“Hello, Stan.” Did Bass tell his father I nearly choked him to death?
“Killian, you took my private jet to the Dominican Republic?”
Gloria, his assistant, helped me with the arrangements, so it wasn’t surprising that he knew. “Yes, sir. I would have booked a commercial flight, but it was last minute.”
Lexi wandered inside, her face souring when she realized who had called. She snatched her bag off the ground, tossed it on the bed, and rummaged through her things.
“I hope that’s okay, Stan. I just?—”
“It’s fine, Killian. Actually, it’s perfect.”
My brows dipped as I strode into the bathroom to grab a towel, wrapping it around my waist. Stan’s unexpected phone call had burst my sexual fantasy bubble. “Why?”
“I need you to handle an important job as a favor for an Ascended,” Stan said.
“Who?”
“Don’t worry about that.”
As my stepfather explained the job that had suddenly landed in my lap, I wondered if it was a coincidence that we ended up here. When I mentioned the subject of our project, Gloria suggested Santo Domingo and Casa de Campo because I’d already stayed there plenty of times.
Or maybe it was because she knew the spot would be perfect for Stan.
“You are to retrieve a marked envelope with extremely sensitive information the target is using to blackmail one of us. I’ll email you the layout and the code to the safe you need to locate.”
So much for escaping my life for a few days.
“Someone will deliver two counterfeit invitations to a party at a private villa owned by the target,” Stan continued. “Make sure you bring your guest. It’ll look less suspicious than showing up alone. A pretty woman always makes for a good distraction.”
My stomach knotted, and I braced my hands on the marble counter. If Stan knew Lexi was my guest, he wouldn’t want her anywhere near this. He’d also rip me a new one for hanging out with the girl who’d accused him of sexual assault.
“Oh, and Killian?” Stan paused. “Don’t read the information. It’s best if you don’t know.”
I hung up the phone and marched out of the bathroom as Lexi sat on the bed, flipping through her Geology notebook. “We’re going to a party.”
Her eyebrows slammed together. “I thought we were here to work on our project.”
“We will tomorrow.”
She tossed her notebook aside and crossed her arms. “One call from your stepfather and you suddenly drop everything?”
My jaw clenched as I stomped to my suitcase. “It’s not like that.”
Actually, it was, but I didn’t have a choice. Even if this had nothing to do with the Serpents & Daggers and was simply a personal request from Stan, I’d still be obligated to do it.
“This has something to do with whatever vile secret society you’re in, right? Is he part of it, too?”
I ignored her dangerous questions and sent a text to Maria. I didn’t bring a suit, and Lexi sure as hell didn’t bring a cocktail dress, but Maria would know where to get something at such short notice.
“I’m not doing a damn thing for that man,” Lexi snapped, scrambling off the bed. “I’d rather die.”
An invisible band tightened around my chest as my anxiety attempted to suffocate me. She had no idea how easily that could be arranged by someone in the brotherhood. Especially Stan.
“You’re going to this party, Red. I’m not asking.”
An angry flush spread over her cheeks. “That man destroyed my innocence, and I’ll be damned if?—”
“Stop lying!” I tossed the phone onto the bed to avoid crushing it as fury hemorrhaged through my bloodstream. “Why are you still spouting that bullshit after all these years? It’s over. Just stop.”
