All Is Bright - K. Sterling Page 0,12

myself. That’s not a bad lineup, in addition to the arsenal Alon and Casper have in the stables,” Hawk said and Lane didn’t like the way his gut ached as he looked around the study. Blink was preparing for a battle at Blackhurst—possibly an invasion—and he’d called in the big guns.

“What the hell is going on?”

Chapter 7

“What the hell are you doing?” Lavender hissed when he caught up with Reginald in the conservatory.

“Hmmm?” He hummed as he spun and held up his hands innocently. “Just going for a walk and a smoke before dinner,” he lied but he pulled a joint from behind his ear and lit it. Lavender looked behind Reginald to see if there was anything of concern in the foliage.

“What are you up to?”

“Why would you assume..?” Reginald started then laughed as he exhaled and waved it off. “Of course, I’m up to something but I’m just getting the lay of the land at the moment,” he said.

“The lay of the land?” Lavender asked warily but Reginald nodded quickly as he checked over his shoulder then glanced at the corner behind Lavender. There had to be at least two cameras in the conservatory and Reginald would know where they were and if there were any blind spots.

“We’re in the dragon’s lair, sir! We’ve got to watch our steps and tread carefully here. Alon and Blink are watching closely and they know we don’t trust them.”

“No, no, no!” Lavender begged and pressed his hands together. “I don’t care if they’re watching us or think we don’t trust them. Toly’s in a panic and afraid of what you’ll do next and Ezra thinks you should spend some time in Chester with Kiera.”

“Ezra’s not completely wrong but I’d never settle for someplace that grim and gloomy.”

“Would you please focus?” Lavender ordered and snapped his fingers in front of Reginald’s face. “You’re already on thin ice. Do us both a favor and keep your nose clean.”

“Mixing metaphors. It’s not like you to be so careless,” Reginald noted and Lavender’s blood pressure jumped and his eyes flared.

“Why are you testing me? I’m trying to keep them from killing you,” he said as he pointed at the study. Reginald grinned and tapped his nose.

“That’s part of the plan. They’re already expecting me to do something and watching my every move.”

“Wouldn’t it make sense to behave, since they’ve all got their eyes on you?” Lavender countered but Reginald’s grin only grew wider.

“The trick is to be quicker than the eye. I learned that from you,” he said then bowed as he backed away then spun and took a hit off a joint as he wandered deeper into the conservatory.

“Alon will be calling us to dinner soon,” Lavender warned and Reginald waved over his head.

“I’ll be there.”

“I have such a terrible feeling about this,” Lavender groaned and rubbed his temple as he made his way along the path to the door. His instincts told him that Reginald was scouting out his position and would begin to gather intelligence and rearm himself. His instincts also told him that Reginald might be messy but he was never sloppy when it came to work. “Just don’t get us all killed.”

Lavender’s mood only darkened when he returned to the study. Aiden, Ezra and Toly didn’t look pleased with him. He threw them a questioning look as he went to give his regards to their host. Sage was with Lane and Hawk and looked serious. Elliot was doing his best to reassure his assistant that everything was “cool” but Matteo appeared concerned and curious and his eyes were huge as they darted around the room.

“I trust everyone is settling in and your rooms and the amenities meet with your approval,” Cyril said. He was in the alcove in the corner, resting against the edge of his desk and his ankles were crossed as he nursed a scotch. His eyes and the angles of his face were severe as he studied the men assembled around the room. Lavender knew Cyril was secretive and paranoid but was struck by just how much he didn’t want all these people in his house. Lavender wondered if it was the secrets Cyril kept hidden in his vaults and the stables or if it was his past that consumed him and made him so ruthlessly inflexible and controlling. Did you go too far or push too hard? Lavender wondered. Cyril wouldn’t have gambled his sanity or his privacy unless it was serious. At the thought, Cyril