Chapter Twenty-Three
Jacob extended a hand to Allison, helping her from the limousine. “I must say, darling,” he drawled as he pulled her arm into the crook of his elbow, “when you said you had a surprise for me, this was not exactly what I’d anticipated. But at least now I know why you insisted on bringing a full security detail with us.”
He eyed the half dozen Faithful whom Allison had persuaded him to bring along with them. They stood at attention, their eyes hidden behind their dark sunglasses, even though the sun was sinking below the horizon. “Always good to have a little extra muscle when I’m entering the mouth of hell.”
She beamed up at him. “I think you’ll enjoy this more than you think.”
He eyed the steps to the abandoned observatory where his grandfather and the other Illuminati held their court. “Being called to the carpet by my grandfather has never been one of my favorite pastimes.”
“He didn’t call this meeting,” Allison told him, tugging him up the steps. “I did.”
Jacob’s steps slowed, his blood running cold as he turned his gaze on his wife. “You didwhat?”
She arched a brow. “I called the meeting. I thought it was time that you discussed a few things with the entire council. They have ignored you for far too long, Jacob. It’s time to make a statement.”
Jacob jerked her to an abrupt halt. “What the hell is that supposed to mean? What have you done?”
She sighed and gave him a patient look, stopping just short of rolling her eyes. “We’re just going to have a conversation.” She patted him lightly on the chest. “And I’m sure you’ll be more than satisfied with the outcome.”
Jacob grunted, knowing his grandfather far too well to believe that any conversation that involved Jacob’s place among the Illuminati would end well. More than likely this little stunt of Allison’s was going to end up getting him exiled completely instead of only partially. In fact, hadn’t his grandfather been more than clear on that issue during his last little visit to the court?
He was on the verge of demanding they leave that very moment, but as soon as the thought crossed his mind, he realized standing up the council would be just as detrimental to his future. They didn’t take kindly to being inconvenienced—pompous asses, the lot of them.
He spat a curse, then took a deep breath, pausing a moment to straighten his cuffs and smooth his jacket before squaring his shoulders and offering his arm to Allison once more. “Well, then, I suppose we shouldn’t keep the council waiting.”
They entered the building, their detail following a few steps behind. Jacob had to admit, he and his entourage were an impressive sight as they entered the inner sanctum. Light from the torches that blazed in their wall mounts danced eerily upon the cavern walls like worshippers caught in the grip of orgiastic ecstasy.
He suppressed a shudder of foreboding and turned his attention to the raised platform at the other end of the room.
All five members of the council sat at the stone dais, their faces hidden in shadow beneath their black hooded cloaks.Ridiculous.As if he didn’t know what every single one of them looked like, for fuck’s sake. He’d grown up having to endure their tedious conversations at council dinners at his grandfather’s home in Georgetown. Before each of them lay a silver dagger, a symbol of the blood oath they’d taken when they’d ascended to the council.
And at each end of the dais stood the sentinels, ever watchful, ever silent. They never moved unless ordered by the council. No one but the council knew who they were, knew their names, saw their faces. Once Jacob’s father had called them assassins; he had refused to elaborate when Jacob pressed him for more information. In Jacob’s mind, these men were thetruemystery of the Illuminati.
“Jacob,” his grandfather drawled, drawing his attention. “I believe it was you who called this meeting via your secretary—”
“Hiswife,” Allison corrected, her tone icy.
The man grunted, clearly unimpressed with Jacob’s choice of brides. “As I was saying, I believe it wasyouwho had the audacity to call us here, so get on with it.”
Jacob cleared his throat, not quite sure what to say, seeing as how he was as much in the dark as they were. “Good evening, gentlemen. I appreciate your taking the time out of your busy schedule to—”
“Yes, yes,” his grandfather interrupted, waving Jacob’s words away. “Did you come here to kiss our asses or did you actually have something to discuss? If this is about the debacle with the Russians earlier this evening—”
“Sorry?” Jacob interrupted. “What debacle?”
Angus Stone laced his fingers over his stomach and leaned back in his chair, nodding. “Good. Plausible deniability. Excellent execution. That look of complete bewilderment will serve you well—you’ve certainly had enough practice perfecting it.”
Jacob blinked at him, wondering what the hell he was talking about, but forced a smile and inclined his head, acknowledging the compliment. “At least we can say I’ve learned something from you over the years.”
“Although I don’t care much for your methods, Jacob,” another of the council members added before his grandfather could respond, “I appreciate your using our enemies to eliminate the Russian problem. Kozlov was becoming too much of a renegade. His whole operation was growing difficult to control. Now that the Alliance has taken him out along with several of his men, we can install our own choice to run the business dealings in that area of the world.”
Kozlov is dead, then?
That meant his last direct link to the flash drive had been erased. Only the woman—Claire Davenport—remained. But she wouldn’t be as easy to get to, that was for damned sure. Will would have her under lock and key—provided she even knew anything. He’d have to resolve that loose end soon.
But tonight, there was something else brewing. He could feel Allison practically buzzing with anticipation. Her lips were pursed, unsuccessfully attempting to hide a smile.
Jacob laid a hand over his heart and offered a slight bow. “It is my pleasure to serve.”
