“I don’t need coddling, Kayden. I don’t like calling death good, but sometimes it is. Sometimes monsters have to die.”
“Monsters always have to die, sweetheart. Because if they’re really monsters, they can’t be saved.”
“I know,” I say. “Believe me, I know. And changing the subject: what can I say and not say in front of Marabella?”
“Anything that extends beyond basic hunting, keep to yourself.”
“Enzo wasn’t basic hunting.”
“Enzo made a mistake while hunting,” he reminds me.
“Should we get her and Giada under lock and key until this is over?”
“The last thing we want is Niccolo seeing us act suspiciously when his second dies. I have men watching both of them. Now, I’m changing the subject. Adriel tells me you pressed for Matteo to check the security system.”
“I did. I still don’t think I tore those pages from my journal.”
“We’ll spend tonight going through the security feed together.”
“I’m glad you aren’t discounting my concerns.”
“There is nothing about anything you do, say, or think that invites me to discount any concern you can’t shake.” His cell phone buzzes with a text and he glances at the screen, then me. “Blake and Adriel just pulled into the garage.”
He motions for me to follow and we head out of the kitchen.
“Isn’t this earlier than expected?”
“Apparently, Blake called Adriel for help and needed an early pickup. He was being followed, and he didn’t know the city well enough to ensure he broke free without support.”
“We didn’t even get time to talk about what to discuss with him,” I say as we head down the stairs. “Is his wife with him?”
“She distracted the person following Blake, and stayed behind.”
“Where are we meeting him?”
“Right here in the office,” he says as we reach the foyer. “I don’t want him getting the run of the castle.” He looks at me. “Leave the necklace out of things, and the part where we dispose of our enemies. But to protect Sara, he needs to know that there’s dirty CIA and the mob involved.”
“Dirty CIA?”
“Yes. Someone set you and your father up.” He punches the button on the wall and the door begins to lift.
A minute later, Adriel and Blake are standing in the archway. Today must be “black” day, because they’re both wearing the uniform as well. Blake and Kayden lock stares, and I don’t know what passes between them, but what concludes seems to be some sort of mutual respect, even if it’s temporary. Adriel gives Kayden a nod, and then disappears. Kayden motions Blake into the tower and seals us inside.
“This is an absolutely fucking amazing place,” Blake says as we move into the office.
Kayden simply motions him to the seating area, where Kayden and I sit on the couch.
Blake sits to my left, angling toward us and leaning forward, elbows on his knees. His intense brown eyes look at me. “Are you safe?”
“As safe as I ever am.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means I’m not what I seem.”
“Are you happy?”
“Yes.”