Dragon Heartstring(24)

“The Nightwings are a powerful family, and they have always done whatever they’ve wanted,” he said with obvious resentment. He stood suddenly and walked back to the bar. “Just heed my warning, son. You can like this woman all you want. And date her a short while, if you must. But you can’t trust her,” he barked with finality.

“Leave it alone,” I commanded. “And what of the hearing and the Cade stance on the Volt Gun ban? I must proceed as my conscience allows. If you are against this, then we will have to sever ties on the issue.”

That would mean selling my stock in the company and giving up my life’s work in what I’d built in Cade Technologies. I didn’t say this to threaten my father with ruin, for if I did leave the company, Cade Tech would certainly crumble. I was the only one who knew the machinations of the entire company from top to bottom and only because I worked tirelessly to stay abreast of modern inventions and trade. I said this for it was the truth, and I needed to know where I stood if I went against his wishes with the upcoming hearing.

Appearing tired and somewhat sad, he sighed heavily and leveled his gaze at me. “Do as you must. You know I can’t do without you. Nor do I want to. But you must stop thinking with your heart, son. Or you’ll lose it.”

I walked for the door and hiked my bag over my shoulder. “Good afternoon, Father.”

He didn’t answer me. He took up his vigil at the window again as the sun slipped away, painting the landscape in darker shades of violet and leaving me feeling heavy, sad, and wondering if he was right.





Chapter 8





“Good God, Demetrius. If you scowl at your glass any more, you’ll break the fucker.” Max waved the bartender over. “What the fuck is bothering you?”

I knocked the glass of Brevette back, thankful for the burn, wishing it would numb my senses. “Nothing.”

The bartender poured us both another then went back to drying glasses.

“You’re a shitty liar. What is it? The tyrant?”

I scoffed. “Not my father this time. Not really.”

“A woman then.”

I finally pulled my gaze from the bar to my friend who knew me better than anyone. Even Moira who professed to be an expert in all things Demetrius. Max and I had met years ago at the university in a political science class. We shared a mutual loathing for the professor, and though we came from different walks of life, we formed a friendship that stuck, united against the arrogant son of a bitch who tried to fail us for disagreeing with his flawed theories.

Max lit one of his black-rolled cigarettes, inhaled deeply, and blew out with a squint of his eyes, making his blue eyes appear darker.

“Definitely a woman. Do I know her?”

“Why does it have to be a woman? You’re as bad as Moira.”

He laughed, holding his cigarette aloft between thumb and middle finger. “Because you never lose control, my friend. Ever.”

“I’m in perfect control.” I tipped my glass in the air and took another swig. I’d been drinking too much lately.

“Mm-hm. Perfect.” He flicked a tip of ash in the tray on the bar. “So tell me why we’re here. What’s your concern with the parliament hearing?”

I pushed my empty glass onto the bar and waved off the bartender who was about to make his way back to us.

“I had a visit from Aron Grayson.”

Max sucked another drag from his cigarette, eyes narrowed in concentration. “Interesting. And what did that bastard have to say?”

“Not much.”

I paused as two rough-looking men passed staring at me. Even though I’d left my jacket and tie in the car, I was obviously overdressed for Docker’s Pub. But what I loved most about this dive that was Max’s second home was the fact no one asked questions.

“But he made a threat,” I added.

“Did he now? I’ll be happy to pay him a visit for you.”

I tapped my glass with my index finger. “It won’t do any good. But I wanted you to know.”

“What was the nature of this threat exactly?”

“Exactly?” I scoffed. “He made a point to say that he wasn’t threatening anyone.”

“Of course, he did.”

“But he mentioned my sister and her son. And also Shakara Icewing.” My entire body tensed when her name rolled off my lips. The mere thought of her. I closed my eyes as I remembered her soft words in the dark atop that roof. It was like she’d cut a piece of my heart out and stolen it from me against my will. How could one kiss make me this obsessed? I was losing my mind.

“Man, are you okay?”

When I opened my eyes, I realized I held my head in both my hands, elbows on the bar. “Yeah. Fine.”

“So it’s this Icewing chick who’s got your balls in a vise, is it?”

“What?”

He blew out a breath of smoke and put out the cigarette in the tray. Chuckling to himself, he shook his head. “Damn, bro. Leave it to a Morgon woman to get you tied up in knots.”

“I didn’t—” I stopped myself and heaved out a sigh.

Max tilted back his glass and then set it back on the bar empty. “You’ve got it bad. Real bad. Don’t you?”

With a stiff nod, I pulled out my wallet and set a large bill on the bar. “Drinks are on me, friend. Keep your guys vigilant, will you?”