Page 40 of Wounded Hearts

Roz moved into the reception area with Mara behind her and patted the big black German Shepherd who lounged at Celeste’s feet. “Hey, Samson, you teaching those puppies who’s boss?”

The Fortis receptionist rolled her eyes. “Your brother is worried the puppies are going to tire Samson out. Honestly, this dog training programme may have been a mistake. We only have two and Zin is acting like we have the entire Met Police Force Dog Squad to train.”

“If anyone can get him to calm his tits then it’s you, my dear sister.”

“Yeah, maybe we need some alone time.”

Celeste waggled her eyebrows and Mara found it hard to believe the tiny woman she’d met a few days ago, with the red Wizard of Oz shoes and polka dot dress, could handle a man as scary as the big Russian.

“Gross, that’s my brother you’re talking about.” Roz pulled a horrified face and moved away.

Mara smiled at Celeste and followed Roz.

“And, Roz,” Celeste called as they reached the far door, “you’re not my sister until your brother pulls his finger out and names a date.”

Roz shook her head and rolled her eyes at Mara. “They got engaged about six months ago and Zin has this big surprise wedding in store for her, but she’s fucking it up by trying to get him to name a date.”

“Wow, that’s brave. If it’s a surprise how come you just told me?”

Roz shrugged. “Figured I owed you after being a bitch, and I trust you.”

“Well, lucky for you, you can.”

Roz laughed as she sat at the long table where all this had begun. “Look at you, getting all snippy already. Was a time when just my name made my Zenobi girls nervous, and here you are with a fire in your belly already.”

“Yeah, well, you don’t scare me.”

“That’s because I like you, Mara. If I didn’t, you’d be pissing your pants.”

Mara said nothing believing every word the woman said.

Roz flattened out the prints to Blaisdon House and Mara forced herself to look at them, pushing away the bad memories that flashed in her mind like a movie.

“This is different.” She pointed to the prints and explained to Roz the differences. “Brayden had some work done on the interior. In fact, do you have a computer I can use? The plans should be registered with the council.”

Roz pushed a laptop towards her, and Mara quickly logged on to the website and checked. “Um, here they are. He had to go through rigid controls because the house is listed, giving it protected status.”

Roz sat forward. “Oh, this is useful. Can you print that off?”

“Sure, give me a second.” Mara pressed print and listened as a machine in the corner of the room whirred to life.

“Does that help?”

“A lot, thanks.”

Mara and Roz looked up in surprise as they heard feet thundering down the hallway outside the room. “What the fuck?”

Roz ran to the door and pulled it open, her hand already holding a gun she’d produced from god knew where. “Zin?”

Mara peered over Roz’s shoulder and saw Zin turn from the front entrance. “Roz.”

Mara didn’t know him well, but he looked pale.

“What the fuck is going on?”

“It’s Lucy.”

His voice shook slightly, and Mara felt her stomach cramp in fear. Roz seemed to hear it too because without any more said, the three of them raced for the tech room.

Mara threw the door open and saw Lucy sitting on the floor, looking pale with blood on her hands and between her legs. As Lucy’s terrified face moved to them seeking help and reassurance, Mara knew the fire inside her was alive because as the two operatives froze, her medical training kicked in and she strode towards Lucy.

“I need Jace. Get Jace.” Lucy cried with absolute heart-breaking terror in her voice.