Page 188 of A Vicious Love

“Unnecessary,” I repeated.

Reeves nodded. “Intrusive.”

Unfucking believable.

The Bellemeres did not think like Crows. They had no idea how many ways a girl could be taken, shot, drugged, drowned, locked in a room, poisoned by a glass of lemonade, or pushed off a fucking scenic overlook.

Sienna had been here for days.

I had left her available, the realization hit with enough force that my lungs tightened. My enemies knew she was mine. I went to try to call her again.

My phone had no signal. Of course it didn’t. I stared at the useless black screen and felt something old and ugly wake under my ribs.

“I want the tech fixed.”

Reeves looked at me then. “If you roll Crow tech across their grounds without permission in the first five minutes, you’ll start a family conflict before seeing her.”

I glared at him.

He returned his attention to the tablet. “I’ll establish private communication from the vehicle array first. Low footprint. No visible sweep.”

The cars stopped before the main house.

The Bellemeres received us with old wealth polish.

Sienna’s father came down the steps first. Her mother stood slightly behind him. The Family gathered near the terrace.

“Jamison,” Sienna’s father said. “This is unexpected.”

Reeves stepped out behind me, tablet in hand, eyes already moving over rooflines and access points.

The father’s gaze flicked to him. “And Mr. Calder.”

Reeves inclined his head. “Mr. Bellemere.”

“Your presence is rather unnecessary, isn’t it? This is a family retreat, not a Crow security operation.”

I hated anyone, that treated my second as a paid bodyguard. Reeves was used to being insulted by men who mistook restraint for rank.

He didn’t care.

I, unfortunately for everyone, fucking cared.

“Say that again,” I said.

Sienna’s father looked back at me. For half a second, the old wealth mask slipped. Fear suited him better.

He recovered quickly. “I only meant your second hand needn’t trouble himself. We have staff for arrangements.”

“Reeves is not staff.”

A few people near the terrace went quiet.

“Jamison.” Reeves said.

I ignored him.

Sienna’s mother lifted her chin. “No insult was intended.”