“Before he went offline, he verified the world gate was functional.”
Raider let out a heartfelt groan.“Don’t tell me.”
“Yes, you will be leaving via Roake’s world gate,” Harlow announced with a tiny smirk at Raider’s reaction.“A few of Caius’s pod will meet you there.”
“When?”Kira asked.
“Dawn.”
That left the rest of the day and the night to prepare.
“Caius is your mission.Nothing else,” Harlow ordered, making sure there was no room for misunderstanding.“Remember—you’re Roake’s heir now.Everything you do reflects on us.”
“I like how you use that title as a bludgeon.Especially since I never agreed to the position in the first place,” Kira drawled.
Harlow’s grin tugged at the scar on his cheek.“You must not hate it too much.You’re still here.”
Yes, she was.
Kira didn’t know what that said about her.
“If that’s everything.”Kira let her words trail off.
“Not quite.There’s one last thing.”
Harlow’s gaze moved to Raider in clear demand.
“Well—I’m guessing that’s my cue.”Raider slapped his hands onto the armrests of his chair and lifted himself to standing.“Phoenix, I’ll be there bright and early tomorrow.Locked and loaded and ready to go.”
“Raider—”
“I know what you want to say but don’t.Elise and I have already had the conversation.As difficult as the idea of leaving her and my daughter behind in all this—especially so soon after just being reunited—there are some things that have to be done.”
“I wouldn’t think any less of you if you remained behind with them,” Kira said.
This wasn’t Raider’s fight.Not really.He had no obligation to see it through.
“You say that like we’re not a package deal.Sorry, Nixxy.We tried that once and it didn’t exactly work out well for either of us.From now on, your fights are my fights and vice versa.”
“That’s awfully sentimental,” Kira teased.“Never thought I’d hear the like out of your mouth.”
“To be honest, neither did I,” Raider admitted before sobering.“Roake’s fate affects my family’s.For us to stay safe, your House has to stand strong.I don’t mind being a contributing factor.”
“We appreciate that,” Harlow rumbled.
Kira glanced at Finn.“Can you believe this?The man’s become a philosopher.”
“I do find it rather surprising,” Finn said.
Raider rolled his eyes at the oshota.“At least I voice my opinion unlike a certain someone.”
“Finn does too,” Kira corrected.“It’s just usually along the lines of calling me an idiot.”
“Only because you so often are,” Finn murmured.
Raider’s snicker was quiet as he sauntered to the door.“I’ll let you get back to your super-secret business.I want to see Elena before our departure anyways.”
Harlow watched Raider leave, waiting until the door was closed behind him before speaking.“There are some who would have viewed my dismissal as an insult.”
