Yeah, right.
Before I know it, she’s in front of me, holding my shoulder for support as she starts to come down into my lap.
Fuck.
I freeze, the moment hitting me like a car. The memory of Quinn’s lips over my forehead—like a ghost—cooks my muscles until they’re burning, and I shoot up, pushingher off.
No.
I’m not playing these fucking games.
The whole table erupts into laughter as Isobel’s name flashes on the screen again, and I do everything to stand tall and not give away that my pulse is racing. The young woman retreats a few steps as my phone vibrates, her eyes flitting between me and her boss.
Hugo chuckles, pleased with himself for calling my bluff as he takes another drag of his cigarette. “This is my family for a reason. You could never replace me.”
Yeah, no shit.
I’d never want to be him.
But the word family keeps turning over in my head.
My family, he’d said.
Your family is your strength.
They all stare at me, probably waiting for my next move, but I stare at the call continuing to come in.
My family.
“I’ll be in touch,” I murmur to them, backing away. “Tonight.”
And I spin around, heading out of the club and hearing Farrow on my heels. “I need to check on Quinn,” I call back to him.
“Stay in Shelburne Falls,” he warns. “River’s going to surge tonight.”
I nod, not turning back. I don’t want to lose my train of thought.
Leaving him behind, I jump into the car and speed away, kicking up gravel as I drive out of the parking lot.
Drew got to me by threatening those close to me. Maybe Hugo isn’t the way in. He’s only powerful by the grace of those around him. His family is the way in.
I’m going about this the wrong way. Quinn was right.
My cell lights up on the seat next to me. Swiping it up, I answer, but Isobel speaks before I have a chance. “When the call goes to voicemail that fast, then I know you’re ‘ignoring’ it.”
“Sorry.” I shift into high gear. “I can’t talk about work right now.”
“It’s not about work,” she replies. “You told me to do some research.”
I go still.Right.
“Did you find something?” Equal parts excitement and dread course through me. “Something on Hugo Navarre or Drew Reeves?” I ask, hopeful.
I’d asked her to look up Madoc, Jared, and Jax, as well. I didn’t want her to find anything, though.
“Actually,” she tells me. “I found something on you.”
Oh, what the fuck…What now?
