"I'm seeing it," Kyle says as a greeting. "I'll get closer and see what he's saying."
Even now, I know it's useless. By the time Kyle can get close enough to hear anything, the conversation will be over. Watching this unfold from a distance isn't going to work much longer. I've searched into Isla's family history, but all of the Sanctum's families are hidden behind a privacy wall that even I can't get through. And all the while, they're getting bolder.
Isla's hunter senses are picking up on it, too. She stopped ordering from her usual spot, instead choosing to pick it up from a different shop altogether. She bought an extra security lock last week that can't be seen or picked from the outside at all.
Clever, but it's going to make our next steps infinitely more difficult.
"They're getting too bold," I tell him. "I think we need to take more extreme measures."
He chuckles, "Yeah, I thought you might say that." Kyle is my number one man, the one who has been with me the longest. "You want me to get Marissa on it?"
"Nah. Isla is already paranoid. Introducing someone new into her life isn't really an option. I need you to gain access to her apartment." The groan on the other line almost makes me laugh. He had to have known this was coming.
"And what am I doing in there?"
"Bugs. I need her computer, at least two cameras," my phone beeps at me, alerting me to a text. The banner tells me it's fromFritz, and I roll my eyes, directing my attention back to Kyle. "Just do as much as you can without getting caught."
"And when am I supposed to do that?" he asks a good question. Someone who works from home and just had her best friend move to another state while also not speaking to her family doesn't leave her apartment much.Fuck.
"Just— fuckin' wait for an opportunity, I don't know." While I trust Kyle with anything, not being there to do any of it myself is driving me up the fucking wall. But if I enter her orbit, she'll know immediately. And the last thing I need to do is push her into moving and changing everything like she's apparently done before.
Disconnecting the call without further pleasantries, I steel my patience and look at the text from Fritz.
WANNA COME FOR XMAS DINNER???
AND XMAS BRUNCH?????
What the fuck?No, I do not want to come to Christmas with those three.
I leave the message on read, not willing to engage with him. I will happily answer the phone for Bel should she need me or have more questions about the soul-bond bullshit. I might even deal with Caspian because he seems to have a modicum of sense. But I'm not looking to become fucking besties with them.
ISLA'S COMING??
With a quick text back to Fritz, a plan falls into place.
I'll be there.
Immediately, I pick up the phone to call Kyle back.
When the line connects, I don't wait for a greeting. "Isla's traveling for Christmas. That'll have to be your opening."
"And how am I supposed to get inside?"
"You'll figure it out."
This time, he disconnects without another word, his dismissal clear. Christmas. That gives him two weeks to prepare— more than he needs, but also definitely far less than he wants to have. Ensuring Isla is out of the house for several days will give him the best chance to get in there and plant everything without rushing.
And it gives me a chance to plant what I need on her phone. Christmas with the trio of idiots will certainly involve copious amounts of alcohol. Her hunter senses will be thrown off, surrounded by all three of us, giving me a chance to do what I have to without getting caught. And I can ask about her family, figure out just how much of a threat they are to her.
But I have to play the part. I haven't been part of a Christmas celebration in decades, but how hard could it be? Bring some presents, play nice. I ought to bring Bel a housewarming gift, too. While Fritz drives me insane, it's not her fault her soul-bond is a fucking moron. If I get an opportunity to bug their place, too… well, that's all the better.
Fritz has sent me far too many texts over the last few days.
DINNER IS AT SEVEN!!
DON'T BE LATE!
WEAR SOMETHING NICE!!!??
