Page 32 of Crown of Lies

Nico is at the stove, nonchalantly flipping pancakes while Killian tends to the sizzling bacon in another pan. They move around each other with an easy synchronicity that’s obviously been built on years of teamwork. For a moment, I’m so impressed by the sight that I’ve almost forgotten the tension from upstairs.

Then they both look over at me and freeze, and I’m instantly reminded of all the reasons why I can’t let my guard down. Not even for a minute. Not even for breakfast… no matter how delicious it might smell.

Nico looks away first, turning his attention back to the pancakes. “Hungry? I think we have a little extra.”

The tone of his voice sets my teeth on edge. It’s not even that he’s necessarily being rude, but the fact that he’s standing here in my kitchen and making it sound like he’d be doing me some kind of favor to let me eat with them?

No.

Hell no.

Fuck that.

“I’m not very hungry,” I lie, walking past him and Killian to grab a piece of toast off a plate. “But I will take one of these. Thanks.”

Killian’s eyes flick from Nico to me and then to the toast in my hand, and I’m pretty sure I see a quick twitch of his lips that would have probably been a smile--or at least a smirk--under normal circumstances. Things aren’t normal between us anymore though. I don’t think they’ll ever be normal again.

Atlas follows me into the kitchen and shoots me a sideways, almost questioning glance when Killian hands him a plate full offood. I hope he’s wondering why I’m only eating toast. I hope it makes him feel guilty.

Once we’re all seated at the table, Nico clears his throat. “We should probably discuss our plans for the day.”

It seems like he’s actually trying to make an effort at being cordial, so I’m willing to play along for now. “Okay, hit me,” I say between bites of toast. “What’s on the agenda?”

“We’ll need to head out soon,” Nico says, exchanging a look with Killian. “And I think we should all plan on sticking together until we can figure out what’s going on.”

I tense at that, any hint of goodwill evaporating. After we got home yesterday, Nico grilled me about what Atlas and I had seen—including every possible detail we could remember about that masked man watching me from the alley. It was frustrating, like he still thought I was hiding something even though I’d told him everything I knew.

“I don’t need twenty-four-seven protection,” I state flatly. “Or handholding.”

Nico opens his mouth to argue, but I cut him off. “Look, somebody—or more than one somebody—wants me for some reason,” I continue. “I want to find out who it is and why just as much as you do. I just think we can be a little less conspicuous.”

It’s unsettling to be the object of some mysterious person’s focus, to be “valuable” but not know why. It makes me feel out of control of my own life, and I hate that.

“I’m willing to share any information I have,” I continue, meeting each of their eyes in turn. “But you have to compromise too. We’re in this together, whether you like it or not.”

“We’re already compromising,” Nico grinds out through gritted teeth as the other two men stay silent. “That’s why you’re sitting here at the breakfast table instead of hanging around down in the basement. Remember?”

Atlas speaks up before I have a chance to answer. Probably for the best, since I doubt Nico would’ve liked what I was going to say. “You agreed yesterday that you and Nico should put in a big appearance somewhere so everyone will calm down. It’ll be easier for you to come and go on your own once everyone chills the fuck out.”

“And once you prove we can trust you again,” Nico adds, just to be an ass.

I narrow my eyes at him, all my simmering irritation instantly returning to the surface. “After everything you’ve done to me, you’re still insisting I’m the one who needs to prove I can be trusted? Real fucking nice.”

Killian clears his throat. “We called a temporary truce, remember? So we’re on the same side again.”

I take a deep breath, forcing myself to calm down. He’s right, mostly. We’repretendingto be on the same side, at least. Regardless, letting my temper get the best of me won’t help anything. “Fine. What did you have in mind?”

“I’ve already called for a meeting,” Nico says, his voice level. “Sent word on your behalf to your people too. It’ll be just like that first gathering when we got married—a big, showy appearance to calm everyone’s nerves and prove you’re still alive and kicking.”

I’m just going to ignore the part where he sent word tomypeople onmybehalf. Fucker. “Nothing more, nothing less, huh? Just a simple photo op?”

“Exactly.” Nico meets my gaze steadily. “We get in, show our faces, and get out. No muss, no fuss.”

I snort at that, unable to stop myself. “Yeah, because things are always that straightforward with us.” Despite my sarcastic tone, I nod in agreement. “But fine, let’s do it. When and where?”

Nico stands, already all business. “Same spot as last time. You all get ready—we move out in thirty.”

An hour later, we pull up to the meeting spot. I’m hit by a flood of memories and more than a little nostalgia, but I push down those thoughts just as quickly as they come up. This isn’t the time for a trip down memory lane.

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