Chapter 18 · Cousin

"Get her off the swing. Now." The voice came from behind me, flat and used to being obeyed, and my hand was already closing around Maya's wrist before I turned around.

A man in a charcoal suit stood at the edge of the sandbox like the mulch might ruin his shoes. Late thirties. Same jaw as Cade, same cold set to the mouth, but none of the warmth Cade hides behind it when he's not trying to win something.

"Excuse me?" I said.

"Julian Vane." He didn't offer a hand. "Cade's cousin. You must be the nothing girl."

Maya's fingers tightened in mine. She's four. She doesn't know what that phrase means, but she knows the tone, the one adults use right before they ruin an afternoon.

"Maya, baby, go get your shoe by the bench." I kept my voice light. She went, dragging her feet, glancing back twice.

"Cute kid," Julian said. "Cade's, obviously. Board's going to love that photo. Fund manager's secret daughter, playing in a public park, no security detail. Very relatable. Very useful."

"You following us?"

"I don't need to follow anyone.