The Revenge by Tijan

But it was the after that I had to consider.

“Calhoun wasn’t stupid. If he dies, there are policies set in motion. People will come after whoever killed him. He still has resources I need to turn against him. I’m digging. I’m trying to find everything.”

He whistled. “He’s a sick bastard.”

“He has a contract out to go after not only me but also Bailey. Maybe you guys, too. I’m working on isolating him from all his assets, but it takes time. And money. And diplomacy.”

“Yeah.” His voice cracked, and he looked exhausted once again. The bags under his eyes grew in size just during our conversation. He rubbed at his jaw, swearing softly under his breath. “I’m going to collapse, man. I gotta hit the hay.”

I nodded. “Before you do, did you learn anything new from Camille Story?”

He grimaced, his mouth twisting. “Yeah, actually. She said Quinn has someone else in her camp.”

That wasn’t good, and how the fuck had I missed that?

“Quinn is digging for information on us, right? Did you get that from her?”

He frowned. “Yeah. Sorry. I should’ve said that first. Camille admitted she was tapped by Quinn to get as much info from her as possible. Then they started a weird friendship, but Camille was asked to try and dig up more info on you and Bailey—Bailey specifically.”

“Bailey? Not you?”

He shook his head. “No, and I pressed. She said she was only saying what she was saying because she was happy it wasn’t me anymore. I don’t think she meant to let that slip, but she shut up right after for a long while. She got a funny look on her face, like she realized she was saying too much. She tried to turn the tables and push me for information. Think that’s the only reason she came, because Hoda said I was drunk. I was acting it up. She thinks I forgot to pay my bill, that we dined and ditched. I’m sure she’s going to give Quinn that tidbit on me, but she said Hoda’s a tapped well. Which makes sense; it’s why she’s letting Hoda move out without a fuss.”

“Quinn wanted to scare Chrissy away from Peter. That was what started the whole thing.”

Matt was nodding. “And it didn’t work. It brought Chrissy closer.”

“So Quinn wanted Bailey dead, thought that would push Chrissy away. That Chrissy would blame Peter.”

“Which she might’ve, but it didn’t happen.”

“Evidence is solid on her. She was released on bail, but her trial is starting and she’s got one person that we know looking into Bailey and myself. You’re saying according to that same asset, Quinn’s got a second in her pocket. Why? For her trial?”

Matt shook his head. “I don’t know, but…” He was frowning, his forehead scrunched up. “Didn’t it come out that the Arcane team did that, hoping it would get them in Calhoun’s good graces? But Quinn said they were stupid, that he’d never have approved that move?”

“Yeah.”

It didn’t feel right. None of it felt right.

Quinn and my grandfather were together in my head, but maybe they weren’t really together. They weren’t. I knew they weren’t. So why did I keep putting them together? Were they working as an alliance? Against whom? Me? Was it something else? A different target? A different person?

“Okay.” Matt clamped a hand on my shoulder, moving past me. “I’m exhausted. I had a whole night of faking the doughnut, and then I went and didn’t fake the doughnut, but I need sleep.”

“Do I want to ask who you didn’t fake the doughnut with?”

Matt grinned. “No one special, but she’s also no one married.”

“That’s something.” I added, “You need a shower.”

“That, too. Maybe later.” He headed toward his section of the house, his hand in the air. “Let’s save the world after I get a good twelve hours of sleep, yeah? Try not to slay too many dragons until I’m back awake. You and me, dude. We’re Team Katt.”

I snorted. “I don’t want a team name for us. That’s your thing with Bailey.”

“You’re right. You’d never be a part of Team Batt.”

He headed off, and I looked up, seeing Marie stepping out from the kitchen hallway. She had a knowing look on her face, along with a steaming mug in her hand.

I started for her. “Is that for me?”

She held it up. “Three shots of espresso.”

Thank fuck.





FOURTEEN

Kash


I was in Peter’s study, working on some items.

Peter was working at his desk while I was on one of his leather couches in the corner. The door opened.

Peter looked up from his computer and instantly a loving smile lit up his face. “Come in, honey.”

Seraphina darted inside, dressed in her robe and pajamas, her hair long and hanging free. I grinned at the slippers she was wearing, the flamingo pair that Bailey had given her. And it was one of those moments where I was thankful to be staying at the Chesapeake for the time being. If we weren’t here, I wouldn’t see that Seraphina wore Bailey’s gift this evening, and that they were a permanent fixture on her feet every night when she dressed for bed.

“What’s going on?”

Peter scooted his chair and Seraphina went around his desk, draping herself half on his arm. Her head lowered to his shoulder. She hadn’t noticed I was in the room. I was thankful for that, too. Seraphina tensed around me, I’d noticed. I knew there’d been a moment when she had a crush on me, but I thought that was gone. I can’t say I was a fan of her stiffening whenever I was around, either.