"They'll act independently." The realization hit me like ice water. "They'll stop waiting for orders and make the call themselves. They’ll fucking do what they think my father would want."
"Yes."
Twenty-four hours before the spies decided to take matters into their own hands.
Twenty-four hours before the spies in my household stopped asking permission and just put a bullet in Nyomi's head or dragged her away screaming.
"Where was Kiko today?" I forced the question out past the rage building in my throat.
“You banned her from the mansion, so she never came back. Still. . .we have people watching her. She and herentouragewere in her villa all day."
"You're sure?"
"Positive. She's not directly involved in this message transmitting, but. . .she always could be part of the four."
One suspect, possibly eliminated.
But that just narrowed it down to the people I saw every day. People who belonged in my house. People who could move through hallways and peek around corners without anyone questioning their presence.
People I trusted.
"They're not just watching her, Kenji." Reo's voice was quiet. "They're hunting her."
“I know.” I looked back toward the blanket where Nyomi waited. She'd stood up now, arms wrapped around herself, watching us. Even from this distance, I could see the tension in her shoulders.
She knew something was wrong.
My Tiger.
My beautiful, brave Tiger who'd walked into my world with nothing but courage and a fucking recorder. Who'd earned the respect of my Fangs and Claws. Who'd made my Roar smile and my brother sleep.
Someone wanted to kill her, possibly multiple people. And they were getting desperate enough to act without orders.
"We need to get you both back." Reo's voice cut through my thoughts. "Now."
I faced him. "I know."
"Unfortunately, your romantic break is over. We need to strategize with the Claws and Fangs."
"Agreed."
"And we need your Tiger to start hunting tonight, not tomorrow."
I checked Nyomi one more time. She'd taken a step towards us, sensing the shift.
Always so perceptive.
Always reading the currents beneath the surface.
She was about to become the hunter instead of the hunted.
And God help whoever had sent those photos.
"Give me five minutes." My voice came out flat and emotionless. "I need to tell her."
Reo studied my face. "What will you say?"
"Everything. She needs to know what she's walking into."
