Page 5 of 1001 Dark Nights: Bundle Forty-Two

“You know that’s not what he meant,” Aaron said. “But he’sright that insurance won’t cover—”

“Insurance has no idea that we’re aware of a threat.” I lookbetween all the men, daring them to challenge me again. “I am going to thatcon. You can have security hanging from the ceiling if you want to, but I willbe there.”

Matthew stares daggers at me. “Those things are crowded andcrazy and—”

“And important to my fans.”

“They’ll survive.” His voice is hard and firm. “Don’t youthink they’d rather you be alive than—”

“They want to meet me. They paid money to meet me, and—”

“She’s right.”

I whip around to gape at Simon. “Damn right, I am,” I say.“But, um, I’m surprised you’re agreeing with me.”

He meets my eyes. Holds them. One second, then another.

I look away. What the hell is wrong with me? I never lookaway.

Ryan clears his throat. “Honestly, I’m surprised, too.Simon, explain.”

Simon glances once more at me, but this time I don’t meethis gaze. Then he reaches for the piece of paper I received that morning. Apale brown sheet with thick lines that looks like it was ripped from the kindof Big Chief notebook that little kids use. “You tell, or you die.”He reads the words scrawled in awkward handwriting, presumably from someoneusing their non-dominant hand.

“Thank you, but I can read,” I snap.

“Dammit, Ms. Muratti. Someone’sthreatening to kill you.” His tone brings me up short. For a moment, I think he might actually care ifthat happens. Then again, I suppose my death would be a professionaldisappointment.

I flash him my most dangerous glare. “Do you think I don’tknow that? Do you think I’m not scared? Of course, I am. But I meant what Isaid. Those fans deserve to see me. Some of them have traveled from othercountries, and I’m not letting them down. I thought you were on my—”

“I’m not asking you to let them down. And if you’d quitbeing enchanted by the sound of your own voice—”

“What the hell?”

“And listen, you would know that I amnot suggesting you stay away. It’s fine for you to attend the con. With me asyour escort, of course. And a team in the background, just in case.”

“Are you crazy?” Matthew asks, at the sametime that Aaron says, “Whoa—wait just a damn minute.”

“I can go?” I’m totally revising my opinion of this guy.

“Simon,” Ryan says, his voice mild. But there’s an edge toit.

“No,” Simon snaps back. “You assigned me this case. I’mrunning it my way, or you assign someone else.”

I see a muscle twitch in Ryan’s cheek. “Then tell us whatyou’re thinking.”

“It’s tomorrow. This event she’s going to is tomorrow.” Hespreads his hand and shrugs as he looks at everyone, as if that explainseverything.

It doesn’t, but since I have no intention of saying anythingto turn Simon off of the Let’s Go To Con plan, I saynothing. Damien Stark, however, isn’t so trusting. He leans back in his chair,cocks his head, and says, “Explain.”

Simon exhales loudly, and right then, I know that he thinkshe’s the smartest person in the room. Which, if he convinces the others he’sright, I’ll be prepared to agree with. Damien, however, isn’t used to beingbehind the curve, and I can see the curiosity—and the frustration—on thatgorgeous face.

“The damn letter came today. Today.Now maybe the sender is just a one hundred percent whack job, but let’s assumethere’s a shred of rationality. If so, he’s not going to make his move justyet.”

Ryan nods slowly. “He’ll give Frannie time to not onlydecide what to do, but also to figure out what it is she’s supposed to tell.You’re certain you don’t know?”

“You’ve all asked me that a hundred times,” I say. “I toldyou. No idea. I mean, yeah, I know some scandalous shit—youcan’t work in this industry at the level I do and not hear stuff—but nothing Ican imagine anyone would kill for.”

“Whoever sent that note must know that. He—or she,” Simonadded, “will have factored that in. He’ll give you time to think before he getsdangerous. I’d bet my reputation on it.”