She didn’t ask why, merely accepted my statement knowing she had no say in the matter. When she turned away from me, everything within me wanted to keep her from going, to take once again what I didn’t have a right to own.
For once, I was determined to do the right thing.
After she left the room, I made one final call of the night. Sleep wouldn’t come easily.
If at all.
“Niccolo. I have news.”
“You heard about Lazor?”
“Yes, as well as the contract on my life placed by Casimine. I find that interesting.”
Niccolo exhaled, grumbling under his breath. “You have a fascinating way of handling learning you need to watch your back. What the hell are you doing about it?”
“Returning to New York.”
“You’re a danger junkie, brother, but I understand. You’re going to have a mess to clean up when you return. I think I found your leak and it would appear you were also correct about being seen at the hotel. One of the bellmen is Filip’s cousin. You’ll need to learn to be more discreet in your love affairs.”
I chuckled. “Orpheus is the assassin.”
“Whew. Then you are a wanted man.”
“It would appear that way.”
“You should find an alternate location to stay.”
“Yes, I should.”
Niccolo snorted. “Which means you won’t.”
“It’s time to end this war before additional blood is spilled.”
“Even if that means working with the Russians?”
“At this point, I will do what’s necessary to stop a war.”
There was only one way to do that, and it was something I would handle myself.
Upon my return, I would become the pain maker and the revenge I’d enact would become the sweetest peace of all.