Bam!
It hits the wall with a terrifying bang that shaves several years off my life. Chloe and I both let out bloodcurdling screams. The popcorn bowl goes flying, scattering kernels across her bedspread. When the lights flip on, we’re practically cowering in fear — heads cradled in our arms, braced for the chainsaw-wielding maniac who is no doubt about to hack us to bits.
“Bad time?”
The male voice is amused.
Peeking out from the gaps between my fingers, my face contorts into a scowl as I see it is not, in fact, a psycho-killer here to inflict damage on my body.
Just a lady-killer, here to inflict damage on my heart.
“Asshole,” Chloe mutters, scrambling for the pause button on the remote. The TV screen freeze-frames on a particularly bloody scene. “You totally did that on purpose.”
Carter strides into the room looking uncharacteristically formal. He’s wearing a suit and his hair is styled back in a way that accentuates the sharp angles of his face. “Actually, I’m just getting back from a meeting. I was swinging by to say goodnight. Scaring the shit out of you was no more than a happy side-effect.”
“We weren’tthatscared,” I grumble, scooping handfuls of popcorn back into the bowl.
He scoffs. “Sure. Okay. Let’s go with that.”
“Another meeting?” Chloe pins her brother with a curious stare. “That’s, like, your third one this week.”
“Fourth.”
My brows go up. I want to pepper him with questions about what he’s doing in his spare time that requires so many meetings… but I have a feeling any curiosity that comes from me will be met with instant resistance. Better to let Chloe wheedle information out of him.
“Are you ever going to tell us what this new business venture of yours actually entails?” she asks pointedly. “Or am I supposed to start guessing trades?”
“Doesn’t seem like the most productive use of your time, but if you want to start guessing… have at it, sister.”
She glares at him. “Pigheaded bastard.”
“Pushy brat,” he volleys back.
“Prick!”
“Priss.”
“Playboy.”
“Pill-popper.”
“Recently reformed!” She wags a stern finger at him. “Don’t make me force the information out of you, brother. I know all your dirty laundry. Every skeleton you’re keeping in those Prada-stuffed closets of yours.”
“Blackmail? Really, Chloe?” He smirks. “Some thanks I get, after all I’ve done for you…”
“Don’t worry. I don’t plan on needing your help ever again.”
“Good. I might not always be around to bail you out of trouble.”
“What, are you going somewhere?” Chloe rolls her eyes at him. “Moving far, far away, unacceptably out of cell service when yourone and only sister on the entire planetneeds to reach you?”
Carter’s jaw clenches and he looks swiftly away.
“Oh my god!” Chloe pushes off the bed, onto her feet. “You’re not seriously thinking about leaving Vasgaard?”
He’s suspiciously silent.
“LeavingGermania?” Chloe gasps when she reads the affirmation on his face. “What the hell, Carter? Why would you do that?”