“No, he’s a Deuce. Someone who has no emotional ties to the family, other than previous arrests. He’ll do his job in a cold and efficient way without letting the past ramp up his emotions.” He hoped.
“You’re saying my emotions will make me reckless?”
“I know how you can get when it comes to the Fringers.”
She made a sniffing sound. “But her death by Deuce is a waste of Dragon power.”
He pressed one of the red tacks in more fully. “Don’t get greedy. Red Lust already breathes down your neck.”
“Ridiculous.”
He’d seen that edge of insanity simmering in her eyes ever since they’d taken on this mission. “We’re so close, darling. Do you want to lose everything by going Red and being executed? I can’t help you once our officials have you in custody. They have no consideration for personal relationships. In fact, if they find out I am your lover, I will be locked out of the proceedings completely.” And reprimanded for not reporting the relationship.
Her silence reeked of fear. Her fear of death drove her. She had witnessed her sister being murdered when she was very young and later, she’d been orphaned. He had taken her in, protecting her from those who had killed her parents. He understood her need for security all too well, her need to gain power. No doubt, it had driven her to seduce him, despite his protests about their age difference.
“There’s a reason we have a plan. Stick to it. Speaking of…” He pulled a yellow pin from the map and replaced it with a red one. “Go ahead and take out the next target. But I’m going to make one small adjustment that should really get things moving.”
6
Now that it was early evening, Ernie’s was much busier. Vehicles crammed the lot, mostly trucks sprayed in mud and bits of grass. Violet’s stomach tightened. She took a deep breath, grabbed the package of alligator meat, and got out. No sign of any of her family’s vehicles. They were probably lying low, plotting.
A hand clamped over her arm, and she screamed. Her Dragon vibrated through her as she spun around, ready to whack her assailant with the package.
Kade met her motion with his upturned palm. “Whoa.”
“Is that what they teach you in the Guard, to sneak up on people and grab them?”
“Yeah, pretty much.”
He wasn’t wearing the standard Vega clothing, dressed instead in blue jeans and a dark blue button-down shirt with long sleeves. And he didn’t look the least bit apologetic.
She hmphed. “Don’t touch me again, or I’ll unleash my Dragon on you.” Not that it had worked out so well last time. Wrestling in the mud with him—naked!—had been quite humiliating. And the aftermath…best not to go there. “What are you doing here? How’d you find me?”
“I was coming back and saw you pull in.”
He’d come back. It hit her then, which hopefully meant the Guard was now going to cooperate.
“What did your boss say?” she asked.
The fog in his eyes darkened, like swirling smoke. “I’m here in an unofficial capacity.”
She nodded. “So, the Guard is willing to let war erupt here. Nice.” She let her gaze draw down his unofficial self. “And you’re here for…?”
She wasn’t sure how she felt about him being here. Without the power of the Guard, what could he do? Part of her did appreciate his presence, but she was ignoring it.
“I want to get to the bottom of this.” He nodded to the building. “You here for a drink?”
“Gods, no. The only time I come here is to help carry out one of my drunk family members. Or for information. You…can’t go in there,” she finished as he headed toward the entrance.
“Because I’m Deuce?” He kept walking, forcing her to catch up to him.
“And an outsider.”
He linked his arm with hers. “But I have connections.” His smile almost made her forget what a bad idea this was.
She pulled him to a stop, untangling her arm from his. “If they recognize you as a Vega, there will be even more trouble. You’re way outnumbered in there, and even as Dragon, I won’t be able to protect you.”
His smile grew even warmer, and he rubbed the back of his knuckles down her cheek. “You going to protect me, my fierce Dragon babe?”
