Page 99

“We can try.” He takes my hand, guiding me out of the building.

NIHA officials and hunters mull around, avoiding eye contact as we leave. They likely witnessed everything that went down in the room—not that it does us a lot of good. Without a duke, NIHA is basically worthless. Right now, it’s each house for itself—like feuding warlords.

“Montgomery,” Harold says, running to meet us before we leave through the security gates. “I have good news for you—we have Richard.”

Sophia grabs Cassian’s arm, so relieved I think she’s going to topple over.

“Is he all right?” Noah asks.

“He appears to be,” Harold answers.

“Talk to the local police about temporary witness protection.”

“Already on it.”

As soon as we’re safely closed in the car, Sophia checks the partition and then turns to Cassian. “It’s Jameson.”

The vampire frowns. “What?”

“House Staulington,” she says, twisting her hands in her lap. “That’s who Gerald is working for. I didn’t dare say anything until NIHA found Richard.”

“Are you certain?” Cassian says, obviously not wanting to believe her.

“I’m positive, though I barely believe it myself.” Her eyes become haunted. “I only found out the day they made me participate in that awful phone call.”

Cassian makes a strangled noise, looking like the news is painful.

“I’m sorry,” she whispers.

Groaning, Cassian rests his head on the seat. He closes his eyes, staying silent as the car takes us back to Miami Beach.

“Hey,” I say to him after several minutes. “You okay?”

He lifts his head, frowning. “I feel a little off.”

“What do you mean you feeloff?” Noah demands.

“I probably haven’t been getting enough sleep.”

“Have you tried warm milk?” Sophia asks him.

He turns his head to study her for a few seconds, looking like he doesn’t want to answer. Finally, he says, “Not for ages.”

“I’ll have room service bring you some as soon as we get back to the hotel. You’ll sleep just like a baby.”

“Not on that couch, I won’t.”

“You knowIcan’t sleep on the couch. I have specific?—”

“Thread count needs,” he says wryly. “I’m aware.”

She wrinkles her nose and looks out the dark window, deciding to ignore him the rest of the way back.

At least it’s quieter.

We’re almost to the hotel when Cassian’s phone rings. He looks down at the screen, his face weary. Then he answers it. “Jameson.”

We all go tense as soon as we hear the name.