I’ll be his poison. He will be addicted to me.
After brunch with my friends, I head to the spot where Kaiser told me he’d be waiting to pick me up. There’s no sign of his Jeep, but there’s a matte black Lykan parked in Kaiser’s usual spot. I’m admiring the car when the driver gets out and faces me.
He’s a big blond guy who looks exactly like Kaiser, except he isn’t.
“Hello, Bella. I’m Jaeger. Kaiser sent me to pick you up.”
“I’m not supposed to talk to strangers or get in the car with them.”
“I’m not a stranger. I’m going to be your brother-in-law.”
He holds up his phone and plays me a video of Kaiser telling me that this is his brother, Jaeger, and I’m to obey him as I would Kaiser. The video ends with the two of them side by side, glowering at the camera.
“I guess you pass the test.” He is an identical twin. They even have a few matching tattoos, although I can spot differences. “What’s your name again? Bagel?”
“Jaeger.”
He opens the passenger door for me, and I slide into the seat, feeling grouchy that Kaiser didn’t bother to pick me up himself so I could start on my nefarious plan. And then I’m grouchy that I’m grouchy. I should be relieved that I don’t have to see him so soon.
Now I’m grouchy that I’m grouchy about being grouchy. I can’t help my emotions. Raine and I were just talking about this. I need to chillax. I have a plan. I just need to focus.
Jaeger puts the car in gear and pulls away from the curb. If I don’t look directly at him, I can imagine it’s Kaiser in the car. But there are a few uncanny differences.
“Where’s Kaiser anyway?”
“On a job.”
“For Fraternitas?” No answer.
“Is he murdering anyone?”
Jaeger grins. “He told me you’d ask me that.”
He smiles too much. Kaiser doesn’t smile that much, so when he does, it’s earned. This guy is a clown compared to him. I don’t like it.
But I should use this time wisely. I want to ask him about his elita, but I got that intel from Honey, and I’ll need a legitimate way to have that information to protect her as a source. “Do you live around here?”
“New Rome.”
“With Kaiser?”
“In the same building.”
“Anything you can tell me about Kaiser? His likes, dislikes? Preferences?”
“Kaiser doesn’t like anyone or anything.”
That’s not true. But I don’t say that. “Good talk.”
Another grin. “He was assigned to guard you in the spring. He was told there would be a reward for keeping you alive.”
“What reward?”
“You.”
“Whoever took the job got to have me?” I don’t know if I’m flattered or incensed. Flat-censed.
Jaeger shrugs. “If they wanted you. And Kaiser wanted you. He chose you.”
