Page 6 of The Sadist and the Brat

“Adorable,” Sadie assured her and looked up with a smile as Kody approached with a jangle of spurs. “Hello, Your Grace.”

“Oh, so youdohave some manners,” Kody drawled, amused, and hooked their thumbs in the pockets of their blue jeans. They’d gone all out with their costume, accessorizing the jeans and pearl-snapped western shirt with boots and spurs, leather working gloves, and a straw cowboy hat. There was even a whip coiled on their belt. “Next time you holler at me from across the room like that, I’m going to assume you need a reminder to use them.”

Sadie lowered her eyes respectfully and tried to sound demure. “Yes, Your Grace. I apologize.”

Kody nodded, a short jerk of their head. “All right, then. Something I can do for you?”

“Nikki needs a ride home.” Sadie swallowed a grunt when Nikki’s elbow made contact with her ribs. “Are you available?”

Kody’s eyes, a faded blue that nearly matched their shirt, narrowed on Nikki’s booted foot. “What happened?”

Sadie stayed silent, and after a moment, Nikki said, “I got hurt at work.”

“She was supposed to bottom for Jack’s demo,” Sadie offered, taking pity on her friend. “But has now realized that would be a terrible idea.”

Kody’s frown deepened. “Jack was going to do a scene with you like this?”

“He doesn’t know yet,” Sadie offered, and the killing light in Kody’s eyes faded a bit. “She was hoping she could power through.”

“Thanks a lot,” Nikki muttered, her shoulders hunching as Kody turned a stern gaze on her.

Kody stared at her a moment, radiating disapproval, then gave a short nod. “I’m glad you realized that wasn’t a good idea.”

Nikki sagged with relief, and Sadie cleared her throat to bring Kody’s attention back to her. “She took a rideshare here, but I thought it’d be better if someone drove her home.”

“You thought right. Let me go get my phone, and I’ll be back. Do you have crutches?”

“Um. No.” Nikki bit her lip. “It’s a walking boot, so I didn’t think I’d need them.”

Kody’s eyes went fierce. “Stay right here,” they commanded and waited, eyebrows raised.

Nikki ducked her head, her cheeks going pink again. “Yes, Your Grace.”

Kody gave one sharp nod, aimed a look at Sadie that clearly saidstay with her until I get back, and strode off.

“Hot,” Sadie commented, watching Nikki watch Kody leave.

“Stop it,” Nikki muttered, her cheeks scarlet, and sighed. “They don’t even know I’m alive.”

“Well, you’ll have a whole car ride home to remind them that you are,” Sadie told her. “And knowing Kody, they’ll probably help you inside, make sure you take your pain pill, and tuck you into bed.”

“Oh, no.”

“What?”

“I was going to do laundry this morning, but I was running late.” Nikki pressed her hands to her cheeks. “There are piles of dirty clothes all over my bed. Will you stop laughing?”

“I can’t help it,” Sadie teased. “You’re just so cute.”

“And what if I mess up their pronouns?” Nikki fretted. “I don’t want to offend them.”

“How often do you use someone’s pronouns when you’re talking to them?” Sadie asked gently.

Nikki’s expression turned sheepish. “Oh. Right.”

“And if you do mess up, just apologize and correct yourself,” Sadie continued, and patted Nikki’s thigh. “It’ll be fine.”

“What’ll be fine?” a deep voice rumbled, and Sadie looked up to find Jack looming over them, Rebecca hovering a step behind.

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