“Yes, because I’m sure Aria would strike fear into Scott’s heart,” I said, rolling my eyes.
Aria was the Goddess of health. She had a bite and a self-importance that made her walk with her chin tipped a few degrees higher than the rest of us. Not that she could face off against Quentin. My woman was in a league of her own.
“You’ll do as I’ve ordered.”
“How long do I have to train her?”
Hunter narrowed his eyes. “I’ll give you a week. I don’t particularly care what methods you use. You have a lead for the bitch. Use it at your discretion.”
The pain shot through my jaw as I nodded. “I’m sure it won’t come to that.”
“No. I’m certain you have more creative ways to make her listen to you. Share some of your stories. I’m sure that would keep her in line.”
He was baiting me. Hunter didn’t want her to know the truth any more than I did.
“Anything else?” I gritted out.
“No. You can leave.”
I wasted no time pushing myself out of the seat and stalking out of the room. Larkin’s slim frame hid just outside the doorway and she watched me curiously.
“Is this what you’ve resorted to?” My voice was nothing more than a whisper. “Sleuthing for information. I expected more from you, Larkin.”
I didn’t wait for a response as I brushed past her. To my surprise, she followed me and my dismal mood grew more grim.
“What?” I hissed over my shoulder.
“Why were you so desperate to bring her back up here?” Larkin asked, keeping her voice down.
“She’s a liability, Larkin.”
“Then why is Bexley running errands for you? Getting Dionne to keep an eye on her?”
I should have known Bexley would talk to her sister, but it didn’t sound like Larkin knew any more than she had to. If I had the vaguest sense that she knew about the bond, then all my plans were about to be thrown out.
I stopped in my tracks and Larkin appeared in front of me. Her blonde hair fell in straight sheets around her long face.
“I don’t know what it is, and I don’t want to know, but you’re playing a dangerous game,” she warned me. “Hunter and Archer and you. You’re all after something. I suggest you drop it, Grayson. That poor girl doesn’t deserve to be dragged through the mess happening up here.”
I scoffed. “Am I meant to believe you care about her wellbeing?”
“When she’s landed herself in the middle of three psychopaths? Yes.”
“The only psychopath you can talk about with any sort of confidence is your darling husband.” I cocked my head to the side. “That’s not quite right, is it? I guess you might know a thing or two about Archer, although times might have changed.”
The slap didn’t even sting. My sister-in-law stood before me with a furious expression. I cut deep today and I had no regrets. Bringing up her past relationship was a definite way to get a rise out of her.
“Hunter won’t let this go,” Larkin told me. “Don’t be an idiot. We don’t need a war, Grayson. The kindest thing you can do for her is to prepare her for the inevitable. Death is a better option than dragging her through all of this. For what? Ego? Pride?”
“Should I help her pick out her coffin? Or would you like to come around and do that with her? Will you offer your flowers or are my lilies more appropriate for the occasion?”
“Stop being so flippant!”
“Larkin, I don’t need your concern. And I’m sure Scott wouldn’t appreciate it either. Focus on yourself and your marriage.”
“We split the vote, Grayson. All it would take is for one person to change their mind and she won’t exist any longer. Why put her through months of uncertainty just so you can all play mind games with each other?”
My aura flexed around me and I wrapped it around myself, leaving before we drew Hunter’s attention.
