Savage sets own his beer. “My boy Ed is with Jacob and Dexter on a plane to New York, and out of Deleon’s reach.”
“I almost forgot Dexter was involved,” I say, thinking of all the manpower involved in fighting this war with Waters.
“After Deleon missed his first targets,” Blake adds, “moving Ed feels like a good strategy. If Waters is desperate to end the trial, going after Ed seems like his next move.”
“Or the judge,” I say. “I can’t believe I haven’t thought of the judge, though he’d be easier to replace than Ed.”
“Not at the holiday on this high-profile a case,” Blake argues. “We can’t offer the judge protection. It’s a conflict of interest, considering he’s supposed to be neutral and we’re on the side of the prosecution. I did connect him with someone I trust. And the DA did talk to him and stress the importance of seeing the trial through.”
“I’d hoped that we could make that easier by flipping Deleon,” I say.
Adrian snorts and tips back his beer before he says, “I told you, that was never going to happen. The only good news is he’s hurt. He’s not going to be the one coming after anyone for a while.”
“But he’ll send someone else,” Blake says. “Who will that be?”
“I can make a list of the top five options,” Adrian says, “but the Devils are broad and deep. Waters wants us dead. That means he put a price on our heads. His followers will come from all over to serve Waters via Deleon.”
I don’t allow myself to think about just how terrifying that concept is. I focus on the case, on the witnesses, on making every sacrifice count. “Please tell me my witnesses are safe,” I say.
“They are,” Blake assures me. “And we’ve made sure they feel safe, too. No one else in this group of witnesses is going to back out on you. But that only matters if you and Adrian make it to the trial alive.”
I read exactly where this is headed and I rotate to face Adrian. “Even if Blake tells me to go to New York, too, it does not mean I’m going. I get why Ed needed to leave. He’s dead, we’re dead, but if I die, he can take over. I need to work the case.”
“You can,” Adrian insists. “Do it remotely.”
“I need to meet with the judge and if we manage to capture one of Waters’ people, I need to be here to interview that person.”
“We can have you back here in a few hours,” he argues.
“The first few hours are critical in an interrogation,” I counter.
“That’s why they have law enforcement,” he snaps back.
“Who might be dirty,” I argue. “Come on, Adrian. You of all people know how deep the corruption with Waters runs.”
He glowers, hands settling on his hips. “You’re the most stubborn woman I have ever known.”
“And you, Adrian Mack, are the most hardheaded man I’ve ever known. This isn’t about your personal baggage.”
“And yet, it is, Pri, in more fucking ways than you know.”
“That’s because you won’t tell me.”
“She’s right on that,” Adam agrees.
“Yep,” Savage chimes in.
“They sound married,” Lucifer says. “Are they getting married?”
Married?
My God, what is he saying and why is he saying it now?
My cheeks heat and Adrian rotates away from me to face them. “Are you trying to convince her to stay or go, assholes?”
“She should go,” Adam says, eyeing me. “You should go. If you’re dead, it’s over. Dead is pretty much the end.”
“I need to meet with the judge,” I repeat.
“You and the judge need to keep a distance,” Adrian snaps. “Teleconference with him.”
“If we leave,” I say, glancing over at him, my eyes burning, no doubt, “Deleon goes after someone else.”
“You’re right,” Adrian says, facing me again. “Which is why I already decided that I’ll stay. Adam will take you to New York City.”
My eyes go wide. “So, you’re passing me off so you can carry out your death wish alone?” I don’t wait for a reply. “No,” I say. “No. I’m not leaving. I intend to take Waters down and I can’t do that by hiding.”
Blake stands up. “I think you both need a shower and some rest. We can talk this out later tonight.”
“Yep,” Savage says again. “You two are stinky.”
“Lower right bedroom,” Blake says. “And Pri, I set you up a secure phone and MacBook. We also brought over some of your things.”
Adrian scrubs his jaw and settles his hands back on his hips before glancing at me. “He’s right. We’ll fight later. I need a damn shower.”
I nod, but anger tics in my jaw. “Fine. Later, but I’m not giving in.” I glance around the room. “Thank you all. I’m fairly certain I’d be too dead to argue about how to get myself killed if it weren’t for all of you,” I joke.