“Yes, exactly,” I say. Kai grins.
“So, what do we do?” Cal questions.
“We need a plan. We need to get on the inside and find out who Sabel works for. She isn’t running this thing on her own. We need to know exactly how far they plan to go with this. We need to dismantle their empire,” I say, as if it’s all going to be that easy.
“What if we try to expose the Eden Frequency for what it is?” Raithe offers. “Blow it out of the water before it has time to spark.”
“No, that’s too risky,” I say. “Too many variables, and whistle blowers always end up dead.”
“What about Sloane?” Cal questions, turning to face me.
“What about her?” I hiss. He studies me for a second, a knowing expression on his face.
“Well, she is aninvestigativejournalist. What if she—”
“Absolutely not. She’s already too involved,” I spit. “You fucking know that.” Cal doesn’t flinch.
“Have you told her?” It takes me a second to realize what Cal is asking, but I decide to act like I don’t.
“Told her what?” I question, eyes shifting between his. I hear Raithe sigh beside me.
“That you and Vantros are the same person,” Cal deadpans.
“No. I can’t. Youknowthat I can’t. Not now, anyway,” I say back. Cal scoffs.
“So, are you two likedatingnow?” Kai chimes in.
“Something like that,” I answer.
“So, she’s technically still available then?” Raithe tests.
“Fuckno. Don’t you fucking—” I stand, charging toward Raithe. Callum grabs my wrist, pulling me back down.
Raithe holds up both of his hands in surrender. “Chill, Riv. I was only joking.” I lean back, reining in my rising temper. I’m about to tell Raithe to fuck off one more time when my phone rings. I sigh, pulling it from my pocket and looking down to see “Elle” on the screen.
“I need to get this,” I say to the guys, leaving the room and walking outside to take the call.
“Elle,” I grind out.
“Oh, goody, another attitude. Who pissed in your cereal this morning?” she responds.
I sigh. “I’m sorry, Elle. I’m with the guys, and you know how Raithe can be.” I pause. “How are you?”
“Ah, there’s those manners I taught you. I’m well. But the reason I’m calling … We have a bit of a problem, Riven.” Her tone shifts to a more serious one. Whatnow?
“What is it?” I ask.
“Sloane.” This is the second time I hear her name in that tone, and I fuckinghateit. “She called me. She’s the daughter of one of my close friends, actually.” Elle pauses. “She called askingabout some photos. Photos that sounded a lot like the ones that are supposed to be inyourpossession.” How could the universe hate me so much that of all the PIs in the city, Sloane and I are working with thesamefucking one?!
“I did … Idohave them. I had to get them back from her. She stole them from me.” Elle starts to speak, but I stop her. “Don’t worry. Sloane doesn’t know thatIhave them. She doesn’t know who I am regarding her father.”
“Okay, fine. But you should know that Sloane’s looking into David, and she asked me to find out who stole the photos from her.” David Gallinsky is the man in the photos with Gideon. I’ve been on his trail for weeks, trying to figure out how he’s involved with Sonus.
She laughs. “Funny, isn’t it? Don’t answer that.” I can hear the sarcasm in her voice. “Look, about David.” She pauses. “He’s actually headlining a review board as the frequency specialist at Sonus. I think Gideon was involved.” I fucking figured as much.
“Shit,” I say. “Elle, I’m sorry. How was I supposed to know she’d come toyoufor help? You obviously can’t tell her that I have them or about David’s involvement,” I say.
“Riven.” She goes silent. No, she wouldn’t.
