59. Riggs #3
“I am pleased you are taking a liking to my fish, however we have important matters to discuss. Take a seat,” Kohen grumbled, motioning to the chair across from him.
Riggs cleared his throat, his shoulders squaring.
Asshole.
The Historian stood by the wall, pushing up her glasses as she waited for Riggs to sit before closing the door.
Kohen flexed his fingers repeatedly. “Rokie told me you requested to read the text of the old magic systems. Why?” He adjusted his robes around his neck. “Then asking about shifters?” Kohen leaned forward. “You’re playing a deadly game.”
Riggs slid into the seat, folding his hands together. “I was looking for insight on a project I’m working on.”
“And what may that be?”
Riggs huffed a nervous laugh. “Darklings.”
Let’s see what Kohen knows.
“Tell me, what sparked your interest in the matter?”
“My Uncle Bob speaks to himself at times, claims that he hears voices inside of his head and I…figured maybe he’d gone mad for an entirely different reason.”
Kohen stared at Riggs for a moment, leaning back in his chair, and placed his hand underneath his chin. “I highly doubt you are being honest.”
Riggs crossed his arms. “I can assure you it’s the truth.” Half truth. His Uncle Bob was indeed insane.
Kohen looked at Rokie and motioned to the door. “You are dismissed.”
Without a word, she bowed and took her leave, the door clicking shut.
Riggs' nerves climbed up his throat, stealing his breath.
“I will not allow my daughter to marry someone who is unfaithful.”
“About that?—”
“I am not finished speaking.” Kohen pinned him with a look of dissatisfaction, and continued, “Sophie, is it? Your cousin? How unusual to learn there is a romantic relationship between the two of you.”
Riggs opened his mouth then closed it.
Kohen was only wrong about one thing.
Let the merchant think I’m a cousin fucker.
Plus?
“I am not justifying my actions by any means, but what of Izara and Oliver?—”
“How my children show their affection for one another is none of your concern.”
Riggs leaned back in his chair, tapping a booted foot on the tiled floor. “Affection? You won’t see me tonguing my brother.”
“Enough,” Kohen warned, his voice eerily calm. “It is simply our culture. I won’t stand for your disrespect for another second.”
Your culture is twisted. Riggs swallowed his scoff.
“What was your intention with my daughter?” Kohen angled his brow. “Enlighten me.”
Riggs slouched in the cushion, running his hands across his face. “Truly, I never had any intention.” She gave semi-decent blow jobs.
“Is that so?” He twisted his bronze ring. “Why the performance last night?
To gain access to your library. Riggs blinked fast. “Izara can be quite the convincing genius.”
“Are you telling me she convinced you to play pretend with her?”
Riggs gave a curt nod. “That is what I am saying, yes.”
“And what did you get in return?” Kohen touched his quill, stroking the feathers.
“A bath, a nice dinner, and a warm bed.” Riggs' lips quivered into a nervous grin.
“A bed that was unused last night.”
Riggs stiffened. “I woke up early and fixed the sheets myself.”
Kohen leaned forward, a sinister smile spreading across his face as he circled the room with his index finger. “I have eyes everywhere.” He clicked his tongue. “Do not fool me. I had already been informed whose bed you were found in…naked.”
Riggs' heart pounded through his ears.
Fuck.
Riggs stood, and explained, “For the record, Kohen, your daughter forgot to mention that I ended things with her two summers ago.” He held up two fingers, wanting the emphasis, then slid his hands in his pockets. “And Killian and I are simply here for business.”
Kohen choked, turning red. “She did fail to inform me, though I could say the same about you.” He waved his hands and rose.
“I would offer you to stay another night, but there is no reason since you are not romancing my daughter. I look forward to seeing you both for the second shipment, and I do hope you found what you were looking for.” His demeanor quickly switched into something else…
something dark, as he warned, “I’m not somebody you want to cross.
Know better than to play me for a fool.”
Sweat beaded on Riggs' brow, his fingers twitching in his pocket as he resisted the urge to wipe the fear away. “I’m not, sir.”
“You have one chance to tell me who Sophie truly is.”
Riggs' heart thundered. “My cousin.”
Kohen’s eyes blazed with ire. “I warned you.” Gripping his hands on the desk, he growled, “I remember my clients, particularly the special ones.” He motioned to his case of jewelry resting on a shelf. “Do not forget I am the finest jeweler in the continent, among other things.”
Riggs' face bunched, eyes widening.
The necklace—Esemeray’s necklace.
Riggs' stomach dropped to the floor.
They needed to leave.
Now.
Riggs spun, darting for the door.
Kohen snapped his fingers, halting Riggs in his tracks. “You and Killian are free to go.” His voice was deceptively calm. “But the princess will stay. Dagon has already been informed of her whereabouts.”