Page 59 of Clash of Sin and Secret

“I leave it to you, beautiful. If you want me there, I’m there. If you want an evening with just the three of you, I’m fine with that, too.”

Her expression softens. “I want you there.”

Of course she does.

This really is the new world order.

I stare out my window and focus on the indistinct blur of the glass and steel buildings we pass. I run my hands down the front of my slacks and pick at a piece of non-existent lint.

Scottie closes her hand over mine, her dark blue eyes piercing through my facade. “Why are you fidgeting? I thought this is what you wanted?”

“It is. It’s not that.”

“Then what is it?”

I take a breath, ready to shrug it off, but the words tumble out instead. “My first meeting with Cassiane left me looking like a hot-headed ass.”

She squeezes my hand. “You were grieving and furious after the attack. Forgive yourself for not being on your best behavior that day. I’m sure a demon queen understands poor behavior better than most.”

That’s true.

Her grip tightens. “I know you don’t give two shits about offending some woman you’ve never met before—even if you need something from her—so what’s really bothering you?”

The city whizzes by outside—the bright lights of bars and restaurants spill into the street like liquid gold while shadowsdance between buildings that tower above us like silent sentinels.

“My father would’ve handled it better. He wouldn’t have let emotion affect the situation and he certainly wouldn’t have offended a reigning official of another race within his city.”

She unbuckles her belt and slides into the middle seat, settling right beside me so the heat of her hip warms mine. Reclaiming my hand, she laces our fingers and sets her head against my shoulder. “Our fathers were men who grew to be larger than life—but theygrewinto that. I’m not Bran and you’re not Francesco. We aspire to be like them, but we’re still Zane and Scotland.”

“But with eyes on us?—”

“Fuck them, Z. Seriously. We need time and distance from their deaths to grow into our new roles. You duffed your first meeting with this woman and will show her a better side tonight. Progress is the only thing we can strive for.”

She’s right. Even if she isn’t, her pep-talk makes me feel better. Like we’re a team again—Zane and Scotland against the world.

The SUV slows along the curb outside of Donor Watch. It’s an unassuming building nestled within historic stone walls. The elegance lies in its simplicity. There are no cold steel surfaces or clinical vibes here.

It feels more like a cozy library than a medical facility.

“How do you want to handle this?” Huntley adjusts the rearview mirror so he can meet my gaze sitting behind him. “Do you want everyone inside or two in and two out?”

“I know it’s your contact that got us a second chance, but I might get further with Cassiane if Scottie is at my side. A little girl on girl time might diffuse tensions.”

All heads turn as they blink at me. I rewind my comment in my head and roll my eyes. “You know what I meant. Scottie and the shedim queen can diffuse the testosterone in the room.”

Scottie chuckles. “As long as that’s all you meant. I’m all about the peen, Z.”

I scrub a hand against the back of my neck as she and Tucker chuckle at my expense. “Noted.”

She pats my thigh. “Okay, you and I will go in and Huntley and Tucker will fall back. You good with that, Viking?”

Huntley dips his chin. “I agree that Lady Cassiane might respond better with another woman in the room. All right. I’ll walk you in and see if Larkin and Wilder are there. I’ll give them my thanks for opening the door and then step back at the first opportunity.”

Good.

Tucker twists in his seat to look back at us. It doesn’t even seem to faze him that Scotland is snuggled up to my side. “I’ll wait with the truck. If you need me, just give me a holler.”

“I’ll leave the keys with you,” Huntley says. “If we need to get gone fast, be ready to roll out.”

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