“He didn’t tell you what happened here?”
Dread fills me. “What happened?”
“Five years ago, the prior owner of the castle—”
“Kevin.”
“Yes. Kevin, and Kayden’s fiancée, Elizabeth, who was living here, were both slaughtered. Kayden was conveniently gone.”
I am gutted by the news, understanding Kayden better now than ever, and I’m also angered on his behalf, lashing out in response. “Convenient? Are you accusing him of actually hurting the people he loved?”
“People die when he’s around. That is a fact. Two years ago—”
“I know what happened two years ago. You act like he was the cause.”
“The Underground. Do you know them?”
“He told me about them.”
“Tell me what you know.”
“They find things for people for a price.”
“And do you think what they do is legal?”
I shrug. “He did work for the police.”
“Kayden is the kingpin of a massive, dangerous organization. He makes the decisions. He leads them to hell, and if you think he doesn’t do what he has to do to keep his slate clean, you’re going to end up dead like the rest of them. I’m trying to protect you.” He softens his voice. “Please listen to me, Eleana. I am truly trying to protect you.”
“No, you’re trying to turn me against him.” I stand. “I think you need to leave.”
“Yes. You need to leave,” Kayden says.
At the sound of Kayden’s voice Gallo grimaces, and I’m relieved this meeting is over. Gallo turns and Kayden’s stare is pure contempt. Gallo doesn’t cower. “I am helping Eleana find her way back to her life—not yours.”
“Leave, Gallo.”
Gallo’s lips twist sardonically. “I’m not quite done here.”
“Leave,” Kayden bites out. “Now.”
Gallo glances at me. “How should I reach you to give you the fingerprint results?”
“Kayden,” I say, making it quite clear which side of the line drawn between these two I stand on. “Call Kayden.”
He smirks. “I’ll just come back by.” He turns and rounds the table to stand face-to-face with Kayden.
“Move along,” Kayden instructs. “You’re on private property and I’m fully within my rights to throw you out. Actually, make my day and give me a reason to toss you out the door myself.”
I hold my breath, aware Gallo would like to push Kayden, and the heavy seconds that follow are eternal. Finally the detective saunters toward the door, pausing with his hand on the knob. “You know where to find me, Eleana,” he states firmly, and leaves.
Adriel moves in behind him, locking the door while Kayden closes the distance between us, his fingers clasping my wrist. Without a word, he begins leading me toward the back exit. I hurry to keep up as we pass Giada; I don’t look at her and neither does Kayden. He’s angry. So very angry, and not just at Gallo. We reach the door and he punches in a code to exit, and it’s barely lifted before he’s ducking under and taking me with him. He doesn’t wait for it to close, leading me several feet, and out of hearing range of Adriel or Giada, before turning me to face him, his hands settling on his hips.
“What part of ‘I don’t want you in the store’ did you not understand?”
My defenses prickle. “You didn’t say not to come to the store. You said you didn’t want me to work here.”
“Semantics.”