The whole thing was horrifying. And maybe even one more reason not to get too attached to people. I’ve spent my life worrying about Eliza. And I’m honestly not sure there’s room in my heart for more potential fear and pain.
And love?
The little voice comes out of nowhere and I push it down. I’ve somehow developed a sappy side ever since Eliza and Quince got back together, and sappy isn’t a good look for me. Not at all.
“Earth to Emma.”
I shake my head as if clearing cobwebs. “Sorry. Honestly, I didn’t expect to see you here, either. I hope it’s not awkward.”
Cass dismisses my words with a wave, then slips off her sandals and sits on the edge of the pool, her feet dangling in the water, too. She looks amazing, as always. Her hair is platinum blonde today, and she wears no jewelry other than a small nose ring. Her top is sleeveless, so I can still see most of the exotic bird tattooed on her shoulder, its vibrant tail feathers cascading down her arm. “Nah, I’m good,” she says. “Still friends, right?”
I meet her eyes. “Always.”
“I get why you bolted. I just wish we could have talked about it.”
I let a shoulder rise and fall. “It was three months ago. Water under the bridge.” No way am I going to talk about my feelings. And definitely not about how Cass had messed up a perfectly good friends-with-benefits thing by suggesting we get serious. I probably should have expected it. Cass is the type who wants a steady partner. I’m not.
Cass sighs.
“What?”
“Nothing. I just hope that someday you find someone you can really talk to. Someone other than Eliza, I mean.”
I keep my mouth shut. I know she means well, but so what if I don’t want to get all deep and open and share my shit? That isn’t who I am. It isn’t who I want to be. And if I ever do need to vent, I really do have Eliza, who loves me and will always be there for me. And why can’t that be enough?
“Right,” Cass says, standing as my silence lingers. “You should start doing girls’ night at your house again. Even if you don’t invite me.”
“Stopping had nothing to do with you.” I used to host weekly girls’ nights for the women who now surround Eliza by virtue of moving permanently to LA to be with Quincy. I’d put on my perky hostess personality and try to be bubbly. Over the years, I’ve developed a lot of different personalities. And it’s best to keep them all in practice. After all, who knows when I’ll have to become someone else for a job. Or to hide.
“Truly,” I add, since Cass’s expression is dubious. “I’ve been doing an out of town job for most of the last three months.” The job had been for myself—gathering the intel on what Cane was up to so that I could go to my old boss and propose the hit. In exchange for covering for me, the SOC would get the intel I gathered about Cane’s clients. “Since Eliza’s picked up the slack, I didn’t think to start having them at my house again.”
“Fair enough,” Cass says. “I just wanted to make sure we were good.”
“We are. Totally.”
Cass frowns and I almost sigh. Surely we’re not going to have to go another round of touchy-feely talk. But then she says, “Check that out.”
I realize the frown is meant for something behind me, and I turn, then draw in a sharp breath when I see him.
Not that I know him, the guy with the dark hair, haunted eyes, and just enough beard stubble to give him a cavalier edge. I don’t know why, but something about him seriously pushes my buttons. “Nice,” I say. “Who is he?” He’s talking with Damien, so I assume he must be a party guest.
“His name’s Antonio Sanchez.”
“You know him?”
Cass shakes her head. “I was nearby when he came in. The guard working the garden entrance asked for his name and ID before calling Damien.”
“Interesting,” I say, and Cass laughs.
“What’s funny?”
A grin tugs at her mouth. “I’m just relieved. We really must be out of the weirdness and back in the friend zone if you’re going gaga over some guy while you’re standing right next to me.”
“Not gaga. Just admiring the view.”
“Not bad, but I’m not interested,” Cass says. “He’s not my type. Note the pronoun.”
I purposefully let my gaze roam over the specimen. “Personally, I’m all about equal opportunity”
Cass rolls her eyes. “Come on. If we go get a drink we’ll walk right past him. You can do that sexy thing with your eyes. Maybe he’ll bite. I’m sure Damien won’t mind if you try to pick up one of his guests.”
“I don’t do a thing with my eyes.”
“Yeah. You do. Come on.”
I consider arguing about the eye thing, but don’t. As for the walk, I’m totally down for that. And not because I want to make eyes at the guy. I’m simply glad I don’t have to walk on eggshells around Cass.
Unfortunately, we’ve only gone a few feet when Damien and Antonio Sanchez turn and walk down one of the long paths that meanders through the property. I stand still for a moment, realizing with annoyance that I’m more disappointed than I should be.
“So we’ll get a drink anyway?” Cass asks.
“Sounds good to me.” Right now, I could use one.
We’re almost to the bar when Quince joins us. He stands beside me, but he talks to Cass. “Can I borrow her?”
I look at Cass, who shrugs. “Okay,” I tell Quince, then look at Cass. “I’ll catch up with you later?”
“Sure. I’ll be around here somewhere.”
Once she wanders off, I tilt my head and wait for what I know Quince is going to say.
“You joined Stark Security, despite suggesting to me two days ago on a certain rooftop that you had absolutely no interest in joining the team. For that matter, considering the mission, I would have been justified in thinking you were going back to the SOC.”
“Disappointed?”
He actually glowers. “As a matter of fact, I’m thrilled. You’re a hell of an asset, and you’ve made your sister very happy. But I’m a bit cheesed off you kept me in the dark.”
I consider giving him a brush-off answer, but decide on the truth. He deserves it. “You were a test case.”
He says nothing, but it’s clear from his expression that he expects me to continue.
“I like my freedom, okay? But I also admire talent and loyalty. And a bit of the rebel and rule-breaker mixed in doesn’t turn me off, okay? And Stark’s offer really was generous, and it’s a great team, so—”
“So basically, you took the SSA for a test drive through me.”
“Pretty much,” I admit.
He considers that. “Well, then I have to thank you.”
My brow furrows. “Why?”
“Because I can imagine how excited Eliza will be when she hears that I played such a huge part in gaining your agreement. I intend to take advantage of that.”
There’s a devilish twinkle in his gray eyes, and I put my hands over my ears. “I don’t even want to know about your raunchy plans with my sister.”
“Raunchy?” Eliza’s amused voice comes from behind, and I turn to see her grinning. Not at me, but at Quince. “Care to elaborate?”