Demand (Careless Whispers #2)(63)

“Now we finish your floor,” he replies, walking into my dance studio and disappearing.

Frowning, I stare after him for a moment, then follow him. He’s already on the floor, fitting a piece of wood into place. “Is it safer up here, or something? I mean, shouldn’t we be doing something to support Kayden?”

“We are,” he says. “It’s called staying safe and not bugging him. And keeping you busy means you won’t climb the walls and drive us both bat-shit crazy.”

“That’s your plan? Keeping me from driving you crazy?”

“That about sums it up, so get your ass over here and help me.”

Grimacing at his bossiness, I decide he’s right. I settle onto the floor next to him but freeze as a low electronic hum fills the air and the room darkens. “What the heck was that?”

“Kayden just left the castle and locked it down.”

“What does that mean?”

“The doors and windows are now securely shuttered. No one is getting in or out, unless we hit the emergency exit buttons.”

“Which are where?”

“If I tell you, I’ll have to kill you, and Kayden wouldn’t like that.”

“That’s not funny, Adriel.”

“Put the code nine-two-eight-seven in any of the panels by any of the doors. But no one except you, me, and Kayden knows that. We don’t need Giada armed with that information.”

“What about Marabella?”

“Not even Marabella.”

“But they’re on lockdown, too?”

“Yes, and this isn’t their first rodeo, as you Americans say. They’ve done this several times.”

My hands settle on my knees. “Does this mean we can expect an attack?”

“It means Kayden doesn’t take chances with what’s important to him, and neither do I, and that means you.”

“In other words, we’re safe while Kayden is on his way to meet with the head of the Italian mafia, who might kill him.”

“Kayden thinks Niccolo killed Elizabeth and Kevin. If anyone is going to die today, it will be Niccolo.”

If he means to comfort me by reminding me just how volatile the relationship between Niccolo and Kayden is, he fails.





eighteen




For the next hour Adriel and I work in silence but for the sound of country music and his occasional grumbles about country music, until he finally says, “That’s it,” and grabs the phone, turning off the music.

“My turn now,” he declares, using his phone to tune into a succession of songs from Imagine Dragons that remind me of something Kayden once told me. “I hear you forced Kayden into going to one of their concerts.”

He arches a brow. “Forced? Is that the story he told you?”

I laugh and fit a wooden piece into the floor. “Tell me your version.”

From that point on there’s conversation, laughter, and lots of scowling over Giada’s behavior by both of us, but I notice that his voice always softens a bit when he’s talking about her. His love for his sister is obvious and powerful, and with each story he shares about her, I grow even more committed to helping them find a middle ground I’m certain they once had.

Three hours later, the floor is done, and we stand up to inspect the finished product. “It’s perfection,” I say, but I can’t revel in the gift of the room when Kayden’s silence is deafening.

Adriel clearly notices. “How about we raid the kitchen and watch football?”

“He’s been gone forever, Adriel,” I say, ignoring his attempt to distract me. “Shouldn’t we check on him?”

“He went to Niccolo’s country estate, a good two-hour drive.”

My eyes go wide. “What? That’s got to mean secluded and dangerous.”

“Evil Eye, Ella, remember? He’s protected. He’s fine. And Niccolo is known for long negotiations that include a meal or two. He draws things out to make people nervous, hoping they’ll make mistakes. But most people are not Kayden.”

“No,” I agree, “Kayden is not most people.” My eyes meet his. “And I do believe in him, if you’re thinking I don’t. But we’re all human.”

“Some of us less than most, and pretend that he’s not.”

“And get sideswiped when he’s hurt?”

“Find a place to put it. You have to, or this won’t work for either of you.”

“You’re right. I’m failing at that right now, but I’ll find a way to handle it.”

“I told you how.” He indicates his T-shirt, which I now realize has an Italian logo on it. “Football. And food. Those two things are miracle drugs.”

“Fine,” I say. “Food and football, but it’s Sunday. That also means American football. If I watch Italian football, we have to find some American football, too. And I need to get my phone in case Kayden calls me.” My eyes widen. “What if he already called and I missed it? How did I not think about this?”

I start for the door and he grabs my arm. “He didn’t call and he won’t. So get your phone, but don’t go working yourself up again staring at the screen.” He releases me. “Calling isn’t his way. He focuses on what he’s doing, which is why he stays alive.”