Page 51 of Sinner
“No.”
“It could be better, actually. If you distract him at the front door, I can sneak in through the back and—”
“You aren’t allowed to be alone in another man’s house, Songbird,” he stated firmly. “That’s final.”
Nix rolled his eyes and held up his hands in surrender before waving one toward the end of the stack. “Then get a move on, your Majesty.”
Lake clicked his tongue. “Picking up bad habits from West, I see. We’ll address that later.”
“Can’t wait.”
He turned and walked off, but not before Nix caught sight of the smirk forming on the Imperial’s plush lips.
Chapter 17:
Lake didn’t often seek out his cousin, which meant it was already somewhat suspicious when he appeared in the library and approached Beck’s table.
The professor was seated alone, with no one else around in this particular section. It was the perfect setting for a private chat, but that also meant there were limited ways Lake could try luring Beck away from his computer.
The laptop sat open before him, and he was swiping between notes there and on his multi-slate when he lifted his head and noticed Lake.
“Something the matter, Cousin?” Beck’s voice was calm, as per usual. He always spoke in an almost regal tone, as though he believed himself to be above emotional outbursts and losinghis cool. In many ways, he and Lake were a lot alike, but that was what made this more difficult to wrap Lake’s head around.
“Do you have a minute?” Lake stopped at the other side of the table and casually rested his hands on his hips. He was still in uniform, which meant no pockets, and since small talk had never been his forte, he wasn’t quite sure how to proceed.
“How was practice?” Beck gave his uniform a once-over. “There must be something important for you to come all this way without changing first. What’s going on?”
“Can you help me locate a book?” Some genius he was, he couldn’t come up with a better plan than that? “One on native amphibians.” They were close to that section, but it was enough rows off to the left that he felt he might be able to separate Beck from his computer to find it.
“What an odd request.” Beck rose to his feet. “Why do you need something like that?”
“There’s a sound coming from outside West’s bedroom. He’s been wondering if it might be a type of frog. I think it’s a nocturnal bird.”
“Ah, so you want to rule his theory out and prove him wrong.” Beck hesitated. “So…is this really about West? That’s a poor excuse.”
Lake frowned. “What about West?”
Beck stared at him for a lengthy moment and then nodded and reached to close his laptop.
“Just leave it,” Lake suggested before he could shut the device. “We’ll only be a short while, and it’s right there.”
“I couldn’t possibly do that,” Beck explained. “There’s loads of sensitive information on here.”
Damn it.
“Professor Bardin.” Nix came out from around the stack where he’d been hiding, carrying a book with him. “I’m glad you’re here. I had a question about physics, and Lake mentionedonce that it was one of your best subjects. Could you help me quickly?”
Had he? Lake didn’t recall, but his eyes narrowed, not liking the thought of Nix remembering anything about another man, even his cousin.
Nix stopped next to Lake and placed the book on the table, flipping through to a part near the end. Once he was on the page he wanted, he glanced over at Beck expectantly.
What was he playing at?
Beck sighed and then headed around the table, though he didn’t go far, walking just enough to have his back partially facing his device. “I know what you’re both really here for, you can stop pretending.”
Nix cocked his head. “Is that so?”
Lake found himself curious to see where this was going as well. Was he about to confess to his secret rendezvous with his student? It wasn’t like they could get him in trouble for it—at most, Beck would get a slap on the wrist—so he didn’t see a reason his cousin should bother keeping it hidden.
