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When Xander relaxed and made it clear he’d keep his ass with us, Simon released him and spoke in a hushed voice. “For some reason, Nyx has involved people outside our circle in Nerine’s care. My wife always has a reason for everything. Devani King is one of the most dangerous women in the world, and if she is willing to take Nerine on as a pupil, she is vested in her. So don’t look a gift horse in the mouth.”
“Meaning?” I asked, matching my tone to Simon’s.
“First, answer this question. Why are you doing all of this? What is it you want after we dethrone the imposter? Are one of you planning to take the helm?”
My temper flared. “You know damn well that’s not the plan.”
“Then clarify it. The two of you are too invested in Nerine for it to be just about putting the true heir in the seat.”
I kept quiet and stared at Nerine as she trekked all over the mat with Devani, countering and then attacking with various offensive moves. She was no match for the assassin but had some basic skills down to keep her from being an easy target.
“Do you think I haven’t picked up on the truth by not verbalizing it?” Simon pressed. “All the clues say the two of you had something with her. And for all of your sakes, no one better catch wind of it.”
“Nothing is going on. We watch out for her best interests. She will take the helm.” Xander’s words may have come out quiet and almost low enough to be a whisper, but the way he held Simon’s gaze as he spoke, he was daring Simon to challenge his statement.
“She can’t take anything if those around the table see her as weak. It doesn’t matter if you are her muscle. Everyone would believe the two of you as the true heads behind the face.”
“Is that what all of this is about? You went behind our backs to train her to give her credibility?”
“That was the original intent.” Kas spoke this time. “However, it looks as if Nyx went behind all of our backs and brought in someone better suited to accomplish this goal.”
That’s when I noticed Simon and Nyx were holding each other’s gazes as if they were amid an unsaid conversation.
Then I caught Xander staring at me, and he lifted a brow and mouthed, “Let’s get out of here. We need to have a chat.”
I nodded but turned to watch the women sparring for a few moments more. Then as Nerine reset for another round, Devani King lifted her focus up to where we stood and cocked a brow.
It looked as if the only one unaware of our presence was our Angel.
She was in good hands. And these women could give her everything we couldn’t—a connection, friendship, belonging.
I thought about everything I knew about Nyx. She’d grown up with a father and four brothers who treated her as an equal, and according to rumors, she’d learned her skills with weapons from her eldest brother, Tyler.
Then there was Devani King. Outside of the fucked-up assassin thing, which I’d yet to figure out the origin story behind, she ran a cutthroat billion-dollar diamond and precious gem conglomerate. If there was anyone who knew how to wheel and deal in a world dominated by misogynism, she did.
Releasing a deep breath, I turned and walked out of the sliding glass door, not caring if anyone followed. But of course, Xander had, and to my surprise, Simon and Kas trailed behind him.
We remained quiet until we returned to the kitchen, then Simon said, “Gentlemen, as of this moment, our business dealings have concluded. Our original plan will go forward. You keep the Angelos women alive and their organization operational. I will do my part to keep others from encroaching on their interests.”
“And we will continue to play interference while the Angelos Angel gains her wings back using the Assassin Squad,” Xander stated.
“Oh, that was a very astute guess on the name we call ourselves,” Devani cooed as she strolled through the hallway leading from the solarium with Nyx and Nerine with her.
The women wore their workout gear and hadn’t changed into their day clothing, making it clear that all were aware of our imposing on their training session.
Simon moved directly toward Nyx, stopping right in front of her. “Goddess, we will discuss this.”
“I’m sure we will.” She lifted a brow and then set a hand on his chest. “How was Greece?”
I shifted my attention to Nerine, who stood behind Nyx. Her focus teetered between Xander and me. The intensity in her dark blue gaze as she clutched an ornate box under her arm completely different from the one with the weapons from her training session. The way she held it made me wonder what was inside.
The apprehension and uncertainty radiating from her pulled at something in me and made me want to shake her and demand how she could still doubt us.
We’d settle this on our way back to the compound.
“Are you ready to head home?” I asked her.
She wiped the sweat from her brow and licked her lips. “Yes.”
