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“And in contact,” Gwen said with a nod. “They’ve got a wagon waiting for transport. Any contact from Levi?”
I shook my head, but knew in my gut he would come. He may have already been close.
“Clive?” I asked Gwen.
“Released at dusk into the custody of the AAM. According to witnesses, he remains very, very angry at you and had a very heated discussion with Ms. Heart outside the building. And I may have accidentally told him you were having a kind of victory party tonight.”
“Excellent thinking,” I said with a smile. The angrier he was, the more mistakes he’d make.
“And since they both know about it and could be nearby,” Gwen said, “let’s get inside.”
We walked down the path to the front of the House, were greeted in the foyer by Luc and Lindsey, who’d returned from New York. He looked every bit the cowboy, from the jeans and boots—an exception to the Cadogan black dress code—to the tousled dark brown hair.
I made the introductions.
“Detective,” Luc said, stepping forward with a handshake. “Good to meet you.”
“Same here,” she said and gave Lindsey a nod.
“We’re going to take you downstairs into the guards’ room. You’ll have full access to the security feeds down there. Kelly, our guard captain, can tie you in to your unit comms.”
“Good enough,” Gwen said and glanced back at us. “Good luck.”
“And to you.”
“Be careful,” Theo said, squeezing my hand before he and Petra followed them.
I blew out a breath, tried to calm my nerves. I knew I’d be fine once things were underway. It was the waiting that was hardest. The anticipation of what was to come.
“She won’t hurt you,” Connor said, and I looked back at him, nodded.
“I know. But I don’t know her. I don’t know what she’ll say, or what she’ll want, or what she’ll demand of me. That’s what makes me nervous.”
“Alaska,” Connor said, wrapping me in his arms. “If all else fails, we’ll go to Alaska. They’ll never find us there.”
I snorted. “They’ll never findmethere. I’m an urban girl, andthat’s as sub-suburban as you can get. I want a coffeehouse on every corner.”
He humphed, kissed me.
“Be smart. Be good. I’ll be here, whatever the outcome.”
“Same,” I said, and brushed my fingers against his. It was time to endthis.
TWENTY-THREE
Nicole Heart waited in my father’s office. My father made the introductions, but I hardly heard a word he said.
Then he left us alone. We stood in the middle of his office, facing each other.
She was beautiful. She was a tall woman, with dark skin and a curvy figure. Her hair was closely cropped, emphasizing her dark eyes and thick lashes, her round cheekbones, generous mouth. She wore an ivory suit today in a fabric that skimmed her curves. And the power she’d been afforded skimmed all of her and put a faint tingle in the air.
“We haven’t met,” she said, her words soft, her tone lightly accented. “But I know of your work.”
“Same,” I said.
“Why do you think I’m here, Ms. Sullivan?”
“Because you believe I’ve brokenCanonby turning a human despite her imminent death.”
