Page 56 of Key Change

“Yes.” He walked into the kitchen, where they sat at the table with empty coffee cups.

“We were getting worried. Didn’t know if we should start searching King’s Cross.” Hayden’s smile was as cool as a winter morning. He hadn’t even got through the greeting before looking for an opening to stab him and twist the knife.

Anthony poured himself a glass of water, letting the accusation that he’d gone looking for drugs hang for a little longer than was polite. His heart beat loud and heavy as anxiety crawled through his body. He took a sip before speaking. “I went out for lunch. Pretty sure I’m allowed to do that.”

“Lunch? With Cillian?” Margot frowned. Her disapproval out in the open now Hayden had been in her ear and feeding her concerns about Anthony’s ability to reform.

“Yes.” He drained the glass, wondering how best to raise the private investigator issue.

“Don’t you think you should put more effort into finding a job instead of dating?” If Hayden had said the same thing, it would’ve been an outright accusation. From Margot, it was an accusation wrapped in a blanket of concern that did nothing to dull the edges of the blade now that he’d learned the feel of them.

“Actually, I had an interview this morning.” He glanced at Hayden. “A friend of a friend, but I turned it down because it might violate my parole conditions.” He flicked his gaze to Margot. “I’m sure you don’t want me taking those chances.”

“Oh… No, of course not.” She glared at Hayden, who must have spun her some bullshit.

Anthony also looked at his brother. “It was quite odd how he was at the ballet, almost like he was waiting for me.”

Hayden shrugged. “I’m sure he heard you’d been released and figured you’d surface somewhere… like pond scum. How is Liam?”

Anthony pressed his lips together. “Why don’t you tell me since you had me followed?”

His siblings glanced at each other, and not in shock, confirming that Margot had known.

“It was a necessary precaution. We didn’t want you ending up in prison again and ruining the family name,” Hayden said with a smirk. “Clearly you needed it, as you’ve already broken your release conditions.”

Or Hayden had set him up to fail, telling Farring where’d he be, hoping to report him. “My parole officer knowseverything.”

He wasn’t going to divulge the details; he wanted to see Hayden sweat. It was gratifying to see the flash of fear in his brother’s eyes.

“I am also looking for another place to stay and for work beyond Sydney. That way, you don’t have to worry about watching over me.”

“You don’t need to leave, Anthony. It’s better you’re here where you have support,” Margot said. She wanted to help, but she always believed the best of Hayden no matter how many times he was a complete shit to everyone else.

“I don’t need his kind of support.”

Hayden threw up his hands. “There you go again, assuming people are out to get you.”

Anthony gave him a grim smile. “I spent ten years making nice with all kinds of dangerous people.”

“Is that a threat?” Hayden snarled.

“I’m just saying I learned to watch my back, and that prison is rough if you don’t have friends.”

Margot put her hand on Hayden’s arm. “I think what he’s saying is that for a long time people were out to hurt him, so it’s going to take a while for that instinct to rub off.”

Anthony held Hayden’s gaze. That wasn’t what he was saying.

“He needs to stay away from that social climber, Cillian Fraser,” Hayden snapped, pulling his arm away.

Was Hayden worried about Cillian slipping free? Or was there something else going on?

“I met him at your party. If you’re that worried, perhaps you need to stay away from him. Or do you want in his pants?”

Hayden’s cheeks flushed. “I do not. He was only there to play?—”

“Which you didn’t pay him for,” Anthony said.

“What?” Margot turned to stare at Hayden. “Did you pay the caterers? Are you having financial issues?”

---