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"To determine my wife's loyalty. And if she's suitable...considering my line of work."

Another pause, longer this time. "One of Viktor Biancardi's secret half-sisters."

Sylvain wasn't surprised that Calixte knew of his blood debt to Biancardi. They had access to the same resources, and often crossed paths when working undercover, despite answering to different government authorities.

"Will that be a problem?" Even with his attention focused on their conversation, Sylvain noticed one of the janitors doing his best not to look his way, his mop passing over the same spot repeatedly. Sylvain made a mental note to have him checked. It was likely nothing, but one could never be too certain. It was why he had survived this long.

"Non, ce n'est pas le problème." There was a nuance in Calixte's voice that hadn't been there before. "Though marrying Biancardi's sister... an interesting choice."

"I don't need your approval, dauphin."

"You've never needed anyone's approval, Sylvain. That's what makes this call... intriguing."

Sylvain disliked the way Calixte's words were proving to be a puzzle to him. Marriage to Eden had clearly changed Calixte. The Prince of Killers had never been an open book, but now, he was just plain...unpredictable, dangerously so.

"Tell me," Calixte continued, the sound of a pen scratching against paper audible in the background, "what sort of tests are you envisioning?"

"Something comprehensive. Loyalty, intelligence, resilience under pressure."

"And what happens if she fails?"

"She will remain in my possession." On this part at least, Sylvain had no doubts. He only had to imagine Liana leaving him or being taken away by someone else, and he was ready to burn the entire world just to have her back.

"As what?"

"None of your business."

Silence stretched between them. A silence filled with unspoken judgment that Sylvain had not expected to find discomfiting.

"Comprendo." A shift to Italian, Calixte's way of signaling a change in his approach. "I'll have something for you by morning. But Sylvain..."

Sylvain had a feeling he would not like his friend's next words.

"Are you sure this is about her, and not about Annie?"

And he was right.

"Can I count on you with those tests, dauphin?"

Another pause.

"It will be as you will," Calixte said finally. "And I hope, for both of your sakes, it will work the way you expect."

****

THE DEVIL HAD COMEto torture him, and Sylvain was in agony, his mind replaying his phone call with the Prince of Killers even as he saw his wife start to sway in slow motion.

The gas filled Sylvain's lungs as he lunged toward Liana, but her body had already started to crumple. His movements felt sluggish, as if he were swimming through tar, each step requiring more effort than the last.

Something was wrong.

This was not supposed to happen.

His heart seized as he watched her fall, her dark hair fanning out around her like a halo of night. The look in her eyes as consciousness slipped away, confusion, shock, fear. But also...trust.

She trusted him.

Even when he didn't deserve it.