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Harlen stepped forward, suddenly alert and hopefully ready to back me up again. “Wait, are you serious? She had complete knowledge of the property’s location?”

“Yes.” Zand turned back to face us. “She was one of only three people who knew about it outside of this room.”

“And did she know you were taking me there?” I pressed, feeling the momentum shifting.

“Not at first. She thought I was taking Chanel there. I changed my mind and placed you and Harlen there instead. That location was always an option very early on.” The words fell from his lips. “Layla arranged for the caretaker to stock the kitchen before your arrival. I knew you would need human food.”

I could almost see Zand’s mind working, reassessing conversations, meetings, casual interactions that might have revealed more than intended.

“It could still be coincidence.” Harlen half-heartedly offered, and I wanted to crack him over the head.

“One coincidence is happenstance. Two is concerning.” Zand’s hand moved to his phone. “Three would be an enemy action.”

He pressed a button on his desk phone. “Natasha. Come.”

“King.” She answered him with one word.When did people start calling him King?

“I need you in my office. And bring Layla with you. Tell her it’s about an upcoming event. Use the private elevator.” He disconnected without waiting for a response.

The satisfaction of being taken seriously mingled with my growing anxiety about what might happen next. I’ve started something now, something that couldn’t be stopped.

“What if I’m wrong?” I whispered to my maker.

“Then we’ll know soon enough.” He responded quietly. “But if you’re right...”

Zand interrupted our side conversation. “If Morgan is right, then Layla has been feeding information to Teresa. Information that led to Morgan’s death. Information that puts my fiancée in danger.” He looked directly at me. “If you’re right, Layla will be dealt with.”

Zand’s words should have horrified me. A week ago, they would have. But now, with vampire instincts coursing through my body, I felt a dark satisfaction. Justice was coming, one way or another. If Layla had a hand in my death, I gave zero fucks about her life.

“I understand.” I said. I wanted him to know that I was a team player.

Zand moved back behind his desk. “Good. Because in my world, betrayal has only one sentence.” He opened a drawer, removing his Cripo Glock and placing it on the desk’s surface. “And it’s always the same.”

We settled in to wait for Natasha to arrive with Layla. My accusation had set things in motion. I was going to look like a crazy person or a valuable asset to my new family. It was vindication or embarrassment. Deep down in my new vampire core, I knew which outcome we were about to face. I didn’t knowwhy, but I’d never been more certain of anything in my life—or my death.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

MORGAN

The knock on the office door cut through the silence like a blade. There were three precise taps. Zand called for them to enter, his voice deceptively casual as he slipped the Cripo Glock into his desk drawer and out of immediate sight.

I retreated to a corner of Zand’s office. I positioned myself where I could observe everything without being the focus of attention. Harlen took a seat on a couch that was away from Zand’s desk, but closer to him than me.

Natasha ushered Layla into the room. What struck me about the blonde PR manager was how she appeared. Her posture was impeccable. Facial expression was professionally pleasant. Her sleek, designer black dress was immaculate. You’d never guess she was the reason I died on a Michigan sidewalk not long ago. But I guessed it.

“You wanted to see me about an upcoming event?” Layla asked, her accent fading slightly as she addressed Zand.

Her eyes briefly perused Harlen and then me. From my corner, I eyeballed her. I saw concern crossing her European features. Then her professional mask slid back into place.

“Please, sit down.” Zand motioned to the chair across from his desk, the one I had vacated seconds ago.

Zand’s voice carried a practiced and patient charm he used with his employees. He used it with me. Did that mean I was an employee now? I knew he was in charge of us vampires, but was he my boss?

Natasha didn’t leave the office. She positioned herself near the door. Her stance was casual, like she wasn’t blocking the exit when she was, in fact, blocking the exit.

Layla settled back into the chair. She crossed her long legs. “Mr. Valentine, is something wrong? The club seems to be running smoothly tonight.”

“Actually, I wanted to discuss some security concerns.” Zand began. He leaned forward with his elbows on the desk. “Information has been leaking from The Castle. Very sensitive information.”