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“Start at the beginning. This isn’t like you,” she says, her voice laced with concern.
I take a deep breath because I know she’s right. I am so not the guy who gets flustered and emotional and...scared. Not usually. But I’m certainly rattled right now.
I take a deep breath and huff it out noisily.
“I don’t even know where to begin...Is Lizzie safe?” I don’t know what makes me ask that, maybe because the threat to my family hasn’t gone away, and now my family extends beyond my grandfather and me to include Raven, Phoenix and the guys. But also Lizzie too, because she’s Raven’s sister and Nix’s Aunt whether she chooses to accept the role or not. Raven would never forgive me if something happened to Lizzie.
“She’s—” Amelie hesitates.
“What? Tell me,” I growl.
“We can’t find them at the moment.”
“What?! What the hell do you mean you can’t find them?”
“Don’t freak out—”
“Has saying that ever worked?” I snap.
“But,” she carries on like I never even spoke, “they disappeared right after you ‘discovered’ Lizzie at the hospital. They’ve completely vanished and they’re surprisingly good because I’ve thrown all my best resources at finding them and we can’t.”
“Fuck!”
“Baxter, what’s wrong? Why does it matter?”
“I’m going to have to kill her, Amelie. And I’m going to need protection for it.”
“Who? Lizzie? Why?”
“No. Cordelia.”
“What? You’re not making any sense. What’s that got to do with Lizzie?”
“She’s family!” I pinch the bridge of my nose in a futile attempt to stave off the imminent headache. “My grandfather just messaged me a link to a secure server where he told me that despite being beaten in court, Cordelia still plans to come after Raven. And not just to take Phoenix away, but to eradicate the Deighton line. Which means she’ll be going after Lizzie as well and I need to know where she is so that I can protect her too.”
“What the hell is going on?” Amelie gasps.
“I don’t know. Do you think it’s connected, their disappearance and whatever Cordelia is up to? Do you think she has them already?”
“I don’t know, but if she’s as much of a threat as you and your grandfather seem to think, she needs to be neutralised.”
“That’s why I called.”
“You’re the best one for the job.”
“I know. But she’s high profile. We can’t sweep this one under the carpet.”
“That’s the favour. You need protection when it comes to light,” she says with understanding.
“Exactly. Can you deliver?”
“I can and I will…”
“Why do I sense a ‘but’?”
“Because it’s going to cost you. And I mean for real this time. I can’t keep saying ‘it’ll cost’ and not call in all the favours you owe. There’s some strange things happening here and I’m going to need backup.”
“Isn’t that what your little harem is for?”
