Chapter 4 #2
“On it.” I turn to the door on the opposite side of the room, the farthest corner from Hex’s game.
As far as I know, it’s the only way into the library.
I’ve already planted a bug inside, but we need to know who is meeting in secret.
Busying myself with another painting, I keep half my attention on the artwork and the other half on the door.
I don’t have to wait long. A man and woman come into the game room one after the other, their eyes jumping around as they slowly creep toward the library door and slip inside.
I’m on the move before the door has closed behind them, determined to find at least one solid lead tonight. I didn’t get a good enough view to see who the couple were, and I won’t walk away from tonight without something to show for it.
Right as I grab the handle, taking a calming breath to ready myself, an arm appears next to my head, palm pressing against the door to hold it closed. I don’t know what startles me more—how easily Hex approached without me noticing, or the way his sudden appearance didn’t startle me at all.
“Prince Hendrick,” I murmur, not turning around, “are you sure it’s a good idea to impede my investigation?”
“Not as sure as I am that you do not want to open that door.” He’s standing so close that his breath brushes the hair on my neck, drawing a shiver out of me.
Ruffled, I swallow hard and remind myself that I am one of the most skilled agents in the RIA and should not be so affected by this man. Unfortunately, years of training cannot undo years of yearning, no matter how foolhardy my feelings are.
Once I’ve regained a small portion of control over myself, I twist to face the prince, noting the way he keeps his hand on the door behind me. Still so close. “Why would I not want to open it?”
He grimaces as his gaze jumps to the door. “Because Lord Wicklow and Lady Graves just went inside.”
“That’s exactly why I came to investigate.” Placing my hand on his chest, I give him a slight push and ignore the way his muscle seems to push back. He doesn’t move, still studying the door as if he can see through it. “In case you forgot, that’s my job.”
Looking at me again, he furrows his brow. “To interrupt romantic liaisons?”
Heat rises from my throat to my cheeks as I try not to visualize what a romantic liaison with him might be like. Focus. “You can’t know that’s what they’re doing in there.”
“Everyone knows that’s what they’re doing in there.”
“That could be a cover.”
“Trust me.” He leans in, his eyes so focused on me that I can’t look away. “No covers are being employed by those two.”
It’s like he’s trying to turn me fully scarlet, and I wish his nearness wasn’t drawing so much attention from the others in the room.
Over Hex’s shoulder, at least half a dozen guests watch us intently, interpreting more than they should.
This is what I want—Hex pursuing me—but I can’t be seen returning his regard just yet.
Ugh, this would be easier if I’d had a chance to explain my plan to the prince.
I give Hex’s chest another firm push, and this time he steps back, giving me some room to breathe. With his hand no longer on the door, I could probably tug it open and slip through before he can stop me. But I don’t.
Using Hex as my cover, I duck my head closer to his chest and keep my voice low. “Lord Wicklow and Lady Graves. Have we caught any suspicious activity from them?”
“Aside from the affair they’ve been having for the last two years?” Callum answers almost immediately. “Negative.”
“Agent Doyle,” Virek says with irritation coloring his tone, “did you not think that would have been relevant information before now?”
“No.”
Virek groans. He sounds that way a lot whenever Callum is involved, which tends to make me like the tech agent more. Although, I can’t say I love the idea that Callum might have all sorts of knowledge about the nobility that he’s choosing not to share until it becomes ‘relevant.’
Does he have anything on Hex?
“Fine,” Virek says. “Storme, keep your focus on Blackmere and anyone he speaks to tonight.”
My gut tells me that’s the wrong move, but if I was wrong about Wicklow and Graves, I could be wrong about Blackmere too. Follow orders, I remind myself. I can’t do this on my own, so I need Virek to be on my side.
“I told you,” Hex says, a little too smug for my taste. Maybe spending more time with him and his ego will finally kill my ill-advised crush and set me free. “But what’s this about you following Blackmere?”
“He’s been flagged.” I resist the urge to roll my eyes, though I can’t decide if I’m more irritated with Virek or with the prince.
Hex wrinkles his nose. “The future Duke of Rensvik, who holds one of the oldest and most prestigious titles in Candora, has been flagged as a possible anti-royalist? He would sooner shave his head bald and dance naked in the city square than risk his standing.”
I agree, but we can’t afford to leave any stone unturned. “Well, so far he’s our only lead.”