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“Oh, yeah.” Lainey’s smile was smug. “But I’m immune to compulsion. I’m good at faking it, though.”
Zoe shook her head, then her eyes widened. She looked a little sick.
“She’s with Slayers, Inc., isn’t she?” she asked her mother. “He was right. Youareworking with them.”
“Whowas right?” Philippe asked.
Zoe set her mouth stubbornly.
I looked from Philippe to Victorine. Neither seemed surprised at Zoe’s statement. They’d all but admitted that Father’s suspicions had been correct. Victorine Tremblay had formed an alliance with Slayers, Inc. to take out me and my brothers.
Now I just had to get Zoe and myself out of here in one piece so I could let him know.
Étan had returned to the salon and taken a stance next to Victorine, making it clear whose side he was on. “Rafael Kral,” he spat out like I was Public Enemy No. 1. “She left Montreal with him.”
“You’re wrong,” Zoe said. “I haven’t seen him in two years.”
“Zoe,” Philippe said softly. “I have a fondness for you. But if you lie to me, I will be very unhappy.”
A tremor went over her.
Étan crouched down and stared into her face. Trying to intimidate her with his larger body.
Zoe lifted her chin and stared back.
Pride surged up in me. That was my vampire princess.
That’s it.Don’t let them push you around.
“Thepetit salopardis here,” said Étan. “We know he’s got a gift for glamouring. Man’s a fucking chameleon. He pretended to be Jean-Michel so you could sneak him in here.”
Zoe’s mouth flattened. “If you’re so smart, then tell me why I’d bring Rafe Kral to Paris. Why not just run off to New York with him?”
“Because his brother was here,” Victorine said.
Victorine had admitted it. And they had to suspect I was listening.
I gripped my switchblade. I had no chance of escape. Better to leave the shadows before I was completely drained of energy. But should I show myself as Rafe Kral or someone else?
“Enough prevarication,” Victorine said. “We have intel that you were on your way to Paris with Rafael.”
Zoe balled her hands in her lap. “Who told you that?”
“Answer me.” Victorine crossed her arms over her skinny chest. “Is he with you or not? I want the truth.”
She stared up at her mother. “I feel like I don’t know you at all. Any of you.” She looked around the room and shook her head.
Philippe expelled a breath. “Zoe,” he warned.
“I saw the cell.” Her gaze accused him. “The one where you kept Zaquiel Kral. Does your primus know about that?”
What the fuck, Zoe?I grit my teeth.The more she talked, the worse she made things for herself. She must know that.
“Now how would you know it was Zaquiel Kral’s cell?” Philippe asked.
Zoe went still as a hunted animal. “I sneaked into the lower level.”
“Then you know he isn’t here.”
