Page 92 of Nemesis

His trimmed goatee is more silver than what’s on top of his head. His hands are in his pockets, and other than the subtle sharpness in his expression, he appears relaxed.

This is his element, clearly.

“Are you Antonio?” I lean back in the booth, very nearly kicking my feet out and crossing my ankles. But with the table in the way, it wouldn’t have the desired effect.

“I am.”

“Nice to meet you, Mr.…?”

“Antonio Greco,” he supplies. “And you are?”

“Kade Laurent.”

He inclines his chin. “What can I help you with, Mr. Laurent?”

“I need to get a message to Artemis.”

His brows furrow. “I’m afraid that’s not possible.”

“Why?”

“Because Ms. Madden was in an accident.” His expression turns severe. “She’s indisposed until she recovers.”

My annoyance flares. “An accident. Indisposed. Pretty little cover-up words to disguise wherever she actually is. If she doesn’t want to see me?—”

“Rest assured, she doesn’t,” Antonio snaps. “Now, Mr.Laurent, our waitstaff have been serving you under a different name. I do believe you’ve been banned from our establishment.”

He steps back and motions. From the edge of the room come two bulky security. They wouldn’t be a match against me, not if I wanted to put up a fight.

But finding Artemis… well, I want to find her. Need to find her.

An accident implies she’s been injured. Antonio didn’t back away from that claim, didn’t fold and tell me she was just in a stupid meeting with investors or whatever the fuck she does to keep this place afloat.

Every other time I’ve been here, she’s sought me out.

Or her brother has.

Something has distracted them—and her being hurt strikes a chord in my chest.

Worry.

Reese can wait.

I get up and let the security escort me out. I glance up at one of the cameras, hoping that she’ll know I was here. But even then, she’ll misinterpret it.

She’ll think I wanted to follow up on Reese again.

I do.

I did.

Now…

Now, it’s not the only thing I want from her.

26ARTEMIS

I have a new house guest.His name is Reese Avery, and I’m pretty sure he and Saint are either going to become best friends or kill each other. He’s made himself at home on the couch, which I guess has dried to an acceptable level.

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