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“No,” Kaj said with a tense smile. “You’re good. No more cuffs.”
Jace stared at Val as Kaj followed Phin upstairs. “I’m good?”
Val squeezed his hand. “You’re very good, Jace. Don’t forget that.” She dialed Burke and he picked up on the first ring.
“Yeah?” Burke barked by way of greeting.
“We need you here. André’s been stabbed and Molly’s taken Antoine to the hospital. It’s just me and Phin.”
“Shit. Prognosis?”
“I don’t know, but this feels connected. Can you send someone over? Is Lucien back in town?” Lucien had been assigned to emergency protection duty for another client.
“Not yet,” Burke said grimly. “I expect him back later this morning. I’m on my way.”
She ended the call and smiled weakly when Czar put his head in her lap, sensing her worry. “Good boy.”
“What’s happening, Val?” Jace asked quietly. “Who hurt Captain Holmes?”
“I don’t know, but I’m sure NOPD will find out. It’ll be okay, Jace.”
But she wasn’t sure who she was trying to convince—Jace or herself.
Lake Cataouatche, Louisiana
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 28, 6:45 A.M.
“Corey, please,” Ed murmured raggedly. “She doesn’t know anything. Make Bobby stop. He’s going to kill her.”
Standing in the doorway, Corey surveyed the bloody woman on the floor impassively. Noni Feldman had continued insisting that she didn’t know where either Allyson or Bella were. And Bobby had really tried to break her.
In the end, he’d broken her physically, but they still had no information.
Ed looked like he’d be sick and, as much as Corey despised the woman for her aggressive reporting, even he found himself disturbed.
“Bobby,” Corey said sharply. “Stop. She’s unconscious.”
Bobby looked up, an unholy light in his eyes. “So?”
“So,” Corey said, wondering how far Bobby might have taken it if he hadn’t stepped in. “If she’s dead, she’s no good at luring Allyson to us.”
Bobby scowled. “Fuck. I never get to have any fun.”
Corey thought his friend had had way too much fun. Like, Bobby-needed-therapy amount of fun. “Go shower, Bobby. You look like an extra from a horror movie.”
Corey followed Bobby out, pulling the door closed behind him. Bobby went off to the tiny shower and Corey sat at the small table. He’d slept like shit, his arm throbbing all night long.
“Ed, can you make some coffee?” he said wearily. “We brought some back with us last night. I need to think.”
Ed sat down as the coffee dripped. “What are we going to do?”
“Find Bella. That’s the first priority.”
Ed sighed quietly. “That’s what I thought you’d say. I think it’s a very bad idea, but I’ll help you finish this job since it’s so important to you. But after this, I’m not sure. I’m worried about you, Corey. You’re going to have to learn when to walk away or the law’s going to catch you. Or kill you. And anyone standing next to you. Which might be me.”
Corey ground his teeth, torn between relief that Ed was going to help him and irritation at the man’s condescending worry. “I’m fine,” he bit out. “Tell me how we can get Cardozo so I can get to Bella. After that, you’re free to walk away.”
“I don’t want to walk away,” Ed insisted. “I just... You’re...” He shook his head. “Look, I owe you a lot. You gave me a job when I got out, and I’ve had fun. I admire what you’ve built in the last three years. What we’ve built. I’ve admired that you’ve never given up, in spite of the odds. Until now. I’m worried you’re about to throw it all away.”
