Chapter 21

It wasa nice surprise to find that Bredon could be charming and flirt. He was relaxed and attentive during dinner. He shared stories about the three friends.

I didn't want the night to end. I tried to tell myself to enjoy what he was giving and not to push for more.

"Would you like another drink?"

I noted that we were finished with the cobbler, and I knew the staff would not wish to hurry us, but there was no reason to delay their work. "Yeah." I started to push my chair back, and suddenly, he was there to assist.

"Another whisky?"

Because I couldn't track his movement, I wondered if I was a little tipsy. I didn't know how that could be, but I wanted to be cautious. "This one should have more soda, please."

"As you wish." He walked me to the bar. "Let's take these to my room. We will be more comfortable there."

I gave him a closed-lip smile as I looked at him from under my lashes. I didn't want to misinterpret his intentions. I needed to think before acting.

"What is going on in your head?" He handed me my glass and walked around the bar.

"I'm not sure what I should say."

He placed his palm on the small of my back, and we walked to his rooms. Once there, we sat on the sofa. "I find you fascinating."

"That doesn't feel like a compliment." I watched him as he grinned.

"I also admire your honesty."

"You'll get tired of it," I said softly as I looked away.

"I don't think so. You see, here…" He looked around the room. "Here, we must be careful with our words. Others will run to Anton with a tale."

"And then what? Will he decree, ‘Off with your head?'" I snorted as I made a chopping motion with my hand.

"Yes."

The crazy thing is that I believed him. I leaned forward and placed my drink on the table. I didn't want alcohol to cloud my brain. This felt important. "Bredon, what kind of place is this?" Suddenly, I was uneasy. My gut was warning me to be careful.

His gaze held mine. "You are safe."

"Yeah? Because if you feel you have to say that, it doesn't make me think that I am." I crossed my arms over my chest.

"You were given specific rules; if you follow them, you will be fine."

I studied him for a long moment. "Then I have to ask, are you safe?"

His bark of laughter was loud and sharp. "You have amazing instincts."

When he didn't continue, I began to think that he would shut down and that I would be excused for the night. "So that means, yes?" I uncrossed my arms and leaned closer to him. It felt like we should be talking in soft voices.

"Anton hates me. If he could, he would kill me."

It felt like my heart skipped a beat. My hand covered my chest protectively. I believed him. "Then why don't you leave?"

He let out a long sigh. "It is a long story that intermingles family honor, the role I was trained for since birth, and my attachment to what can only be described as my sense of duty and responsibility to others."

"That's a lot to unpack in one sitting." I had not anticipated such a truthful and yet vague response.

"I sometimes feel that I am being suffocated here in my role. I try to do good to compensate for Anton's impulsive acts that cause chaos. He is not a good Leader."

I didn't need to touch him to know that he was being honest and that this information was difficult to admit. "Why haven't you killed him? Or arranged for someone else to do it?"

Who was I?I had never talked about murder so easily. However, it seemed like the simple answer to Bredon's problems.

"Sage!" He looked around the room as if he expected someone to attack. "You can't say things like that."

Now, I was a little ticked off. I chose to overlook oddities while here. Not because I was an idiot and was blind, but because I understood that by showing no interest or asking too many questions, I was safer. "Don't talk to me like I'm stupid," I whispered harshly. "This place is…I'm not sure what to call it… Some kind of closed community." I looked around. "Your half-brother is the Leader, and you all fear him. Some more than others." I waited to see if he would dispute anything that I'd said. "Talia is allowed to travel." I blinked several times as the pieces started fitting together. "I think you three do something or have a deal with your Leader so she can come and go."

He sat back and watched me calmly.

However, I could almost feel him thinking, trying to anticipate what would come out of my mouth next and how he would handle it.

I watched him warily.

His continued silence spurred me on.

"That's why she rushed to get back here from Chicago. Her time was running out, and she didn't want to put you in jeopardy." I tried to use my gift to get a hint about what he was feeling. When he didn't deny my opinion or physically shut me up, I continued, "How do the people here survive? There's nothing for miles. It's like living in the past." I said the last part so softly that I doubted he could hear me. Then, I leaned forward, my curiosity raging as more and more observations popped into my head. "How can you all endure the weather? Or find enough work to pay bills?" I paused and let out a slight snort. "Nobody is that hardy."

"My life isn't that difficult. This wing has electricity. Most other places do not. The same goes with the internet," he told me begrudgingly.

"Do the people choose to live here, or can they leave?"

His eyes flashed with anger for a moment.

I had to respect his control and damn my lack of knowledge. This was real, or what I'd been allowed to see felt real.

"In recent years, several have relocated."

He sounded like the villain in a James Bond movie when it got to the point where they explained rationally how they planned to destroy the world.

"An enterprising soul might figure out a way to save enough money to bribe someone for a ride to the closest town. The next problem would be that living outside would be a culture shock. People here have little education. Survival away from the Reddlands would be difficult."

It felt like I was getting a glimpse into the powerful diplomatic side of Bredon—coldly calculating and someone who knew how to use silence to his advantage.

And…even realizing that, I forged on, "Why do you stay? You're educated, and you travel so you can assimilate. I assume you have money stashed somewhere." I felt my adrenaline spike as I began to connect the dots.

He shook his head once. "I knew you were bright. I had that sense the night we met. You've been careful, only asking a few questions, although you see far more than you let on."

"I've lived in many places. Sometimes, I've needed to figure out what was happening to smooth our way."

"Your nomadic childhood taught you valuable lessons. You managed to survive." His approving nod said he was complimenting me.

"A child should have more than just survive," I said, my voice filling with anger and hurt. "It would've made things easier if people had noticed my mother neglecting me. I survived because I saw to it." I didn't add that I'd resorted to stealing because I'd been hungry and refused or was too afraid to ask our host for another thing.

"It was decided when I was born that I would be Anton's Second. When I was younger, I stayed because my father had instilled in my head that my path was to defend and protect Anton," he shared. "I felt that I had to be loyal to him. At times, Anton would listen to my counsel, which gave me hope that things might improve."

"I'm sure that worked out well for Anton until he realized you were much smarter than he was." This was like a bad family saga made into a drama for TV.

"The people…they like me. They believe that I try to do what is best for all. If I were killed, there might be an uprising. That is why Anton has not attempted to get rid of me in some time."

"Why don't you try to unseat him?"

"Because…I don't want to be in charge of this…" He waved his hand toward the window. "I can't save us."

"You could try," I told him fiercely. I knew that he cared about the people. He might have shown me his harder side, but he wanted those within these walls to prosper.

"I never wanted to be responsible for so many others. I don't have the patience to do right by them." He looked down, frowning. "I would fail them in the end because I am not strong enough to handle the knowledge that I would be responsible for so many."

I blinked slowly. The strong man before me had admitted his truth and his greatest fear. The world wasn't always kind to those who were honest about who they were. People tell you they want to know the truth but don't. They like to hold onto their perceptions, no matter how wrong.

I took in a few breaths. "I understand." I took his hand in mine. "After dealing with Judith…I never want to feel that much worry and fear again. It is…draining." I didn't know a word that could encompass worry, responsibility, love, and frustration, not to mention fear, so well.

"I care…" His fingers entwined with mine. "But I can't be responsible for them. It's too much."

My heart hurt for this man. He wasn't telling me everything. I wasn't an idiot or blinded by attraction. However, I understood being forced into a position and unable to get free. "You're very brave to recognize that about yourself."

He waved a hand. "You give me too much credit."

I gave a slow smile as I shrugged one shoulder. "In this world, honesty is difficult to come by. Being honest with yourself and with me, I appreciate the effort. I know how much it can hurt."

"Goddess, you are amazing." He pulled me closer and kissed me.

It was like a switch was flipped. Was it because he was making the first move, or was I finally deciding to throw caution to the wind and not worry about tomorrow? I only knew I wanted this Bredon who had shown me a part of himself.

His mouth moved to my throat, a huge erogenous zone for me.

I panted. "Bedroom, now."