The Secrets We Hide (The Four #2) - Becca Steele Page 0,44
about the whole thing with the Argo Navis being a constellation. I know that was a coincidence, since the boat was actually called the Argo Navis, but what if Andromeda is a code name or something that your dad came up with?”
“You think?” I eyed her doubtfully, but as I actually thought it through, the more I felt like she could be onto something. “You know what? This could definitely be worth investigating. Maybe there’s something I’ve missed.” A thought hit me. “What if his star charts contain answers? Or clues, at least? I never thought to look at them.”
She grinned at me. “Dream team, baby.”
“You know it. Let’s tell the others once we have the charts to hand; I’ll come and pick them up in the week.” Although I’d moved in with the Four, since it was only supposed to be a temporary arrangement, I’d left some of my stuff back in my room in Kinslee’s apartment, including the star charts.
I suddenly realised that the others had stopped talking and were watching us curiously.
“Anything you wanna share?” Cassius stood, stretching, then flopped onto the sofa between me and Kinslee.
“No,” I started to say, then stopped. “Actually, yeah. We need to talk about the ball.”
I gave them a rundown of my conversation with James. As soon as I mentioned his name, Cade grabbed me and pulled me into his lap, tightening his arms around me possessively.
“You really don’t like James, do you?” I murmured softly, while the others were distracted, talking about someone who had got drunk and started a fight at the ball—which I’d completely missed.
“I never liked him, but I have even more reason since you came along. He used you. He’s had his dick in you. I fucking hate him.”
I stared into his darkened eyes, hard and angry, but I could see the vulnerability underneath. “We’ve talked about this before, but you have to know that no one could even dream of measuring up to you, in my eyes. You’re not even in the same galaxy.” Hooking my arms around his neck, I stroked my fingers through his soft, dark hair as he stared at me silently. “You have to know how I feel about you. James is insignificant to me, to us. A blip in my past. You? You’re my future.”
His eyes closed, and he groaned. “Fuck, baby. I—” He cut himself off, kissing me with one of his hard, demanding kisses, gripping my jaw to hold me in place. I kissed him back with everything I had.
“I’m getting a boner just watching you two kiss.” We sprang apart to see Cassius eyeing us with rapt interest, his face far too close for my liking.
“Cass. There’s a thing called personal space.” I unhooked my arms from around Caiden’s neck and shoved at his shoulder. He laughed and moved away, leaning back on the sofa.
“Let’s finish discussing this ball, then you can go do whatever you need to do. And I can go do whoever I need to do.”
“Right.” I rolled my eyes at him and turned to face the others. “Um. The only other thing I wanted to mention was what happened when I followed Arlo.”
I gave them a brief rundown of the events, trying to recall the snatches of conversation I’d overheard.
“I’m not convinced about dad’s involvement in all this, but at least now we have this new gear, we might be able to watch the docks more, try and work out what’s going on down there.” Weston started carefully packaging everything away.
Cade spoke up. “Tuesdays seem to be our best bet. We’ll aim for a Tuesday—we’ll split up, two of us can go back to Alstone Members Club while the others check the docks, but we need to proceed with caution. Z, you said Creed told you security had been stepped up there?”
Zayde nodded, before swiping the game controller from the floor. Everyone seemed to take that as a sign the conversation was over.
“Kins, you want to help me? You’re a girl. I need to buy a gift for my sister. Right now. I’ve got about half an hour before I need to leave.” Cassius turned to her, giving her his best begging look, putting his hands together in a prayer symbol.
“More favours?” she grumbled. “Go on, then. But you owe me. I’m guessing we’re shopping online?”
Horror crossed his face as he stood, pulling her to her feet. “Fuck, yes. I’m not going shopping in town or anything. Can’t imagine anything worse.”