Chapter 12
Grayson
Grayson knew he was in real trouble, or more correctly, his heart was in trouble.
The more time he spent with Cass, the deeper she drew him in and the more she fascinated him.
Granted, it had only been a few days, but he had a feeling Cass was someone he could go the distance with, and if he was reading her right, she was feeling the same.
While he was honored she trusted him enough to share all that she had, he found he was hesitant to reciprocate her courage.
At least not today, when she had enough to handle with saying goodbye to her grandmother and dealing with her family.
Later, though, he’d have to share because she wasn’t the only one who lived with family-induced guilt and the price it demanded.
Hell, his story could hold its own against hers.
They came around the corner and saw that the gathering in the chapel had migrated outside.
Clusters of mourners stood under the protective shade of trees near the building, talking in low voices.
Others stood in the parking lot, preparing to leave, but it was the group at the foot of the chapel stairs that had his pace slowing to a stop.
His gaze stalled on the man standing with Rhea and Elias.
He wore his tailored slate-gray suit with an ease that hinted it was his normal attire.
His short dark hair was streaked with gray, and his arm was curled around the waist of a stylish brunette a good fifteen years younger than the man’s sixty-plus years.
What the hell is he doing here?
“What?”
Grayson realized he’d stopped walking. “Do you know who your parents are talking to?”
She followed the direction of his gaze, and behind her heavily tinted lenses, her eyes narrowed in consideration. “No. Should I?”
“That’s Cole Burton,” he said without looking away from the small group.
Cass stepped in front of him, brushing a hand down his tie as if smoothing it out. “Sounds familiar, but I’m not placing it.”
He looked at her, his hands coming to rest at her hips as if he’d been doing it forever. “Cole Burton is the head of Burton Street Entertainment.”
She frowned and tilted her head, clearly still not understanding.
“He’s one of Vegas’s premier business leaders.” He gave her hips a gentle squeeze and lowered his voice. “He’s also rumored to be a possible replacement for Councilman Novak’s seat.”
Her frown disappeared as her eyes widened, her eyebrows rising above the rim of her glasses. “As in the Arcane Council, Councilman?”
“One and the same.” His gaze drifted back to the group, and he felt Cass follow suit.
“Interesting,” she murmured.
Yes, it is.
Close to a year ago, Jude Novak, one of the five members of the Arcane Council, had been forced to resign, and the details behind that were kept deliberately vague.
But Grayson had contacts in unlikely places, who’d mentioned the possibility of treachery and attempted murder.
Whatever the truth, filling the seat left empty by one of the biggest powerhouses in the Arcane world took serious time.
Grayson was not surprised that Burton, with his immense business influence and money and his old-name Family, was one of three names under consideration.
The sight of him talking to Rhea, Elias, and Russ with a familiar ease raised a few red flags, mainly because Grayson was a cynical soul and could think of many unsavory reasons a business mogul who might soon rise in power would consult a highly regarded strategic forecasting company, especially considering the rumors that a decision was imminent.
Or you’re letting the past get in the way of logic.
He ignored that rational voice as Cole caught his eye and lifted his chin in silent acknowledgment, a move that wasn’t missed by Russ or Rhea.
Both turned to look for who had Cole’s attention, and when they spotted Grayson standing with Cass, they frowned, Rhea in consideration and Russ in displeasure.
Tension spiraled through Grayson, but he returned Cole’s gesture.
Cass, who had caught the exchange, turned back to him. “You know each other.”
He looked at the woman in front of him. “He knew my parents.”
She didn’t miss the verb tense, but instead of pressing, she murmured, “Looks like he knows mine now too.”
As if hearing her, Rhea lifted an imperious hand to motion them over.
Cass sighed then half turned and took his hand. “Come on. Let’s get this over with.”
He let her lead the way for a few steps before falling in sync at her side. A slight breeze swept by, rustling the nearby leaves. Dappled sunlight followed them as they headed over. They hadn’t gotten far when Cass stumbled, and a small gasp escaped her.
He managed to keep her steady, but before he could ask if she was okay, she spoke in a low, urgent tone. “Who’s the woman with him?”
“No clue.” He adjusted his hold from her elbow to her waist as he picked up on her curious tension. “Why?”
She shot him an unreadable look and started to say something but stopped as two older women moved to intercept them. “I’ll tell you later.”
And that wasn’t at all ominous.
The women had been friends of Iris, but they knew Cass enough to give her a hug while quietly sharing their condolences. She handled it with a grace that Grayson had discovered, over the course of the morning, came naturally to her.
When they finally reached her parents, it was Elias who made the introductions. “Cole, this is my daughter Cassandra and her friend—”
“Grayson.” Cole’s smile was warm and sincere as he let go of the woman at his side and held out his hand to Grayson. “I wasn’t expecting to see you here.”
Grayson stepped in and shook his hand. “Sir.”
“Oh, you two know each other?” Rhea asked as Grayson retook his position at Cass’s side.
“We do.” Cole reclaimed the brunette. “His father and I worked together off and on through the years.”
That earned him a speculative look from Rhea, but Grayson wasn’t about to give her an opening to pursue her curiosity. Neither, it seemed, was Cass, who turned to the watchful brunette at Cole’s side and said, “Hi, I’m Cass.”
The other woman’s lips turned up, and amusement flickered in her eyes as if she understood Cass’s play and was happy to go along with it. “Hello, I’m Dana Marr.” She sobered a bit. “My condolences on your loss.”
“Thank you,” Cass said before stepping back to Grayson’s side. “Were you friends with my grandmother?” Her question was aimed at both Dana and Cole.
Rhea scowled briefly before her features settled into a more neutral expression, while Elias’s distant air gained a hint of disapproval.
What is it with these two? Their initial response to every interaction with their daughter was borderline defensive. No wonder Cass no longer tried to play nice. It had to be exhausting to feel like you were walking on eggshells every time you opened your mouth.
Dana shook her head.
“I was, actually. Her and Dorian,” Cole said.
For a moment, Grayson couldn’t place the name, but then it hit him. Dorian was the name etched on the shared headstone where Iris now lay.
“My ex-wife and I spent a great deal of time with your grandparents,” Cole said wistfully. “We lost touch with Iris after she lost Dorian. Then Lacey and I divorced, but I always meant to reach out.”
A slight grimace flickered on Cole’s face. Dana leaned in, her hand coming to rest on his chest, light flashing off the diamond of an unmistakable engagement ring.
“Unfortunately, life has a way of derailing the best of intentions.” Cole covered her hand with his and turned his attention to Grayson. “Speaking of, how is your father? I saw him about a year ago, and he seemed to be doing well.”
And there it was. The one topic Grayson had no intention of discussing, but manners dictated a response. “As far as I know, he’s fine.”
An awkward silence followed, interrupted by Russ clearing his throat. “Cole, why don’t you come by my office on Monday, and we can finish our discussion on how Pythia can assist?” he said with overdone affability.
Cole fielded the painfully clumsy change in conversation with a nod.
“I’ll have my assistant call.” He turned away from Russ so he could address Rhea and Elias.
“Again, so sorry for your loss. Iris was a wonderful woman, and she will be sorely missed.” Dana added her condolences while exchanging polite air kisses with Rhea as the two men shook hands.
Then Cole turned to Grayson and Cass. “Grayson, it was good to see you despite the circumstances. We should get together sometime.”
Grayson gave him a noncommittal “I’ll have to check my schedule,” as they shook hands.
Farewells were shared all around, and once the couple left, a strained silence swept through those left behind. Cass stepped into the breach, turning to her parents. “We’ll meet you at the house.”
She didn’t wait for their reply before going to Sofia and wrapping the wan young woman in a tight hug.
She whispered something to her sister and pulled back to study her.
Fresh tears hovered in Sofia’s red-rimmed eyes, but she gave Cass a nod, and Cass let her go.
She gave Russ a distant chin dip and then returned to Grayson, who took her hand, and without another word, they walked away.
“You’re awfully quiet over there,” Grayson said as they headed to her parents’ house.
“Just thinking,” Cass said to the passenger window.
“About your grandmother?”
“No.” Her answer was soft, and when she didn’t add anything more, he gave it time. His patience paid off when she turned away from the window and haltingly asked, “Do you… can I just vent for a second?”
Her hesitancy pinched his chest. “Vent away, Cass,” he said gently.