Chapter 26

Chapter Twenty-Six

Cadel didn't sit and drink the hot chocolate. He drank it as he paced, his gaze on Everest, who was trying too hard to be calm and poised. "This morning cost you."

"Yes." Everest took a sip from his mug, but Cadel saw through his untroubled act..

Cadel stopped and stared at him. "Then why? What am I missing?"

Everest put his mug down and nudged one of the chess pieces. "I am eliminating options and protecting my pieces."

Cadel kneeled next to him. He put his hand on Everet's thigh and lowered his voice. "Your family."

He gave a single nod and pulled a small piece of paper out of his pocket. They both read it. Then Everest glanced at him checking that Cadel had memorized the address.

Cadel pointed at the floor, meaning here.

"Yes." Everest nodded.

That Everest knew where they were was a good thing and while he wanted to ask what he'd discussed with Jacob, he wasn't about to voice the question .

Everest finished his hot chocolate. "I have kept Theo waiting long enough. There is a fine line between asserting authority and being a dickhead."

"I don't think you're a dickhead." He pulled Everest into an embrace and kissed his temple. "But I want to help you."

"You are. You are keeping me here and alive. And I am very much enjoying your methods."

"I'm just doing as I'm told." Like everyone else around Everest, he was making the moves Everest had encouraged him to play. He'd played chess enough times to know that when Everest left an obvious opening, it was always a trap…or at least it was until Everest was sure he'd realized it was a trap, and then the rules changed. He wanted to learn to play chess better, to understand what Everest was planning.

"No, you act as though you're doing as you're told. You think too much to be a bodyguard."

"Was that an insult or a compliment?"

"Both because now I give a fuck, I'm going to feel it next time." His features pinched and pained. "But maybe I'm supposed to feel it." He placed his hand on Cadel's cheek and kissed him. "And it isn't a bad a thing."

For a couple of heartbeats, Cadel wanted nothing more than to get out of there with Everest. Fuck the rest of the world. "I feel it. And I don't want to lose it."

Everest drew back and shook his head. "No. You don't get to change the plan."

"Wouldn't dream of it, sir. You're ten steps ahead. But I'll be ready to pick up the pieces after." Cadel picked up the queen and put it in Everest's pocket. A simple reminder that they were still playing and that the game wasn't over.

Everest's eyes turned glassy. "Damn you. I am fine with dying; don't make me want to live. I don't want to make a mistake."

Cadel gripped his hand. "You won't."

"Give me a signal if I start leaking."

"I'll wrinkle my nose." He demonstrated, and Everest nodded.

"Now, get off your knees before I want to be distracted."

Cadel grabbed two bishops off the board and put them in his pocket. He didn't need a reminder; he wanted a weapon. Then he stood and pulled Everest up. He pressed a soft kiss to his lips. "Go meet your brother."