Rushing into the space, I barely miss colliding with my twin cousins, Marla and Girade, swinging last minute into the hall.
The overwhelming scent of booze and perfume is high, and I have to push further inside the convention hall, through thongs of guests, soft musical notes ringing in my ears.
The event is going off without a hitch with people pouring out the doors, toting along large canvas bags full of priceless items of various designers and backgrounds.
I know how hard Sloane worked on this. Between gun training and dealing with life, she threw herself into this project, finding a spark I long suspected was there under the surface. She just needed someone to believe in her, allow her the grace to create and make mistakes.
She fucking shines now.
She’s also going to kill me. My perfect, fiery wife expected me hours ago. I’ve got a string of texts from her and Maria asking where I am, with Nico throwing in the occasional praise for her talents.
I’m jealous I wasn’t here at the start of this event, but I’m certainly going to be here at the end. Like I always will be. I’ll earn her forgiveness with my tongue and her claw marks in my back, my apologies whispered into her ear where only she can have them.
Entering the main lobby, I veer off to the right, where a long bar sits. Most of the hot ticketed items are gone but there are few purses, suitcases, and three pairs of heels to auction off. Sloane priced everything so well that the auction gathered close to a million dollars for the local hospital.
Again, another update from Nico. You’d think she was now his daughter with the way he’s constantly in her corner.
Pride warms my heart at my mentor falling in love with my wife like I have. She’s the only reason this event took off, she’s the only reason I feel this lightness in my chest and love blooming in my cold heart.
Love for a woman with a fiery tongue and unbreakable resolve. She’s even bounced back from the mugging with more grace than I would have expected.
She’s strong, that woman. And she’s all mine.
At the bar, Killian sits with a glass of what seems to be a strong scotch. His pale face is pressed close to the edge of the glass, and though most of the liquor is gone, I can still catch the sharp scent of booze in the air. His black suit is tailored and silken, cut with precision. He looks like the gentlemen version of Death out on a night on the town, ready to collect souls who misbehave.
Sliding up to him, I order a whiskey. Although I want a signature drink, the sign on the bar says they’re sold out. One more thing Sloane thought of. Another thing to praise her for. Another extra talent that drew in the crowds.
I side-eye the reaper. He’s still on my shit list for his crap with this entire situation we find ourselves in. But I did hire him and need the last bit of his information.
If it’s what I think it is, I have to clean house. And now.
“Where’s Sloane?” I ask, sipping from my glass.
He’s hammered, it’s clear to see. But not in the obvious, obnoxious ways. His eyes are glassy, his killer instinct dulled behind the wall of intoxication.
I still think he can kill anyone in here, single handedly. Myself included. It just wouldn’t have the same style.
“She was here earlier.” He swallows, turning the glass over. He refuses to look at me.
“When earlier?”
Now he glares, burning holes into the bar top. “I’m not her fucking keeper. Isn’t that your job, heir?”
Someone’s testy tonight. Usually, I get the cool disdain or annoying arrogance. He’s spitting wrath and ready to pull his gun at the slightest provocation.
I turn toward the crowd, noticing the O’Briens are in attendance. Collins is standing off to the side, speaking to Ace’s second, both of them looking deep in conversation. Whatever it is, takes all of their concentration.
My eyes sweep to the left and I see Ace. I inhale sharply.
I was not expecting to see her, like that.
I certainly didn’t expect the man on her arm either.
“Who’s the cop?”
Killian growls something under his breath before clearing his throat. “He’s Ace’s date.”
Pure rage simmers in Killian’s cold eyes and I palm my gun, just to be ready. He’s liable to go off.
“Not a fan, I see.”
“No.” He grips the knife in his jacket, taking it out to twirl it between sure fingers. It’s a black, half-circle claw, ready to slice a soul from this world.
“I thought you two…” I trail off, a chill skating down my spine as he finally locks eyes on me.
He still twirls the knife, and I see the indecision in his mind. He wants to stab something and he’s thinking about doing it to me, his closest target.
“Whatever you think you know, you don’t.”
“Whatever you say, reaper,” I say, draining my glass. It’s his problem, not mine. I just need my information and to find my wife. “Where’s my name?”
“I have it. You’re not going to like it.”
My stomach bottoms out, but I keep my face emotionless. I take out the envelope of cash, sliding it across the bar.
“Payment. Give it to me.”
Killian glances to his master, jaw clenching. I feel sorry for the date. If I had the reaper looking at me like that, I’d move states away.
“Dom.”
Air rushes from my lungs, as betrayal hot and furious plagues my veins.
I spent the last four days searching and researching all my leads. Everything I’ve come up with comes back to one possibility. That someone close to me, deep inside, would be the only one to get the information.
I knew it’d be him, but I didn’t want to believe it.
Killian pushes off the bar, signature smirk in place. It looks pained as a laugh pierces the dull roar of conversation around us. Without looking, I know it’s Ace laughing at her date’s joke.
The killer’s eyes go completely dead.
“You already knew.” He shakes his head, draining another glass. Who keeps serving him? “Your own family is selling you out, heir. He’s trying to sink your organization.”
Cursing under my breath, I slap the bar.
I just don’t understand why.
“Have any idea where he is?”
“None.” He tilts his head, a predator tracking something unseen. “Call Sloane.”
Swearing under my breath, I pull my cell out, hitting her number right away. Of course. I can’t find my wife who should be the center of attention here, and I can’t find my cousin who should be here to support his father.
He wants what I have. What I have is Sloane.
Sloane’s phone rings and rings.
No answer. I try again and again. Still no answer.
The entire time Killian watches me. If he was angry before, his face goes into depths of hell I can’t even imagine.
I don’t doubt for one second he cares about Sloane. About any of the sisters. My wife said he was raised right along with them, another brother in their ranks.
If I’m angry, he’s downright pissed.
It’s the only time we’ve ever agreed on something.
As if being called, Killian crooks a finger and Ace comes over. Her date is long gone, probably having gone to look for their coats, but it’s not the laughing face of a young woman before me. It’s the stern look of a Captain.
One who knows something terrible has happened.
“What’s going on?”
Licking my lips, I gesture to the party. “I can’t find Sloane.”
She doesn’t make a pale attempt at reassuring me. To tell me she’s probably in the back or outside. Ace knows that’s not the case. She reads the alarm on my face, the panic in my voice. Everything clicks for her, and she takes out her phone, barking orders. “Dylan. Sloane’s missing. Check the mansion. All the grounds. All her old haunts. Pull everyone to the search.”
Killian moves closer to her, pleading with his eyes. “You can’t let your guards be taken by the search too. You know you can’t.”
“Fuck my guards,” she spits. Quickly, she steps out of her heels. She drops inches down, leaning against Killian’s offered arm. “Everyone is going to look for Sloane. Including me.”
She turns to me, green eyes black. If I ever doubted her love for her sister, that worry is squashed now. Ace looks terrified.
Join the fucking club.
“Sloane wouldn’t leave this unless under duress. Someone took her.”
I nod, teeth cracking from the pressure tension in my jaw. “My cousin, Dom. He’s the one tanking us. He took her.” I dial Sloane again, not surprised it’s not answered.
“Then where the fuck would he take my baby sister?” She steps closer, body radiating with anger. Only it’s not just anger, it’s the palpable taste of fear radiating off of Maeve.
Killian places a hand across her middle, halting her advance. I’m slightly relieved. I’m liable to shoot anyone who corners me right now, and attacking my sister-in-law isn’t high on my list of things to clean up tonight.
Raking a hand through my hair, I slam my hand into the bar. “I don’t—” I glance down at my wedding band. A niggle of a thought strikes me.
I take out my phone, pinging her location as the puzzle pieces fit together.
The mugging. The left behind diamond ring. The missing product.
All of it fits.
Cutting a look to Killian, I grab Ace’s arm. “Have you checked the Wharf recently? Done a product count?”
She narrows her eyes, rocking on her feet, as if she can’t stand still. “We do one every night.”
“Has tonight been done, yet?”
She shakes her head, worry pulling at her brow. “It’s scheduled for later.”
Later, when everyone is back from their rounds. When money can be collected and counted, the supplies checked to make sure nothing is stolen.
“Check it. I have a feeling all your product has been delivered. Or will be.”
“You think I’m going to sit on the sidelines while my sister is in danger?” She shifts the gun into her hand, cocking it loudly. Nerves make her fingers tremble just the slightest bit. “Fat, fucking chance, Alessio.”
I shake her, much to Killian’s displeasure. “She’s my wife and I won’t risk her by bringing your psychotic ass into a firefight.” I nod at the reaper. “Dom will have the product delivered to show good faith. To show his competence. You need to be there to accept it and keep whoever he hired distracted. I don’t think he’ll be there, but I’ll need them detained.”
“You think if we come with you, he’ll kill Sloane.”
Ace’s face pales and if I thought she couldn’t get any scarier, I was wrong.
Her voice shakes as she says, “I’ll kill him myself.”
I step into Ace’s space, cornering her against Killian’s chest. “You trusted me to take care of Sloane. It was in the contract. Everything that I have, everything that I am, is hers.”
“I cannot have you risking her life. You’ll go to the Wharf and handle that while I save Sloane.”
“You have an hour.” Killian interrupts Ace’s tirade. She’s gearing up to tell me to fuck off and go blazing into a battle to save her sister, her safety and mine, be damned. “We won’t wait much longer than that.”
They turn, Killian pulling the captain toward the back exit, Hayes quickly taking up their back. Before she’s completely out of sight, Ace looks back at me, yanking against her restraints.
“You better bring her home, Lex.” It’s a threat but I read her meaning clear.
The mighty Ace is giving me the power, the control, over someone she cares. She’s trusting me not to screw up.
Luckily for her, I care about Sloane—love Sloane, too much to even think about something happening to her.
