This is a bad idea. I’m likely to get into a physical fight with my brother-in-law at his own party, but I can’t tell Autumn no. She doesn’t ask for much, but when she finds a hill she’s willing to die on, fuck if she won’t die on it.
I refuse to let that happen.
“It’s fine,a stór. If Kai does anything, I will deal with it. Cleo was with you when you extended the invitation. Am I correct?”
“Yes.”
“Then she will have your back as well. We will make it through this.”
Autumn steps forward and grabs onto the sides of my shirt as she presses her chest into mine.
“I know you don’t understand it, but when I saw her, I just knew that she needed us. I can’t walk away.”
“I don’t like it,” I say after a few moments of silence.
“I know.” She nods.
I run my hand over the back of her head, letting it tangle with her hair. “Tell me what you need from me.”
“I told her she could ride with Declan since they’re neighbors. I know Kai doesn’t like strangers in his home, but I thought maybe you could convince him to let Declan bring her as a date. I mean, you tell him what to do all the time.”
“That’s not the same.”
Autumn shrugs.
“I’ll see what I can do.”
She smiles and bounces up on her toes, kissing me lightly. “Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.”
“Of course.”
I mean, hell, how hard can it be to convince Declan to take his neighbor on a fake date.
Hard.
The answer is hard.
ChapterSix
“You know you didn’t have to come with me today. You could be off doing whatever it is that you usually do.”
I look over to Kado as he looks at the antique china sets on display.
I was going to bring my normal guard, Haruto, but Kado was insistent that he be the one bringing me.
“Are you even listening to me? I know your hearing isn’t impaired.” I wait until he looks at me.
He shrugs before pointing at the sets.
“Cleo is the definition of a housewife. She is content being the perfect wife for Kai. What better than to buy her some antique china? I’m looking for something that maybe feels Japanese so it fits with their culture. What do you think?”
He nods once, then sets off looking. I roll my eyes. I have no clue why he’s here today, but I know he’s been acting differently lately.
I stroll around looking until I feel a tap on my shoulder. Kado smiles, nodding his head for me to follow.
So I do. I follow him down a few aisles until we reach a section of tea sets. There are many there, but he points to this dark blue set with gold scenery painted on it. As I look closer, I realize it’s a mountain with cherry blossoms. It’s beautiful.
Kado holds up the card, showing that it’s a set that was made in the 1800s in Nippon. The price is a little excessive, but for Cleo, it’s worth it. She’s been nothing but kind to me.
