She smiled up at him. “Trust me?”
His gaze settled on the curve of her lips. Swallowed hard. “You know I do.”
“Then stand aside, Blackwell.” Her hand brushed over his abs as she strode away to face off with Nicola.
Kayla winked at him and followed her friend.
Zeke moved to Phin’s side, needing masculine support for whatever the two friends and, no doubt, Rohan and Cruz had cooked up.
“In order to avoid bloodshed,” Liv said. “I suggest that we allow Kayla to take the sword into her safekeeping.”
“Absolutely not,” Nicola said.
“No way,” Zeke said at the same time.
Liv continued, “Tomorrow, the two of you can produce the documentation necessary to prove ownership.”
“The sword will be quite secure, I assure you.” Kayla crossed her arms in that way goddesses do to impart their impatience. A silver leaf arm cuff glinted in the light, mocking their resistance.
“You’re hardly impartial,” Nicola said.
“Are you questioning my integrity?” The look Kayla leveled on the older woman made the socialite seal her ruby-painted lips. “I know a gentleman who can review your paperwork and verify the artifact’s provenance.”
“Who?” Zeke asked.
“Lan Sardoff. He’s an antiquities dealer out of Charlotte. Extremely reputable and a local expert on ancient weaponry.”
“You can thank me later, bro,” Rohan said in his ear.
Cruz made a grunting noise.
A calculating gleam entered Nicola’s eyes. “I’m familiar with Mr. Sardoff.”
“So am I,” Zeke said, keeping his expression neutral.
“Then you both agree?” Liv asked.
Even without Sardoff’s involvement, their plan was a good one. He had no doubt his ownership would be verified. But the thought of letting Luposout of his hands felt like a shard of ice scraping its way through his veins, inch by inch.
Hugh stepped forward, a fresh drink in hand. “Sounds like a perfectly reasonable solution to our little problem.”
Nicola looked at her husband as if he’d grown a second nose. “Little problem?”
“It’s settled then.” Liv stepped toward Zeke. “Kayla will take good care of it. Her collection is not so large as Nicola’s, but it’s significant and well-protected.”
Zeke forced his hands to unwind before unfastening the scabbard from his waist and handing it to her.
The smile she sent him warmed a path straight to his heart. He disliked disappointing people, especially his family. But with Liv, disappointing her would be like Thor’s hammer flying into his gut.
When Kayla accepted the sword from Liv, Nicola’s shoulders snapped into perfect alignment. “I will see you tomorrow and will expect a full apology for your abuse of my hospitality.” Her green eyes bore into Liv. “Your parents would be so ashamed.”
The consummate professional, Liv’s expression didn’t change, but Zeke knew the socialite’s words hit their mark.
Everyone watched Nicola’s exit, even her husband, and Zeke had a feeling they had all made a serious enemy, no matter the outcome of tomorrow’s verification process.