Page 58 of Shadow

Young? Asher was thirty-two. Hardly young. But to seventy-something Destiny, maybe everyone looked young.

“He is capable,” Daphne said.

“Do you trust him?”

Daphne frowned. “Of course.”

Destiny studied her with sharp eyes that missed nothing. “Fifteen years in high society teaches you to read people. Your husband makes you nervous.”

“He’s not actually my husband.”

“I know that. But you’re nervous around him anyway.” Destiny turned back to the television.

Oh. She was? Maybe.

Daphne moved to check on Roger. Found him in the second bedroom, lying on the bed, hand on his side, scowling at his phone—the burner phone she’d given him with exactly three contacts programmed in.

“This phone is terrible,” he said without looking up.

“This phone is secure.”

“I can’t access anything. No apps. No internet. Nothing.”

“That’s the point. Draven Frost is looking for you. Every digital footprint is a trail leading straight to this house.”

“I’m bored.”

“You’re alive. Pick one.”

Roger’s scowl deepened, but he didn’t argue. Just turned back to the useless phone with nothing to do.

Daphne left him there and climbed the stairs to the bonus room. The pullout sofa was still folded up. Two duffel bags—hers and Asher’s—sat on opposite ends. She’d need to make the bed later. Need to figure out sleeping arrangements that maintained some semblance of boundaries.

Twenty-seven days of sharing this space with a man who either was exactly what he claimed or was the best liar she’d ever met.

She moved to the window. The distant peaks caught the last light. The streetlights had come on, houses warm with interior lights.

A normal community.

Except nothing about this was normal, was it?

Her phone buzzed. Text from Asher.

Asher

Five minutes out. Got extra supplies.

Something in her chest loosened. He was fine. No incident. No syndicate surveillance. No problems.

Just pizza and supplies.

And there was that feeling again. That stupid domestic feeling, like waiting for someone to come home meant something.

Stop it.

Daphne went back downstairs and did another security check. Cameras functioning. Sensors armed. Perimeter clear. Everything exactly as it should be.

The garage door opened.