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“This is why Marcus didn’t want me snooping around,” Bexley says. “Why he’s told me nothing.”
“We all keep secrets, son. You know that.” James levels Bexley with a strange look.
“What do you mean?” I ask, a trickle of awareness zipping up my spine.
“That’s for Bexley to tell you.”
My stomach dips as I search Bexley’s face for answers.
“Not here,” he says, squeezing my knee under the table. “Later. It feels like we’re still going around in circles. If Quinctus are that worried about Cade, why can’t they just… you know, get rid of him?”
His words made me flinch. Of course, I’m not immune to the whispers of dark deeds that follow Quinctus and the Electi wherever they go. But there’s hearing about it and then knowing it.
“Nothing in this world is that simple, Bexley. Let’s just say the Kingsley name still holds a lot of sway with Q’s associates. If Cade were to just disappear, it would create problems.”
“How do you know all of this?” I ask.
“My business with Q affords me certain knowledge.”
“And what exactly is it you do?”
“Mia,” Bexley warns.
“It’s quite alright.” James smiles. “You’re strong. Inquisitive. You’re going to need that in the coming weeks. I’m what you might call a fixer.”
“A fixer?”
“I make problems disappear. Paper trails, money trails…”
“People trails?” Bexley raises a brow, and James chuckles.
“I leave the more hands-on stuff to others. I’m fortunate; I have one foot in Gravestone business and one foot out.”
“Why did you agree to meet us?”
“Because I’m far enough removed that I can tell you what I know without raising alarm bells. There’s a splinter in Q. Those who believe in walking into the future and embracing new ways. And those who aren’t ready to leave the past behind. Gregory Kingsley dabbled with bringing the past into the future, and it cost him his life.”
James hesitates, waiting as the server brings us a fresh pot of coffee. “Thank you,” he says. She leaves us and he continues
.
“There are those in Q who want to see Cade succeed. To follow in his father’s footsteps. And there are those outside of Q who have a vested interest in Cade’s legacy.”
“Let me guess,” Bexley scoffs. “You can’t tell us who.”
“Cade’s uncle. Lincoln Kingsley. After Gregory… died, he made Quinctus promise to protect Cade. To nurture him and raise him to fulfil his rightful place.”
“Well, they didn’t do a very good fucking job.”
“This is why your presence is so important, Bexley. The Electi needs balance. It needs level headedness.”
“If Q thinks my presence is going to do anything but antagonize Kingsley, then they really don’t know their Electi very well at all. He’s gunning for blood, James. My blood.”
“It won’t get that far.” He lets out a long, steady breath. “Cade is just testing boundaries. But eventually he’ll push too hard, and Q will push back.”
“I don’t like it.” Bexley slips his arm around the back of my shoulder. “I don’t like it at all. This isn’t some… some game. This is our lives.”
“I know. For that, I am sorry.”
