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“How would you feel if I did that to you?”

“You are in security, Astrid. The fact that you haven’t yet is a bit disheartening.”

She started tapping her hand on her leg. “I didn’t know your last name.”

“You were too busy trying not to encounter us, which I can understand. What Idon’tunderstand is how you can be so reckless. What was your plan going in there?”

“I didn’t have one. What was yours? And why did they know you?”

“I told you we are working on a branch of my organization here.”

“I thought that it was supposed to save people like me.”

“That’s what we do behind the scenes. If you want to run a successful international business, you have to have services or products that people want. And that gives me a great cover for the things that are important to my family.”

Astrid sat back, her eyes watching the world around them. They were near her house. “You bought me dinner. How about I return the favor by making you breakfast?”

“That’s not a good idea.”

“Because of the curse?”

“Yes.”

Astrid looked over at him. “Do you think I’m cursed?”

He pulled into the driveway but didn’t immediately respond. “Here you go. Have a good day, and please, be much more careful. It was incredibly fortunate and very unlikely that I would have been onsite when you were. That kind of luck isnotgoing to hold.” He got out of the car and started walking around the car, but Astrid didn’t wait. She opened the door before he reached her side.

“I can open my own door.”

He held up his hands, then returned to his side of the car. Before Phoenix got into it, she asked, “Do you think I’m cursed?”

His blue eyes were pained as he looked at her. “No, you would know if you were.”

“My mother left when—"

He shook his head. “Not now.”

“What do you mean, not now?”

The way he glanced around them made it clear. Phoenix did not want to discuss it out in the open. He then got into the driver’s seat.

Astrid turned around, holding her door open. “What do you know about what happened to Evander? Please.”

She noticed his knuckles turning white on the steering wheel, and his strong jaw was tight. “I… I don’t have the answers you need.”

“What about the answers I want?”

Phoenix looked over at her. “I don’t think I’m the best person to talk about your brother.”

“Do you feel responsible for his death?”

He stiffened, then looked away. “I don’t see how that’s relevant, and I really do have things I need to do today.”

Astrid got back into the passenger seat. “I know I have been pretty horrible to you, and I am sorry. But the fact is you knew my brother.” She bit her lip. “I don’t have anyone else I can talk to about him.”

Phoenix finally looked over at her. “Spending time with me is a terrible idea.”

“I’m not worried about any curse.”