“No, we’re fine. Ye should open this. Gran said ye shouldn’t wait.”
I walk over to the island where she has placed the box. Placing the water down, I then reach to take the lid off. I gasp and step back once it’s open. Then I toss the lid aside and peek back into the box.
“Damn, that’s morbid,” Callum mutters.
“Gran said ye would know what it means.”
I knit my brows. In the box on a black velvet pillow sits a gold crown. On the pillow, in the center of the crown, is a black apple with worms crawling out of it. Beside the apple is atimepiece, and resting against the side of the box is a pistol with a suppressor.
“Well, what does it mean?”
“Um, I think the apple symbolizes New York. The Big Apple. However, it’s black and rotten and the worms are coming out. A sign of death.
“It’s black, so Black Death. The pistol and suppressor, that’s a symbol of silence. Hush,” I mumble to myself.
“If he’s my king, that makes me … It means it’s time. I’m finally going to New York,” I say with a smile.
“Ach, our bags are in the car. We’ll be waiting,” Callum says and turns to walk out.
“I’ll help ye,” Blair says excitedly.
I look between the two as Callum walks away. I think I’m still missing something. What are they doing here?
Brooklyn
“We’re boarding the plane,”Callum grumbles.
“Good, everything is taken care of. I’ll send you a text with where she needs to be for her interview. Someone will meet you when you land with a care package.”
“Fine. Thanks,” he says and hangs up.
I haven’t made up my mind about the kid yet. He has a bit of an attitude. Given who he is, I’ll give it a pass for now.
Only for now. I was surprised to get a call from Phoebe Romaine with instructions on what to do next. Everything was so detailed.
I followed her instructions right away. Ewan seemed to be waiting for my call. He informed me that the two trainees Phoebe had him raise beside DJ would be accompanying her to New York, Callum and Blair.
My head is still spinning. How long has this been going on? There is way more going on here than I know about. I still have more questions than answers.
Once I hung up with Ewan, I made my next call. I contacted my cousin Felix to have him call in a favor with Valentina Donati. I need her to hire DJ when she arrives.
This was a nonnegotiable for Phoebe. She said it had to be Valentina Donati. She also said it would all work out once the two met.
I only hesitated for a moment as her words came off cryptic. However, I have done all of this because Phoebe Romaine has saved my life within the last month. One phone call kept me from losing my life.
I haven’t questioned a word she has said since. I may not know Uri or Val well, but I’ve heard the names. If she says DJ needs to work for them, I know it’s for a reason. A reason that might save her life someday.
I will never ignore anything that could save that woman’s life. Deja will be here soon, but I still have things to do. I clear my thoughts and look across my desk.
Nakim is on his tablet, carrying out the tasks I’ve given him. He was already with me when Phoebe made the call. I’m at one of our Cali warehouses making sure shit is running as it should while I’m in town.
“Have a dozen burgundy roses sent to the apartment. I want them waiting there when she arrives,” I say.
“You want me to handle anything else?”
“Nah, head out. Thanks.”
He nods and drops his tablet into his lap before he turns his wheelchair around and heads out of my office. Nakim will always have a place with me. I take care of my friend, and he takes care of me.
