But I couldn’t find my voice, watching him intently.
Cliff slowly turned, glaring at Tammy. “You did this. All of this is because of you.”
“I told you,” Tammy said thickly, not quite looking at him. “My child was sick. I needed money, not to mention the resources Everett Pharmaceuticals could provide. Your father only wanted information on the hunters’ world in return.”
“It’s an empire built on blood, and youknewthat!” Cliff’s voice jumped to a roar.
Eros’ lazy posture melted away in a blink. He stood and took two quick steps forward, closing the distance between him and Cliff. He raised a hand, palm and fingers flattened to strike him across the face.
The blow never came, but Cliff flinched all the same.
“That’s what I thought,” Eros said, all mirth drained so quickly that it startled me—like the jovial, presumptuous pleasure was the true mask. “Watch your mouth, boy. Everything I do, I do for the good of humanity. For my family.”
“Family? You had me declareddead.You buried me—I saw the coverage.”
“Don’t tell me you’re about to cry.” His father searched his face, disgust crawling over his own features. “I didn’t raise a pussy.”
“Says the man who’s too scared to face me without a band of bodyguards,” Cliff said, eyes cutting toward Graham and the two other men.
Eros’ jaw ticked, a vein throbbing hideously in his forehead. For a moment, I thought he really would hit Cliff. Frost writhed up my arms, my own frantic breathing catching my ears. If he laid a hand on Cliff, I would no longer be able to remain passive, even if it risked us all.
My agitation drew Eros’ attention. Sickening intrigue lit his eyes as he observed me, his fury softening. Despite the terror making my head throb, I didn’t look away, but he still only spoke to Cliff. “How did you manage to get this one to be so loyal?”
I sensed how Cliff became even more wired on my behalf—the way his father spoke of me like I was a stray pet that had taken a liking to him. The shock of the assumption didn’t register for me, not after my interactions with Rhett.
A suddenbuzzinterrupted us. Eros pulled out his phone, his face darkening as he read the screen.
“Hey, Nobody,” he said, jutting his chin at Graham. “Got a report of Nowak and Rhodes on camera, stirring trouble in the east wing. Take care of them.”
“No,” Delilah breathed, her voice strangled.
Eros put a hand up, ignoring her otherwise. “Save the assets that you can. Eliminate any other issues while you’re at it.”
“Donotkill Jon Nowak,” Tammy snapped at Graham. “Do you understand?”
Eros sighed, giving a click of his tongue. “You forfeited any authority when you went behind my back, Tamara.”
“Jon will be useful,” she insisted, though the bite of emotion in her voice was unmistakable. “He has skills that take decades to hone—you can’t simply replace experience like that.”
At last, Eros’ eyes flickered to Cliff and searched. “Will you stop being a bitch about all of this if I let your friend come along?”
I trembled as Cliff said nothing, his breath heavy. Eros glanced at Graham, giving him a dismissive gesture.
“If Nowak puts up a fight, don’t be gentle,” Eros said. “But bring him in alive.” He raised his eyebrows at Tammy. “Any qualms about Rhodes?”
Relieved, Tammy did little more than scoff. “Couldn’t give less of a shit.”
“No!” Delilah snarled, but a guard shoved her back, aiming his gun at her head to keep her docile.
“Settle down, sweetheart—you and I both know he’s had it a long time coming,” Eros said, sparing her a glance.
Delilah and Ben shared panicked looks. Ben was so pale that it was a miracle he didn’t forget how to fly altogether.
Graham gave a curt, obedient nod. He checked his gun before exiting the room with purposeful strides.
Stars, I wished there was a way to warn Jon. But I had seen him fight monsters before–nightmares beyond imagination. He could handle just one more.
At least, that was my fervent prayer.
