“How can you say that?”
“Because I refuse to let it be otherwise.” Grim humor sparkled in his eyes. “I am the head of the Blackburn clan. Dragonsaround the world fear my power. Tomás’s father could be my worst enemy, and it wouldn’t matter. Not if we are together.”
She put her hands over his and sighed. “All right. But do you have the footage?”
He brought it up on his phone. They stared at it. Zoomed in. Flicked between the various shots the investigators had sent through.
Zoomed in again.
“You know in cop shows where they enhance the crummy images?” Maya said at last.
“I am assured it doesn’t work that way in real life.”
She sighed. “Well, if your team can find him based on that, they’ve earned their fees. Blond hair, gray suit…”
“Do you remember anything else about him?”
“He wore glasses? Wire-rimmed ones, not chunky. And I thought maybe the blond was a dye job. Should I be telling this to the detectives?”
“Let them earn their fee themselves.”
Maya still looked troubled. He didn’t blame her. She already felt like her failure to track the man down was something to be ashamed of. But if the man had disappeared so completely … maybe there was more to it.
He pushed aside his own doubts. “The investigation may take several days, but it’s under control. Meanwhile…” He pressed his lips together. “My grandfather has been assuring me he has the vault investigation thoroughly under control. After this report, I have my doubts. But there is something I need to discuss with him in person.”
Maya’s eyebrows rose. “You’re going to go up to your grandfather, in person, and tell him you think he’s handling things wrong?”
“You think that would be a bad idea?”
“He was my boss for years before you took over the reins, Corin. Who do you think taught me that Blackburn men are all terrifying assholes?”
Corin grimaced, considering. “He can be strict. Don’t worry. I’m not planning to go in and tell him how to bury treasure. There’s something else I need to discuss with him.”
His eyes softened; loving, warm, and the slightest hint that he was bracing himself. “I intend to ask him whether he knows any way to control or dampen my duskfire so I can properly claim you as my mate. I have wasted enough time cowering behind my own pride. If there’s anything I can do—”
Anguish slashed across his features.
“Including admit your lack of knowledge to the man who trusted you to take over the family?” she asked gently.
“Don’t feel sorry for me,” he forced out. “If I had been less prideful, less concerned about my position—”
“I am the Blackburn clan leader’s mate,” she said, holding his hands to her face and not letting him turn away. “I’ll feel however I damn well please.”
“My queen.” He kissed her.
And for a while, they distracted each other from their scheming.
22
Corin
Morning broke bright and shining over the water and, with it, the unsettling knowledge that he would have to leave his mate.
For a day. Maybe two. It depended on how poorly his conversation with his grandfather went.
“I’ll be fine,” she told him when he admitted his unease after they showered together. He appreciated that she nobly stopped herself from rolling her eyes as she said it. “If I get bored, I’ll needle some of your vacation staff for gossip. We’re putting up enough of them at work.”
“Somehow, that makes me feel even worse about this trip.”
