Page 445 of Black Reign

“They have phones.”

“They want to see you.”

“They have already seen me.”

“They want to see your wife.”

“That is exactly the concern.”

She laughs.

Then kisses my cheek.

And because marriage has apparently made me weak, six days later we're in Newport.

Leo Holt's house looks like Christmas attacked an eighteenth-century European fortress and won.

Stone.

Marble.

Massive windows overlooking black Atlantic water.

Enough garland to strangle a small army.

Gold ribbon winding around staircases.

Candles everywhere.

Two Christmas trees.

I have no idea why anyone requires two.

There is mistletoe in locations I strongly suspect Drew personally selected.

And tinsel.

So much fucking tinsel.

I stop inside the foyer.

Sabine stands beside me wearing a dark green dress and the expression of a woman trying not to laugh.

“This is obscene.”

“Thank you.”

“You didn't decorate.”

“No.”

“Then I can say it.”

“Correct.”

From somewhere inside the house, Drew yells, “BLACKWELL'S BRIDE HAS ARRIVED.”

I close my eyes.