Page 79 of Twisted Kings

She half-smiled at me. “Thank you for indulging my sweet tooth.”

“You’re welcome.”

“What was the dream about?” I asked, sitting next to her. “It often helps to talk about them.”

“Can’t remember,” she muttered. I had a feeling it was a lie but saw no point in pressing her. If her nightmares were anything like mine, they were best forgotten.

“Are you feeling any better?”

She stiffened in my peripheral vision, but I resisted the urge to look at her. Thea reminded me of a wild creature. If I pushed her too hard, too quickly, she’d flee, and I’d never catch her.

“I’m OK. Just a stomach bug, I think.” Another lie. She was hiding something, but it wasn’t my place to pry. We were virtual strangers, even if I’d have liked her to be more than a stranger. “Too much rich food.”

“Yes, Milo has been indulging us all. I’ve put on several pounds this week.”

Thea snorted out a laugh and threw me some side-eye. “You’re joking, right? Mr. Zero-Percent body fat has put on weight?”

I lifted my shirt and pretended to examine my abs. “Hmm. Definitely some unwanted fat deposits there.”

I looked up to find her staring at my chiseled abs like I’d hypnotized her.

“Liar,” she murmured in a husky voice, before dragging her gaze away. It was hard to tell in the low light, but she seemed embarrassed I’d caught her ogling me, which amused me no end. It was good to know the chemistry between us hadn’t faded.

She fidgeted on the sofa next to me as I stretched my legs out and leaned back. Each time she moved, the blanket slipped a little, revealing more skin. It was hard to focus on anything with her next to me, but I resisted the urge to reach out and touch her.

“What are your plans for the new year?” College was off the table for all of us, apart from Eden. Kyril hadn’t said whether hewas going back, but I wasn’t planning to finish my course, and Landon had quit via email.

“No idea. Going on the run, I guess. Declan will want his house back soon.”

“And your sister? You can’t drag her around with you. She needs stability.”

Thea glared at me. “I’m well aware of what my sister needs!”

I threw my hands in the air. “I know you are. Just saying.” The temperature between us dropped by several degrees, but I continued anyway. “I’ve been looking at properties in the US. Moving there would get me away from my father. Why don’t you come with me? Landon will tag along, and Milo’s parents spend most of their time in the US these days, so he’ll likely come, too.”

“And Kyril?”

“Kyril needs to figure stuff out. He has responsibilities.” An understatement. But there was no point in elaborating. Thea understood his world better than me.

A savage gust of wind hit the side of the house, sending sparks howling up the chimney. The house shuddered and groaned in response. Thea looked at me curiously as I stood and tossed a new log on the fire.

“Won’t Lucian expect you back?”

“I’m not going back.” She hadn’t been privy to my conversation with the guys shortly after I arrived. “He wants me to get more involved in his illegal business dealings. I refused.”

She didn’t react. “I know. I heard you talking to the guys not long after you got here.” My eyebrows shot up in surprise. I was unaware she’d been listening.Sneaky little minx. “What exactly is he involved in?”

“He’s got his fingers in a lot of pies. I don’t know the details. He always kept a degree of separation between family and work, other than wheeling us out for official PR stuff. His government role is public-facing, of course, but that’s only for show.”

I watched the fire for a moment, wondering how much I should reveal. While I trusted Thea, it was a risk being so open with anyone other than my guys. They were the only people who knew the full truth about my father and his activities.

“My father seems to hate him. I thought it was because of Operation Willow, but it feels more personal than that. Any idea why?”

Her question took me by surprise. I wasn’t aware our fathers knew each other, aside from the fact they co-existed in the same world. But then again, I hadn’t known he was so well acquainted with Vasily Orliov, so maybe I didn’t know my father as well as I thought I did.

“As far as I know, he doesn’t know your father. He’s certainly never mentioned him. Seamus Kelly’s name has come up a few times, and he’s apparently formed an alliance with Kyril’s father, but I don’t believe he has dealings with Francesco.”

When she said nothing more, I took the now-empty mug from her hand and placed it on the table.

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