The Key to Fear - Kristin Cast Page 0,93

someone.

Blair shifted her attention to the Major’s reflection as he removed his red dress cap and clasped it in front of him. “My men will have your brother to you by the end of the night. They’re close to finding him.”

“And the girl?” Blair sneered. Jealousy twisted her brow and burned hot against her tongue.

Rhett said nothing, his reflection stiffening almost imperceptibly.

Blair turned with liquid grace. “Major Owens—”

“Yes.” Rhett bit out the word in a strangled grunt, his hands twisting his red Key cap.

Blair drifted like a feather into the seat next to the towering Major and motioned to the empty chair next to her. “Please, sit.” She wet her lips. “And tell me what you know about Elodie Benavidez.”

The name seemed to grip Rhett by the throat. Each corded muscle popped against his neck as he moved across the office. “We are matched.”

Maxine sucked in a breath, her lips forming that distinct O as she waited for the salacious details of Rhett’s tarnished romance.

The corner of Blair’s mouth itched with a grin. It wasn’t Rhett’s pain that made her feel better, but the fact that this little girl wasn’t ruining Blair’s life alone. Misery loves company, and all that. “And you know the details of their … impropriety?”

“Impropriety?” Rhett snorted. “It’s disgusting what they did. Barbaric!”

The hairs on the back of Blair’s neck rose. “Rhett.” She tented her new fingertips beneath her chin as he sat beside her. “We are so much alike, you and I. We overestimate those around us. We expect in them the same traits that we possess. After all, it shouldn’t be difficult to follow the path laid out before you. We did. And look at us now.” Her sweeping gesture took in the marvelous expanse of her office. “In control. In power. But others, those we love …” Blair paused an extra breath to study Rhett, but he didn’t waver. “Those we care for …” Another pause. Another impenetrable wall. “Those we possess …”

Rhett’s fists tightened around his cap.

Blair clasped her hands and rested them against her knees. “I am not surprised this happened.”

Rhett’s brow creased. “Then you know something I don’t.”

“I know my brother. What I do not know, however, is how you were completely unaware that your match is such a trifling …” Blair twirled the air around her fingertips.

Maxine tilted her head. “Siren?” she chimed.

Oh, little monster. “Ah, yes.” Blair nodded. “A word straight out of the history books.”

Rhett shifted uncomfortably. “Now, I wouldn’t go that far. Elodie has never seemed—”

Blair held up her hand. “Major Owens, most people are not how they seem. In your line of work, I’m sure you battle against that quite often.”

Rhett puffed. “Who’s to say you don’t have it backward? That your brother—”

“I know him better than he knows himself!” With a deep inhale, Blair packed her rage back down her throat. “Do you not remember that I brought you here to guide him down the right path? Clearly, he is easily manipulated. I will give your vermin of a fiancée that much credit. She chose wisely.”

Whatever Rhett was going to say, he’d channeled it into the cap he continued to twist in his hands.

Blair stood. She needed more space in her chest, more room for her lungs to expand and breathe, not to catch and quiver. She pursed her lips and dusted non-existent lint from her black pencil skirt “The next time I see you, you’ll have my brother and that girl.”

Rhett nodded and stood.

“And, Major Owens, I don’t need to remind you that this matter is to be handled discretely.” Blair dragged her new nails along the stone as she rounded her desk.

With a tight nod, Rhett smoothed out his cap and tented it against his white blond hair.

Blair gripped the back of her throne to keep from keeling over. Aiden was tearing her apart.

Maxine cleared her throat, widened her eyes, and pointed her chin in the Major’s direction.

Blair bit the inside of her cheek. She needed to focus. She’d almost made a mistake. Men like Rhett Owens didn’t like to be bossed. They liked control. They liked rewards. “Major Owens, this matter is personal and, I’m sure, affects you deeply. Know that after the dust has settled, I will make sure you are matched to a worthy woman. One of your choosing.”

Rhett’s Adam’s apple bobbed with a thick swallow.

“Elodie.” Blair scraped the tip of her tongue along her teeth. Just saying the girl’s name left a bad taste in her mouth. “She