Ren
Plan’s solid. I’ve got your back, Lana. Now if it were Sebastian you were relying on, I’d be worried.
“Asshole,” Sebastian mutters, snapping his laptop shut. “I’m an excellent shot.”
Ren smirks.
Ren
But you have to care about the person you’re protecting. You don’t care about shit.
“Hm.” Sebastian smirks and shrugs. “True.”
My silent bodyguard winces and rubs his chest. Sebastian’s eyes narrow at the motion.
I frown.
Ren catches me staring.
“Heartburn,”Ren signs.“Ignore me.”
“So when do we think something will happen?” Lana asks and gnaws her lip.
This is the wait and see part I hate.
We don’t know when the package will come, only that it’s meant for her.
If Lana receives it, we’ll swap it before anyone else lays eyes on it. If it’s a message, we’ll intercept it before The Association does.
The decoy plan has to come after the swap. Since The Association knows the delivery will go to Lana, all eyes will be on her. They may trail her. They may steal the package.
So, we give them a target. Lana will go with Ren to the Navy Pier crowds while Sofia tails them. Aleksei monitors the feeds. Sebastian stays with me to hide the package and disappear the evidence.
The doorbell rings. I’m halfway down the stairs before the others move.
Lana bolts up, eyes wide.
“Stay here,” I tell her.
Ren steps in front of her, gun at his side. Sebastian disappears down the hallway. Sofia’s nowhere to be seen—but knowing her, she’s nearby, ready to strike. Aleksei pulls on his LED mask, checks the feed, mouthsCaruso, and slips away.
I flick off the safety of my gun and open the door.
Gabriel Caruso stands there in a perfectly tailored navy suit, holding a bouquet of pink peonies and a bottle of champagne like he’s auditioning for a dating show. Behind him, the Scheduler hovers. He adjusts his horn-rimmed glasses and narrows his eyes at me.
“What are you doing here?” My hand drifts to my waist.
Gabriel’s gaze flickers to the motion. Then he grins, charming and lethal all at once.
“Not very polite, Elias. It’s a special day for your wife, isn’t it?” He raises his gifts. “Thought we’d drop by and extend our…warmest wishes.”
“Warm wishes fromthe Carusos? We’re honored.” My tone is flat.
“Invite us in, won’t you?”
I pause, measuring him. The Carusos are calm and low profile. They won’t risk a massacre in broad daylight. But it’s odd they’re visiting today, of all days.
He lifts his hands in mock surrender. “Friend, not foe. And you’ll want to hear what I have to say.”
