Page 19 of Silk and Sirens

“I’ll tell Arabella you approve.” My cousin smirked, his midnight eyes clashing with mine. “So, how did it go with the Mistress of Whispers?”

Lang’s gaze snapped in my direction, and then he threw his head back in what was supposed to be a laugh. Nothing but a faint scratching sound escaped, but his delight was evident. “You went alone?” he signed. “I don’t know whether to be offended or intrigued.”

Sebastian’s leather chair squeaked beneath his weight. “What happened with going together?”

“I was worried she’d try to seduce Lang,” I said dryly, leaning against the wall. “You know how weak he is.”

A sharp whistle, and I turned to find Langdon flipping me his middle finger with a grin.

“She denied meeting Isaac,” I continued, “even after presenting her with evidence. Then quickly changed her tune and said when she left the hotel room he was alive.”

“You try and fuck her?” Langdon signed. “Because I wouldn’t say no.”

I ignored him.

“I don’t really see her capable of killing him, but that doesn’t mean I trust her.”

“Of course not, she deals in secrets.” Sebastian leaned back in his chair with a frown. “But she’s an asset and will continue to be as long as she doesn’t become a problem.”

“What happens if she fucks us over?”

“I’m sure she will … It’s in her nature.” Sebastian paused for a moment. “But we’ll cross that bridge when it comes to it.”

Unlike Sebastian, who needed people to recognise him, Aeris worked better in the shadows. To everyone she was just the owner and entertainer at Atlantis. But to those in power, she was the Mistress of Whispers, a woman who could dig up just about anything—if you had the right money.

Langdon cocked his head to the side, his hands moving slowly, like he was still turning the thought over. “You think she actually killed him?” he asked, a flicker of grim amusement crossing his face. “The guy was a prick, but leaving him like that, cock out and all, was cold.”

“We don’t know what she’s capable of.” I shrugged, knowing that while Aeris was recognisable, her services were reserved only for those who could afford them.

This was the first time she’d directly interfered with us, and normally anyone who posed a threat would already be dealt with. But Sebastian was right, the reach of her network, and the information she could uncover through it, made her an asset.

“She asked how to get an audience with you,” I added. “I told her she couldn’t.”

A laugh caught in Sebastian’s throat, but he didn’t release it. I watched him closely, attuned to every tightening muscle in his shoulders and every flicker of distance creeping into his eyes. He’d been better since Ara, not so quick to anger and less lost in memories that should remain forgotten, but I still couldn’t break the habit of watching him. Always waiting for another manic break that I’d have to try and bring him back from, usually by letting him beat the shit out of me in the ring.

“You good?” I asked, and Sebastian’s jaw tensed at the question.

“Always.” He glared, and I read his expression. I’m fine, worry about something else. “How’s your father?”

I narrowed my eyes at the subject change. “Arsehole as usual. He wants heirs.”

“Heirs?” Sebastian chuckled.

“Not to forget marriage first, because we all know how traditional he is.”

“Very,” Sebastian said dryly. “What can you expect from a blue blood money launderer for one of the biggest drug enterprises on the continent.”

Langdon whistled, his hands shaking as he laughed. “Better get to it then, considering the last time you fucked a woman was … how long ago?”

This time it was my turn to flip him off. “He also wants me to scare one of the partners at the firm. Apparently he’s been skimming money that doesn’t belong to him.”

“Anything to do with us?” Sebastian asked, his tone darkening.

I shook my head. “Nah, just some muppet.”

“Take backup if you need it.” The edge in his voice wasn’t concern so much as a warning. This wasn’t exactly the first time someone had tried to steal our money. But I waved off his suggestion, already feeling the familiar curl of resentment tightening in my chest, my father’s fingerprints all over another mess he expected me to clean up.

My phone vibrated, and I answered it without checking. “Yeah?”