Burn (Virtues & Lies 1)

“Yes.”

“Good.” Reaching back and into the drawer of his desk, he takes the Glock he handed me yesterday and checks the magazine before holding it out to me. “Take it, and don’t pass it off on Wayne because Cassie throws her toys out of the pram.” When I take the gun from him, he says, “Good work today. Hopefully we find what we’re looking for soon.”

The heavy metal settles in the front pocket of my hoodie, mirroring the weight of all my feelings…for Cassie, my father. Complete opposites but just as strong and unwavering.

“You really haven’t got any idea where he is?”

“Lucian has always been good at dropping off the radar when it suits him. Your father has a knack for ghosting.” Francis says, sighing as he walks me with him out of the office.

“I need to tell Cassie about him. She needs to know.” I chance a look at him and find him already looking at me with a seriousness that cuts through my righteous resolve.

“You want to protect her, then you make sure we get to the bottom of this quick.” He slaps my shoulder and stops me at the bottom of the stairs.

“It’s not just about protecting her, I…” Searching carefully for the right words, I decide to go with the simple truth. “I can’t lie to her, Francis. She’ll be devastated when she finds out the truth. You’ve warned me not to hurt her…”

“What do you think will hurt her more? The truth as she knows it, or the full measure of it?”

“He murdered her grandfather…he almost got her killed! She deserves to know that before she gets in deep with me.”

“We both know it’s too late for that.” As he opens his mouth to continue, Penny comes from the reception room, and Arabella follows with Christopher draped all over her.

“Are you all finished for today?” Smiling softy, she adds, “Dinner’s ready.”

I inwardly flail with my words, I don’t want to upset her by turning down the offer, but I have plans with Cassie. Plans I really don’t want to cancel or postpone.

Christopher hitches his brow with amusement, because Arabella has probably already told him what my plans are for tonight. Looking back to Penny, and then to Francis, who has the same bemused tilt to his face, I’m about to try and waffle my way out of her invitation when he says, “Actually, I think Leo and Cassandra have plans of their own.”

“We do.”

My head spins quicker than ever to find my beautiful girl.

“Hey!” she sings.

I’m taken aback and left completely speechless all at once. Cassie’s standing there looking incredible in her loose fitting jeans that make her gorgeous hips look so rounded and full I can barely stop myself from grabbing onto them with my greedy hands. Her waist looks miniscule with the way they band around it. They have tears and frays on her thighs and knees and the way she has them turned up shows off her delicate ankles.

The golden yellow shirt she’s wearing is simple, tied artfully at her waist so that although it’s not buttoned up, it’s not showing too much. There’s just enough skin to make it difficult for me to control the water filling my mouth. I’m salivating at the sight of her with her long mermaid like hair glittering in the light. The strands shimmering gold, silver and platinum.

Penny clears her throat, looking between us. “I didn’t realise you had plans…together.”

“It was an impromptu decision.” I say, trying not to sound like her offish reaction is bothering me.

I’ve known Penelope Sinclair a long time and she’s always been kind, welcoming and pleasant to me, but right now I can tell she’s not all too happy that I’m taking her daughter out.

“Shall we go?” Cassie asks from beside me.

She doesn’t wait for me to answer, or anything else to be said. Threading her arm through mine, she starts for the door and I have no choice but to allow her to lead me.

Something I never let a woman do to me.

* * *

I can feel her watching me as I drive through the London back roads. The sky is purpling with the setting sun, and it’s a pity that it’s happening so early, because I think she’d enjoy seeing it paint the city with its last blare of light.

“Why are you so quiet?”

“Why are you?” Glancing at her, I find her quirked expression flushed.

“I’m watching you, like you watch me. I’m trying to understand your stalker tendencies.”