Framed Read Free

have a strange sense of irony. Perhaps if it were called the Mangled Corpse, it would be more appropriate.”
    His gaze intensified as his eyes darkened ever so slightly. I nearly smacked myself in the forehead for being such an idiot. A mangled corpse was likely the reason he was there to see me. That corpse would have belonged to another member of the PC, Petronus Ceteri; one of his brothers in arms.
    “I'm sorry,” I said softly. “I don't know what I was thinking.”
    “You weren't,” he said curtly before placing a hand on the small of my back to usher me down the street. “I guess that means coffee is on you tonight.”
    Sean and my relationship was as complicated as ever. With the murders of his brothers being pinned on me by most of the PC and his deal with the devil (a.k.a. Sophie), which he'd made to keep me alive after my vicious attack two weeks earlier, we were as standoffish and awkward as ever. He'd told me he loved me. I'd returned the favor, then found out that being together was never going to be in the cards. Ill fated lovers we were; a real Greek tragedy.
    “Sean, seriously, how are we going to talk about whatever it is you need to talk about in public?”
    “It's called discretion, Ruby. Perhaps tonight you'll learn some,” he whispered into my ear. My skin tingled instantly.
    When we got to the place, I was glad to see it almost empty. We went straight back to a table in the corner that was somewhat isolated from the rest. I ordered beverages as per our agreement and brought them back to our seat. My tea was too hot to drink, so I cupped the mug in my hands and awaited the bad news. Sean took a huge swig of his coffee, completely unfazed by the temperature of it before he started.
    “Why do you always assume the worst when I come around, Ruby?” he asked, sounding amused.
    “I don't,” I countered. “At least I didn't, as in past tense. I used to just think it was odd that you would show up places, then I found it charming. Once I realized exactly what you were...I'd say that's when things started going downhill a bit. Now I know you wouldn't risk being around me unless there was something earthshaking going on.”
    “Downhill a bit? So we haven't hit the valley below just yet then, eh?” he asked before another big swig of coffee. “So tell me, what brought you home so late on a work night?”
    “Peyta and I worked late. I dropped her off. I was just getting back from bringing her home,” I said before realizing what he was doing. I frowned at him when I put it together. He smiled into his mug in response. “Hey! Don't start with me. If you want to know things, don't be acting all sneaky about asking them. If you want to know where I've been, just ask. I have nothing to hide.”
    “You're cute when you're angry.”
    “What do you want, Sean, really?” I asked, flustered and frustrated. “Cooper's going to start to worry soon if I don't get home.”
    His eyes flashed at the mention of Cooper's name.
    “Have plans for the evening, do you two?”
    “Getting annoyed...,” I said, overemphasizing the words as I drummed my fingers on the table.
    “Fine. Text him so he's at ease. Then you and I can spend some uninterrupted time together.”
    “My phone is dead.”
    “Use mine.”
    “I don't know his number.”
    “I do.”
    “And why is that?” Silence. “Why do you freakishly know everything?” I asked, my irritation growing.
    “Because he gave it to me.”
    Well played, Ruby.
    “Oh,” I said sheepishly. “Okay.”
    I took his phone and sent Cooper a text explaining where I was and that everything was fine; I'd be home soon.
    “Everything settled?” he asked over the rim of his cup. There was something oddly sexual about the way he drank coffee. I took immediate interest in the picture on the wall beside him.
    “Yep.”
    “Good,” he replied, soaking in his victory. “So tell me what you've been up to lately.”
    “Why don't you just ask Cooper since you're such