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Raini felt her brows draw together. “What?”
“Have a private chat. They never include me, and I never quite trust that they’re not plotting world domination.” Seeing that Knox’s entity had subsided, Harper asked, “What were your and Asher’s demons talking about?”
“The weather,” Knox replied with all the seriousness of a courtroom judge.
Harper turned to Raini, her face hard. “They never tell me what they’re chatting about. Ever.”
“Probably because it winds you up so much,” said Raini.
“Probably,” agreed the sphinx.
At that moment, Jolene, Ciaran, Khloë, and Jolene’s two sentinels appeared in the center of the room. The female Prime frowned at Keenan. “Why are you lying on the floor? You’re supposed to be guarding my grandson, not lazing around like you’re on a beach.”
Keenan jumped to his feet. “Like I told Knox, I fell. It was Asher’s fault.”
“Now you’re going to blame an innocent child for your failings?”
Keenan snorted. “There is nothing innocent about him; he lives to drive people insane. Kind of like you.” He looked at his mate, and his face softened. “And you, for that matter. What brings you here anyway?”
“Big news,” replied Khloë.
Studying her Prime’s expression, Raini said, “I can’t tell whether this is going to be good news or bad news.” Either way, she wanted to hear it.
“That all depends on what Harmony has to say,” Jolene told her.
“My source came through,” Khloë explained. “It turns out that Harmony’s surname isn’t Wells, it’s Jenkins. And unlike what she claimed, she’s a waitress, not a receptionist. She lives in an apartment local to the diner where she works, and she shares said apartment with another waitress.”
“We plan to go question Harmony now,” Jolene added. “Are you interested in joining us, Raini?”
Blinking, Raini straightened in her seat. “You’re inviting me to come along?”
“You’ve had a bitch of a time lately,” said Jolene. “In your shoes, I wouldn’t be feeling too good about the fact that so much is out of my hands. I’d want some part in getting answers and seeking justice.” If you were helpless, it would be another matter, she telepathically added. But you can take care of yourself just fine, if need be.
Raini smiled and stood. “Thanks, Jolene. I appreciate it.”
“Knox and I could—” Harper cut off as none other than Maddox materialized a few feet away.
Raini’s hormones began to fan themselves like crazy. They were so easy for him it was almost laughable.
Jolene gave him a courteous smile. “Ah, Maddox. Always a pleasure. You’ve caught us at a bad time. I’m afraid there’s somewhere Raini and I need to be.”
Maddox looked from her to Raini. “And where is that?”
“I would say this is lair business,” began Jolene, “but you are her anchor, so I will tell you. We know where Dwain’s supposed ‘mate’ lives. Whether she is there or not is something we don’t yet know. If not, we’ll head to the diner where she works and see if we can catch her there.”
“I’m coming with you,” Maddox declared, his tone non-negotiable.
Jolene sighed. “Maddox—”
“You’re Raini’s Prime; it’s your right to settle these matters,” he allowed. “You would look weak to others if you weren’t seen to deal with your own issues—I appreciate that. But no one would be surprised to hear that you and I handled this together, given that I’m Raini’s anchor. Also, Harmony may not be so cooperative. That’s where I can step in.”
“You can pull the information from her mind, you mean,” said Jolene.
He shrugged. “If necessary, yes.”
“So can Knox,” Harper cut in.
Maddox slid his gaze to the sphinx. “But he isn’t Raini’s anchor, he’s yours.” He looked at Knox. “If this was Harper, you would demand to be part of this.”
Knox inclined his head. “I would. Without a doubt.”
“I don’t care who comes along so long as I’m one of them,” said Raini.
Khloë raised a hand. “I care. Grams told me I can’t come because I’m not part of her lair anymore. I don’t see what that has to do with anything.”
“Yes, you do.” Jolene narrowed her eyes on Maddox. “Would you stay behind if I refused to work with you on this?”
He met her gaze steadily. “You already know the answer to that question.”
Jolene threw an exasperated sigh at Raini. “You just had to have an anchor who’s as stubborn as I am, didn’t you?”
Raini felt her mouth curve. “Decades of having you as a Prime has been helpful when it comes to dealing with him.”
“Yes, I can imagine you manage to get your way far too often all while looking the epitome of cooperative. You’ve been doing it with me since you were a child.”
“She does pull that shit with me,” said Maddox.
Raini lifted her shoulders. “Whatever works, right?”
“Come on, let’s talk with Harmony.” Jolene looked at Harper, her expression placatory. “If we require backup of any kind, I will contact you.”
