Page 159 of Devious Knight

Kade smashed it. I saw the pieces on the ground.

But it’s here.

“It’s absolutely marvelous work.” Christian raises his hands as if in praise to me.

“Thank you.” My voice is hardly audible.

“It’s a shame you can’t start with us at Cambridge until September, but as far as I’m concerned, you will always have a placement with me.”

“Oh my gosh, thank you so much from the bottom my heart.”

“Like I said before, the pleasure is mine. I’d love to meet in the week to talk about your future plans, if you're free.”

If I’m free… “I’m absolutely free.”

“Wonderful. I’ll tell you all about my internship program. I usually take interns I’m interested in for work in the summer. We work together every summer until graduation, then all the fun starts when we tour Europe for the fulltime internship.”

I can’t believe what I’m hearing. Take that, Parker, you asshole.

“That sounds like a dream to me.”

His smile brightens. “Then I look forward to the future. Enjoy the night.”

“Thank you.”

He gives me a curt nod then is whisked away by a woman I think is a journalist.

Shaking from anticipation and shock, I turn around and look back at Kade. He’s still standing where I left him.

He staring back at me, watching me piece together what just happened.

He didn’t destroy my sculpture. He sent it to Christian Degas, who now wants me on his internship program.

I make my way back to him, my legs shaking, but when I reach him, I throw my arms around him.

Tears of happiness stream down my cheeks and my heart sings when he pulls me flush against him.

“You…” I mutter in his ear.

“What me?”

“Surprised me.”

His hot breath tickles my skin. “Told you you like surprises.”

I laugh through my tears, and we part.

“It turns out I do.”

“I was right, wasn’t I? He wants to keep you, doesn’t he?”

“Yes. He wants to talk about his internship program. How did you do it? I saw the sculpture smashed.” I pull back to stare at him.

“I made a mold of it and took the real one away.”

“Why would you do that, Kade?”

“I told you. I didn’t want you to leave Raventhorn.” He presses his nose to mine.