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Elliott let out a humph. “You aren’t much older than they are.”

Phoenix looked at him askance. “I’m older than Cooper.”

Elliott frowned. “Really? I thought… There’s quite an age difference between you and your brothers.”

“Indeed.”

Astrid watched them for a minute. “Ok, how do you not know how old he is?” she asked, pointing at Phoenix.

Elliott looked over at him. “I only started getting to know him a few months ago when there was an… incident up in Canada. I worked with one of his brothers and then ended up getting roped into this mess.”

Phoenix laughed. “You make it sound like you weren’t interested.”

For a second, a smile flashed over the cherubic-looking face. “Well, I didn’t say I wasn’t interested.”

“The number of women you get to harass – sorry, the number of women you get to try to observe was too much of a draw.”

Astrid looked between the two men. “You guys aren’t together.”

Phoenix looked over at her. Elliott said, “He’s not my type.”

This made Phoenix laugh. Astrid looked between the two of them. “How is that funny?”

“It’s not.” Elliott frowned. “Just because you are cursed doesn’t mean that you can go around laughing at the misfortunes of others.”

Phoenix’s smile faded. “I suppose you are right. Carrying the curse Gavin passed onto you is more than enough to earn you pity.”

“Oh – shut up,” Elliott said, flopping back in his seat.

A waitress came up to the table, and Phoenix ordered for the three of them. After she left, he looked at Elliott. “I’m sorry.”

He sniffed again, almost looking like he was pouting.

Astrid looked between the two of them. “So, curses are real?”

Elliott looked up at her, his interest a bit muted. “Yes.”

“And Phoenix is cursed?”

Elliott nodded as Phoenix just looked down. Neither of them offered any answers, so Astrid asked, “What kind of curse?”

Elliott’s eyes darted over, but when Phoenix still wouldn’t look up, he said. “No one can get close to him.”

“Or what?”

“They die.”

Astrid sat back. “How is that possible? Doesn’t that mean… I mean, he runs a company.”

“He’s not…”

“That’s quite enough.” Phoenix’s voice was low but cut through the conversation. “We aren’t here to talk grudges, curses, and personal business. This is supposed to be about the organization and getting to the root of the problem here. So, unless you want me to start talking about Alina,” he finally looked up at Elliott, “or Evander,” his gaze turned to Astrid, “I recommend we stay focused.”

Astrid felt her stomach drop, and she was about to say something when Elliott gripped the table. “There’s nothing to say about Alina.” He looked angry.

“Yes, Elliott, there’s a lot to say about Alina. But you keep your mouth shut about me, and I’ll keep my mouth shut about you.”

“I don’t have to help you.”