“I can’t use James like that,” I protested.
“You can, and you will.” His voice softened as I frowned at him. “Look, I know you care. But this is about finding answers about your dad’s death, and stopping Christine from murdering anyone else, and taking Alstone Holdings out from under us. I’ll die myself before I let that fucking happen.”
I stared at him, his words whirling around in my brain, before I nodded slowly. He was right. James could be the key. At least we’d know whether or not to rule out a connection between the Hydes and my mother.
“Okay. Let’s make a plan.”
A couple of hours later, we’d come up with the basics, and I sent a text to James.
Me: I’m having a party for my birthday. Want to come?
James: Are you sure you want me there?
Me: Yes. We’re friends, or at least we were. Please?
After holding my breath for what seemed like an eternity, I finally received a reply. Three words that filled me with both relief and unease.
James: Tell me where and when. I’ll be there.
“I guess we’d better get ready for another party, then? Get the word out, or whatever you guys do?”
Caiden smirked at me. “Already done. No one can resist a chance to be seen at one of our parties.”
“Of course not.” I rolled my eyes at him. “Guess I’d better start preparing. Remember that no one’s supposed to know we’re together. Other than our close friends, that is.”
“I’m aware of that.”
“Good. Ugh, I hope other girls don’t flirt with you.” I screwed my face up.
He laughed, shrugging. “Comes with the territory.”
“Great.”
Brushing my hair away from my face, his lips touched my ear. “You’re the only one I want.”
I smiled, turning my head to look into his eyes. “I know. Same.”
He stood and dropped a hard kiss on my lips. “This mouth. Mine. This body—” He tugged me off my stool and into his arms. “Mine.” His hands drifted lower, onto my ass. “This sexy as fuck ass. Mine.”
“I get it.” I laughed, even though I was kind of melting at the same time. I loved his possessiveness.
“Booze run, yeah?” Cassius waved his car keys in the air. “Anyone wanna come? Winter?”
“Got somewhere to be.” Z stalked out of the door, his face as blank as always, but there was an air of menace surrounding him that gave me shivers.
I twisted in Caiden’s arms to face Cassius. “Yeah, I’ll come. If this is meant to be a party to celebrate my birthday, then I should at least have a say in what we get.”
“You two go.” Caiden dropped a kiss on my hair, before dipping his head to speak to me in a low voice. “I wanna make sure West is alright.”
“Good idea.”
He released me with one last kiss, and I followed Cassius from the kitchen.
“How are you feeling? Y’know, about everything?” Cassius’ voice was uncharacteristically serious as we pulled into the huge supermarket car park.
I unclipped my seat belt and turned to face him. “I’m weirdly okay, actually. Knowing I have you four in my corner, and now we have all this evidence piling up, it makes me feel…hopeful, I guess?”
“Good. We’ve got your back, babe. You know you’re one of us, now.”