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“She was adopted by a good family. She has two parents who are god-fearing and raised her well.”
I sigh heavily. “She is close to Serena in age and knows nothing at all about her hard beginning. I set up a trust fund for her that pays all her expenses and keeps her in the manner I expect as a Vieri.”
“So, what’s the problem?” Killian asks and I growl.
“Her identity has been compromised, and she has been offered a job by one of my enemies. A man who wants to remove us from the Dark Lords and will use her to discredit us. He is aware of her past and the lengths I went to deal with the men responsible for her birth. This whole affair could be exposed, and we must stop that from happening.”
“How?” Shade asks, the gleam in his eye telling me he is already relishing the challenge and I say gruffly, “We discover his secrets and use them against him.”
“What is his name?” Killian says darkly, and I love the fire in his eyes as he rises to the challenge.
“Troy Remington.”
“The CEO of Remington industries?”
“Yes.” I sigh and stare at my two grandsons, who have all the eagerness of youth, and say firmly. “Your cousin’s name is Laura Kincaid.”
I picture the woman who is blissfully unaware of her heritage and hope she never discovers her painful beginnings.
“You must protect her at all costs, which means she mustnotfind out who her parents were. She is a good, decent kid who has done well. She knows nothing of our world, and I want it to stay that way. Remove the threat from her life and leave her in blissful ignorance. I am counting on you to eliminate the next threat in our quest quickly and under the radar. That is all I ask.”
I open my desk drawer and pull out two identical folders, sliding one each of their way and I say in a hardened tone, “We will face many threats from The Dark Lords, but they will never seize control of our organization. Troy Remington just made a big mistake. Make certain he regrets it.”
As they seize the folders, I watch the spark in their eyes ignite and know this is in safe hands. I almost pity Troy Remington because when a Vieri has you in his sights, there will be no escaping your fate.
EPILOGUE
LAURA
The town is busy, busier than normal, and I’m resorted to pushing my way through the sea of bodies in the Brew House. The aroma of coffee and warm pastries hits me, and I take a deep breath to savor the moment. I much prefer places like this to bars and clubs. There’s a coziness here that speaks to my soul.
I’ve never been into late nights out, resulting in drunken stupors. I prefer warm, cozy evenings in front of a movie with a warm cookie and a mug of coffee by my side. My friends say I’m boring. They are probably right.
It was the same at school. I was the geek. The student most likely to succeed or the one expected to wind up married at twenty-one, living a suburban life. Both suit me just fine because I like everything orderly and its place, the way life is supposed to be.
“Laura, over here.”
Gemma waves at me from across the crowded coffee shop. She is tucked in a booth near the back, one of only a few who are shielded from view, and I head over with a broad smile on my face because I have news.
“Where’s Brittany?” I say, glancing around as if she will materialize out of thin air from Potter’s invisibility cloak.
“She messaged to say she’s on her way. Late as usual.”
Gemma rolls her eyes and points to the latte she has already purchased on my behalf.
“It should still be hot enough. It’s crazy in here today, so I thought I’d get the orders in advance.”
“Good thinking.” I settle in the booth and stretch out my feet, loving how warm and cozy it is in the cool January air. It’s a new year that brings hope and new beginnings and I am a walking advertisement for that.
“Sorry guys, the subway was a bitch today.”
“When isn’t it?” Gemma shakes her head as Brittany slides in beside her, seizing the double shot cappuccino that she appears addicted to.
“Thanks honey, I’ll ping you the money.”
“No need, you can get the next ones.”
They gaze at me expectantly as I shift on my seat and Brittany grins.
