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Some of it was news to me, including that Jessa had almost certainly been sent by Slayers, Inc., an organization I’d never even heard of. The same organization that had kidnapped Zaquiel Kral.
My heart hurt for both Zaq and Gabriel when Gabriel explained as an aside to me that his brother had been kidnapped and possibly tortured by the slayers. I’d only met Zaq once, but he had the same charisma as all the Kral men, only in Zaq, it didn’t have that predatory edge. It just drew you in so you couldn’t help but like him.
All this time, Gabriel had been worried about his own brother. No wonder he’d been so suspicious when I’d shown up out of the blue.
Gabriel saved his biggest bombshell for last—that he believed Lieutenant Mraz was the man behind the curtain pulling everyone’s strings.
“I don’t know why or how,” Gabriel admitted. “But it fits. Tomas knows every damn secret we have, and his security clearance lets him access any fucking thing he wants. He can act in your name, and no one in the Syndicate would question it. Not even me.”
Through it all, his father had listened carefully, his expression giving nothing away. Now he shook his head. “I can’t believe it.”
“Then answer me this,” Gabriel said. “How did Redbone know exactly where to find me this morning?”
“I don’t know. But Tomas? We are like brothers.” A muscle ticked in his jaw. “It’s impossible.”
“I know.” Gabriel’s hand moved, like he wanted to give his father comfort. But he checked the movement, brought his arm back to his side. “I didn’t want to believe it myself. But who else could it be?” A look of horror crossed his face. He cursed and whipped out his phone. “And I let him go out to Montauk to question Lougenia.”
“No.” I jumped up. “Oh, hell no.”
Gabriel grimaced at me. “Afraid so.”
But he’d already called Airi. As she answered, I crowded next to him to listen in.
Airi was baffled. “Tomas never showed,” she said. “I was about to send you both a text.”
“If he shows,” Gabriel replied in a hard voice, “take him into custody.”
“Sir?”
“Do it. I don’t care how you keep him there, but he’s not to leave Montauk.” He glanced at his father. “Karoly Kral’s orders.”
“Of course,” said Airi.
Gabriel ended the call. His gaze challenged his father. “Well? Where is he?”
Karoly already had his phone out. When Tomas didn’t answer the call, he sent a text. The seconds ticked past as he stared at the screen, waiting for a response. Then, for the first time since I’d entered the room, his control cracked.
“He’s not responding.” He scrubbed a weary hand over his face. “I don’t know what to think. The Slayers could’ve kidnapped him, too. Or he’s in this up to his neck. Either way, I promise you, I’ll find him. And when I do, Iwillget to the bottom of this.” The weariness turned to a cold fury that made me shiver and press closer to Gabriel.
Gabriel’s arm came around my shoulders. “I’ll give you everything I have, but I’m going to be conducting my own, independent investigation.” His look dared the Primus to object.
Father and son locked gazes. Then Karoly nodded. “As you wish. As for you…” He eyed me not unkindly. “Go home to Maryland. You and your family will be compensated, and you have my promise that you will never be threatened again. I’ll put the word out that you’re under my personal protection.”
I drew myself up to my full height. “We don’t need your money,” I returned, “but I’d be grateful for your protection—for my family.” My chin jutted. “But me? I’m not going anywhere.”
Gabriel squeezed my shoulders. “We’ll go together. Anywhere you want.”
“No,” rapped out his father. “I can’t spare you right now.”
“I’m sorry, sir,” Gabriel said. “But it’s not your decision. I’m taking Mila as my mate, and stepping down as crown prince.”
His father and I regarded him with equally shocked expressions. I had to replay what he’d said in my head before it sank in.
“No,” I said. “You can’t.”
At the same time, Karoly said, “You’d give up everything for her?”
“I can and I will,” his son replied.
