Page 63 of Up in Flames

I step up to her apartment and open her door quietly, slowly walking in to make sure no one is up, and then keep my voice low as I continue the conversation in the living room with Rodberg.

“There’s whispers about you not being around as much, for sure.”

I tense, not liking that answer, as I grit my teeth and walk toward Makaylie’s door, ensuring she isn’t coming out before I answer him.

MAKAYLIE

Muffled murmuring wakes me from a deep sleep.

My eyes are foggy, my body aching, and I’m still not sure if I’m awake or asleep and dreaming.

“No, you’re not hearing me. I know I’m not around as much, but there’s a reason for that, Rodberg. Just deal with it.”

Cain is on the other side of the door, and I’m pretty sure he’s on his cell, but I’m so tired I’m only just making out what he’s saying.

“Do they know about her?”

I roll over in bed and go to sit up when the door creaks open, and the slight glow of a cell phone light against Cain’s ear glints as he peers in to see me looking at him through glassy, tired eyes.

“Okay, look, I have got to go. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.” He ends the call, closes the door, and walks up to me, sitting on the edge of the bed.

“Go back to sleep, little dove.” He caresses my cheek and leans in, kissing me gently.

“Was that Iron Rod?” I ask, and he nods. “Checking up on you?” I tease, and he chuckles.

“Yeah, something like that. Come on, you scoot back to sleep,” Cain says, kicking off his shoes and climbing back into the bed, and it’s only now I realize he’s fully dressed.

When the hell did that happen, and why?

“Why are you dressed?”

He cuddles into me and starts playing with my hair. “Didn’t want to scare Joey if she came out in the dining room while I was on the phone,” he replies.

The air in the room shifts.

It fills with uncertainty.

And my heart beats a little faster at the tension seeping between us.

I’m not sure I buy what he is putting out.

There’s no need to put your shoes on. Cain only needed his briefs and a shirt if he was worried about modesty.

Something doesnotadd up.

But right now, my heavy body and foggy brain are too tired to care.

I’ll ask when the time is right.

Maybe tomorrow.

Maybe another day.

With Cain, you have to get the timing exactly right to get straight answers.

He’s arrogant.

Dominant.

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