“I would not be so concerned about the duchess if I were you.” The duke staggers to his feet, still clutching his shoulder. Sweat pools on his forehead, and although he addresses his words to Gabriel, it’s me he glares at with cold malice. “If you or your friends lift a finger to stand in my way, I’ll make sure you never sing another note as long as you live.”
16
Claudia
“Oooh, I’m all aflutter over Big Daddy Duke threats. What does he think he’s going to do? Cut me off? Too late. Or maybe he’ll rubbish me in the papers, try to destroy what little reputation I have left. He’s tried that already, but it only made me more desirable for the label, more of a bad boy for the gutter press to pick over.” Gabriel slouches in his seat as the flight attendants prepare for takeoff. “He can’t hurt me any more than he already has.”
His words sound brave, but I catch the tremor in his voice. He’s trying to convince himself.
There are still so many ways Gabriel can bleed.
I know we haven’t heard the last of this. I don’t intend to underestimate the Duke of Blackwich, especially not when he’s conspiring with Cleo. He’s a calculating bastard… sorry,wanker. And since Gabriel wears his heart on the outside, the duke has already made careful note of his son’s weaknesses – his mother, Dylan’s memory, me.
And where did he get this knowledge from? Cleo, of course.
I haven’t got where I am in life ignoring dangerous and powerful people. The Duke of Blackwich will have his legacy, one way or another. He’s yet another crow circling over our heads.
I glance across the aisle at Eli and Noah. I’ve promised Eli that I’ll help him free the animals Nero has in his care. And Noah… we still didn’t have answers about his father’s involvement in Felix’s death.
They’re counting on me.
It’s a lot.
And I’m about to blow their worlds up.
I could lose them over this.
It’s more than I can bear, but then I think of Antony’s face as he pulled me out of that grave all those years ago. He deserves this.
If saving Antony means losing the guys… I swallow hard. Maybe it’s for the best. If they’re out of my life, maybe they’ll be out of danger, too.
* * *
By the timethe plane touches down on US soil, I’ve come up with a plan. It’s a ridiculous plan, but I’ve thought through different scenarios using the logic methods Noah taught me in his tutoring, and it’s the only thing that will work to solve all our problems.
Either that, or get us all killed.
“You’re quiet,” Noah points out as we step inside Malloy Manor. I bite back a response about jet lag. He’s my mirror. He sees right through my bullshit.
I drag Gabriel from the car. “George will be in the study. I need you all there, too.”
It’s weird to return home after being away. The house feels alien. Or maybe it’s me who doesn’t fit any longer. I’ve never been away for long enough to miss the place before. As we move through the house, I find myself stopping at odd places to study the furniture. My skin prickles with unease.
Is that picture slightly askew? Did that vase always sit there? I swear I put those books away before we left…
I shake my head.Don’t be ridiculous. You’re still reeling from the break-in. Seven million people live in this house now, and they’re constantly moving stuff.
George looks up as the three of us crowd into Howard Malloy’s office. “You’re back, hooray.” Her face falls. “And you look serious. Go to bed. Don’t decide to murder anyone before you’ve had a decent night’s sleep.”
“We’re not murdering anyone.” I sag into one of the squishy office chairs. “Yet.”
Noah leans forward, cracking his knuckles. There’s a glint in his dark eyes that makes my panties wet. “Speak for yourself. You’re not the only one with a murder list. I’m going toeviscerateCleo for that stunt she pulled on Gabe.”
“Cleo?” George’s lips purse with confusion.
“This isn’t about Cleo.” Eli stands at the edge of the desk, his fingers toying with George’s papers. Unlike Noah, he doesn’t relish the chance to spill blood. He looks worried, but determined – ready to wade in to fight for me if he has to. “It’s about what Claudia has to do.”
I glance at Eli in surprise. He dares a thin smile. I should’ve known that I couldn’t keep my thoughts secret from my Golden Boy. A protector like him will see the same in me.
