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“Ella already suggested that,” Kayden says. “But are you sure you want your sister with a gun?”

I say, “Yes, you do. Because if she feels in control, maybe she’ll stop acting out of control.” The two men exchange a long look and then nod at the same time. “Okay, then,” I say. “I’ll call her and see if she can do lunch tomorrow. We’ll talk and then go to the range.”

“I’ll go with you,” Kayden says. “I have a few words I want to have with her.”

It’s an encounter I’ve encouraged, and I tell myself his agreement is not about Niccolo and our public outing but Giada, though it’s hard to completely follow that train of thought. Whatever the case, it’s a good thing. “I don’t have my phone, so I’ll call her when I get downstairs.”

Adriel offers me his. “Have at it. The sooner we get her in line, the better, considering Gallo’s pursuit. The less she knows, the less she can tell.”

I accept the phone with Giada’s auto-dial already pulled up. “I’ve seen enough of Gallo to know that he’s going to pursue her harder, when she’s easier to access.”

“And the more we try to keep them apart,” Kayden says, “the more Gallo will want to keep her close.”

“I see,” I say. “So remove the forbidden and it’s no longer interesting to Giada.”

“And no longer useful to Gallo,” Kayden says. “Which is why I’m going to give Giada my Gallo blessing at lunch tomorrow.”

Now his attendance at lunch makes sense, and I press the key to dial her number. “I’m headed to the store no

w,” Giada answers, after two rings.

“It’s me, Giada.”

“Ella?” she says. “Why are you on Adriel’s phone?”

“He and Kayden are installing a floor for my new dance studio, and I borrowed his phone.”

“Dance studio? What dance studio?”

“It’s for my private use here.”

“I didn’t know you danced.”

“I’ll tell you all about it,” I offer. “How about lunch tomorrow? I want to go to the shooting range, and I thought you might want to learn to handle a gun.”

“You know how to shoot?” she asks incredulously.

“Very well, and carrying a gun is empowering.”

“You carry? Can you even legally do that? Never mind. You’re Kayden’s woman; you can do what you want. But hell yes, I want to learn to shoot.”

“Great. How about noon tomorrow? We can meet in the store?”

I chitchat with her for a minute and then end the call. “All set.” I hand Adriel’s phone back to him, finding his expression grim. “What’s wrong?” I ask.

“You’re a better sister to her than I am a brother.”

“Blood trumps all,” I say, hating the heartache beneath those words. “I’m just a cool friend who’s new, and therefore exciting. I’m going to check on Marabella.” And for reasons I can’t explain, I suddenly need to touch Kayden. I reach out and drag my hand down his arm. “I’ll be in the kitchen.”

He catches my hand and kisses it. “Thanks, sweetheart.”

My heart does a little flip-flop at the tenderness in his eyes and voice, and I head for the door. “Yes,” Adriel calls after me. “Thank you. Sweetheart.”

I call over my shoulder, “Thank me by being nice to me.”

“I’m always nice.”

We all laugh, but as I hit the stairs, the words “blood trumps all” hit me hard and I stop dead in my tracks, catching the wall with my hand. What if Kayden and I have a blood feud? What if my family hurt his family, or his hurt mine? What if my dad was a Hunter? What if—


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