south wing. Each one of us boys have stained-glass windows displayed in our wings. Cinder stops with her plate in her hand.

She stops in front of mine?the raven. “This one is extraordinary.”

“My mom had this one done before she died.”

Cinder’s eyes widen and find mine. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize your mom had passed.”

“Both my parents are dead.” It’s just another thing that draws me to her, that she can understand how it feels to be orphaned as a child. She frowns, but I don’t want to put a damper on tonight, so I motion ahead with my free hand. “C’mon. We’re almost there.”

I lead her down the hall and bring her to the bedroom she’ll be staying in. It has the largest en suite bath, and besides my own master suite, it’s the biggest room in my wing. I want Cinder to be comfortable so that she’ll stay.

“This is your room.” I walk over to the sofa and chairs and set my plate on the table.

Cinder places her plate next to mine and gazes around the room.

“Is the room okay?” I ask, taking in her wide-eyed expression.

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