“She suggests the ‘cognitive recalibration’ dissuaded him.”
“The what?”
“I assume she refers to the blow to his head.”
Cally had a missed call from Eve and a dozen text messages, mostly gushing about the size of Gabe’s LP collection. She smiled ruefully and climbed back into bed, then typed a quick reply.
“Gabe is not awake yet,” Antoine continued, “but Belle is. She has invited us to her house to plan our next move.”
“What is our next move?”
He carefully set down his phone, then slid an arm around her and drew her close. “In truth, I am torn,ma chérie.Half of me wishes to see Roberto dead, whatever the cost. The other half… I am loath to risk you.” He made a sound of discontent. “No, that is not true. It is not half and half. I do want Roberto dead, but Iwill notendanger you.”
Cally tensed beneath his arm, pressing her lips together. She was the weak link, holding him back.
But damn it, didn’t she have power now? She had the books and laptop. She’d proven Eve’s ‘fragment’ theory worked. All she needed was the right combination. There must besomethingthat could help.
“I told you we would fight him together.”
“And I told you he is too dangerous.”
She pulled away so that she could see his face. “We’re not having this argument again.Iwant him dead.Youwant him dead. Together, we are strong enough.”
He stilled, face expressionless, eyes searching hers. “I… am not sure.”
“I am.”
“Of that, I have no doubt.” He smiled gently. “I know that if we leave, if we run, then his continued existence will plague both of us—me more than you, perhaps. It will be a taint that will sour whatever we do, and that…” He paused and took a breath. “I cannot so easily dismiss the vengeance I have longed for these past weeks.”
“I’m not asking you to.”
“Yes, I know. And that is, perhaps, what concerns me most of all.” He smiled, though it lacked humor. “I fear your impulsiveness is rubbing off on me.”
“Good.”
He shook his head. “This could all end in disaster, for both of us. By Belle’s estimate, Roberto is about a third again as strong as I am. I cannot win against him.”
She pushed herself up, padding across to the couch, leaning over it to retrieve her bag. “I need time to find a spell. Eve and I have done most of the work. Let me see what I can do.”
“Pardon, did you say something?”
She turned back to him in confusion.
He spread his hands in mock innocence. “I didn’t hear a word after you bent over the sofa.”
Heat warmed her cheeks, then she narrowed her eyes. “Don’t dismiss this, Antoine. Icando magic.”
“My apologies, I did not intend it like that. I have faith in you.” He rose from the bed and walked to the wardrobe, taking out a black silk robe for her. It was far too big, but it smelled faintly of him, and she pulled it on happily. He dressed in jeans and a T-shirt, both in black, then lifted one of his long retro leather coats from its hanger.
“Are you going somewhere?”
“Breakfast. There is a small café nearby. Coffee and a bagel? Something while you work?”
Her stomach rumbled at the thought of food. “But it’s daytime. Will you not burn?”
“It’s raining and overcast. I will be fine for a short trip.”
Her eyebrows rose. “How could you possibly know that?”
