“Past tense,” Connor affirms.
“If the cops aren’t there, why are we wearing vests?”
“A precaution,” Declan says.
I have to answer my own question, which I can’t do because I’m not privy to knowledge of Selnoa’s criminal underworld. Luckily, I don’t have to wonder too long. The answer comes from a guard dressed in a black tactical uniform who approaches the driver’s window when we pull up to the gate.
Another guard joins him on Connor’s side. Connor whistles the old song people sing during a soccer match. We cheer for the same team, which is great. I’d comment on the song and our common team affiliation if I weren’t so terrified of how comfortable Connor looks with the prospect of a violent conflict.
The guards carry rifles over their chests and hold them at the ready. Connor positively salivates. Declan, though, he’s…quiet,watchful. More steady. I’m over here wanting to jump out of my skin.
When the guards back away from the car and point rifles at us, I break down into tears.
Declan puts a hand over mine. “Stay in the car. I’ll take care of this.”
“We’re all going to die.”
“Maybe,” Connor says.
“He’ll let us in,” Declan says. “It’s either that or he sends a message that he’s afraid of us.”
“Who are we talking about?” I ask.
“Ivan Holloway.”
“Don’t they call him the Bloodletter?”
“They do, baby, they do. But they call me Declan Crossbow. One is a nickname, the other a real name. They’re not one and the same.”
Chapter 17
Daddy’s home
Declan
Ivan Holloway, my dad’s cousin and right-hand man, is likely the one who commands my dad’s army right now. He won’t have expected Connor or me to arrive at the mansion. Now that we have, he’s scrambling. He knows as well as we do that any power player who wants to pounce on Selnoa’s throne, vacated by my dad, will have to show force.
We can be allies. Or enemies. It all depends on how he receives us.
We think all will be peaceful since Ivan is now having lunch with his family. He’s trying to convince his reluctant (rightfully so) wife to move into the mansion.
Since he is trying to convince his wife that all is well and that he is the new king of the city, he will have to pretend as if our arriving here is something he approved and even expected.
The guard speaks with our driver, then comes to stand next to my window.
He expects me to roll it down, so I don’t. I wait until he knocks on the window. Twice.
I roll down the window and let him peek inside.
A nod, and he leaves.
Dina expels the breath she held and rolls up the window. “There are cameras everywhere.”
“Thank God for that,” Connor says. “I’ve spied on this place for over a decade and a half.”
“A decade and a half?” Dina asks, stunned.
“That’s what I said.”
