AllFreeNovel
Share Us
King rubbed his jaw. “I’m surprised you didn’t ask for protection for your brother.”
“My brother can take care of himself,” she said, tone tart, sharp, and confident.
The older man actually chuckled. “I do like you. Smart-mouthed, sassy, and full of piss and vinegar.”
“Also taken,” Liam informed him.
King shook his head. “Don’t remind me. Now—I will find the uncle. I will get you the information. What does that get me?”
“An opportunity to negotiate my continued goodwill and service.” Liam was too swift to answer that.
“Maybe,” Starling countered, and she put her hand over Liam’s.
“Not giving an inch, are you?” King seemed more puzzled now than just fascinated.
“No.” Her flat tone pulled a smile from me. My mirror as well, even though his vanished nearly as soon as it had formed.
“Very well.” Tension threaded his amusement. He was indulging them, not finding it nearly as funny anymore. We weren’t backing down. The rules had changed. “I will find your uncle and information on how to reach him. Then we will talk again, you and I,” he said to her before he glanced at Liam. “As for you, Bishop…don’t test me again.”
“Then don’t fuck this up,” Liam said, as he rose smoothly and pushed back the chair. He held out a hand to Starling. I was on my feet a split-second before she was. King rose as well. Only his manner was more observational than aggressive.
“My sympathies for your loss,” King said. “When you have the person or persons responsible… let me know. Or if you require assistance. As I said, an attack on you is an attack on me.”
That carried an echo of a warning. I waited for Liam to lead Starling from the table before I moved to follow them.
“Rome?” the man said, and I spared him a fleeting stare. “Look after them.”
I snorted. I had no other response for him. We were on the highway ten minutes later, and Liam had Kellan on the phone.
“We didn’t get close enough,” he said, aggravation in his tone. “The security there was impressive.”
“I have it,” I said before Liam could respond. I already had a sketchbook open and a pencil going. It would take me some time, but I’d memorized Julius King’s face.
“We’re right behind you,” Kellan said, and Liam nodded before ending the call.
“Hellspawn…” He dragged in a deep breath, and I peeked up from my sketch.
“Do I owe you an apology?” The question in her voice demanded we reassure her.
“No,” my mirror said, his grumpy tone more from concern and fear than anger. “But next time, warn a guy if you’re going to wave a red flag at a bull.”
“I didn’t like how he spoke to you,” she answered, and I went back to my sketch. No, I didn’t like how he spoke to Liam either. My other half just grunted.
But he didn’t argue.
“And I wanted to see what he would do…” She sighed. “I don’t know why he’s so interested in me one minute, and so annoyed the next.”
“You have talent, Hellspawn,” Liam said, amusement curving around the words. “You could test a saint.”
“Good thing you aren’t one, then.”
I chuckled, and a moment later Liam joined me.
Yes, the eyes were shaping up nicely. Hopefully, I’d have a mostly finished sketch by the time we got back.
Julius King wasn’t going to be a mystery for us anymore.
Or a threat to Milo, Liam,orStarling.
