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“That’s a gamble,” my father said.
“I know. And that leads me to my next option.” I gathered my courage, looked at Connor. “As Alexei suggested: a duel.”
“No,” Connor and my father said simultaneously.
I held up a hand. “At least hear me out before you start with the pronouncements. If we can get the pieces in place, it’s a way to wrap up everything at once. To put Levi behind bars, and deal with Clive.”
I laid it out for them: myCanonhunt, the Rule of Satisfaction, and the likelihood Clive was going to be a problem we had to solve, regardless of what the AAM did.
“And if they hurt you?” Mom asked.
“I have no intention of getting dead,” I said. “I get to pick the weapon, and I’m very good with a katana. I’d rather fight for my life than be forced into seclusion by the AAM. Or worse,” Iadded, willing her to understand the real choice. “You’d do the same thing in my place.”
As if resigned, she sighed, looked at my father. “Thoughts?”
“The Rule of Satisfaction hasn’t been used in a long time. But based on what we know of him, Clive may welcome the opportunity to best you. And rules can be put into place—limitations on the scope of the duel—that would reduce the risk.”
Clive would never agree to limitations, but I didn’t need to voice that here.
“I want the rest of the AAM out of my city.”
We all looked at Gwen, at the ferocity in her eyes. “I’m just getting to know many of you, and you seem to be good, honorable people.” She made a point of looking at me, which I appreciated. “They aren’t. I want Heart’s agreement to move them back to Atlanta as soon as Levi is in custody. We’ll let the attorneys worry about prosecution.”
“We’ll do what we can,” my father said. “I’ll talk to the guards, and we’ll arrange for additional, but unseen, eyes and ears on the grounds. Nicole will arrive shortly after dusk. She plans to speak with Clive and the others before your discussion.”
“Which is at midnight,” I said. “So we should try to get Levi here by one a.m. at the latest.” I looked at Petra. “Think you could mock up something we could send back to him?”
“Oh, I’m sure I could.”
I nodded. “When he takes the bait, which he will, we’ll need everyone ready to grab him. And be prepared—he has unique glamour,” I said, and told them about it. “That’s how he got into the loft. So don’t be surprised if he seems to appear from nowhere.”
“Appreciate the warning,” Gwen said. “We’ll tell any uniforms assigned. There’s danger here,” she added, shifting her gaze to my father. “This plan comes to a peaceful resolution—for you, for Cadogan House, for Hyde Park, for Chicago—only if the vampires all act reasonably. And they haven’t shown much reason or logic so far.”
“We’ll be as ready as we can,” he said.
I looked back at the group. “Any questions?”
“Watch your back before then,” my father said. “Levi’s out there somewhere, and will be especially attentive after you drop your bait.”
“Same goes,” I said. “You’re all friends and family, and you could all be targets. So please be careful.”
“I don’t know about everyone else,” Petra said, “but I’m definitely feeling the love.”
***
“Clever girl,” Connor said, when Lulu was tucked into the town house’s guest room and we sat in front of the fire in the master. “But if you get hurt, you will have hell to pay.”
“From you and Dad both,” I said. “Do you think Petra’s note will work?”
It was an impressive bit of design—a faux newsletter designed to look like a gossip sheet for Chicago socialites—that said Connor and I had been seen around Chicago together and were reportedly going to an “important” party at Cadogan House tomorrow night with several dozen other guests.
“I do. And I think he’s most likely to try for you on the way in or out.”
I nodded. “Dad’s going to leave the gate open, set the lights so it looks like there’s a party outside. Levi will like the shadows, I think. Sneaking in and among the people.” I sighed. “Unless he realizes it’s a ruse, and we lose our chance at him.”
One way or the other, we’d see tomorrow night. Because dawn approached, and sleep beckoned.
I toed off boots and jeans, decided sleeping in my T-shirt was good enough, and climbed onto the sumptuous mattress.
