Page 138 of Cruelly Bitten

“Perhaps you, Ryder, and Damien should get on a plane instead,” Hazel interjected, clearly having recognized Damien’s Texan drawl.

Or perhaps his words gave him away since Ryder only had one progeny.

“I prefer in-person discussions over virtual communications. You never know who you’re really talking to unless they’re right in front of you,” she went on.

A fair assessment.

But the invitation to visit had me on edge.This could be a trap, I told Calina.

It could also be an opportunity. Why would Cam choose to go there?

I don’t know,I admitted, thinking through potential strategies that could involve Hazel.I suppose it could be location based. Her region is close to the Vatican.

When I considered the areas around Italy, Hazel would be the region I’d choose in Cam’s situation, assuming I couldn’t fly somewhere else.

“Chaos is on the horizon, Jace. I’m not interested in playing politics or engaging in games. Either join me in Deirdre City or don’t. I’m giving Cam a day to recover—primarily for Ismerelda’s sake—then I plan to meet with him.”

“For Izzy’s sake?” Damien echoed, his bored expression melting into brotherly concern. “What do you mean?”

“I mean she was unconscious and reeked of blood when Cam arrived. Or that’s what I’ve been told, anyway. I don’t know what happened, but it was clear they needed space for healing. So Deirdre supplied them with a suite and left Cam alone.”

“How do we reach them?” Damien demanded. “I want to talk to my sister.”

“Then get on a plane,” Hazel returned, her gaze holding mine via the screen. “Your jet has clearance for a visit. Rooms will be prepared at Deirdre Tower. Use them or don’t.”

Damien moved forward just as Hazel cut the call, his expression furious. “Call her back. No. Fuck that. Call Deirdre.”

He returned to his console while he spoke, his fingers flying over the keyboard to bring up my personal contact book on the screen.

“We need to have a conversation about you hacking into my electronics,” I told him. “That’s not why you’re here.”

“That’s precisely why I’m here,” he countered, the phone ringing already. “It was that or return to Ryder’s compound, and you wanted everyone here. So I am making use of the connections I have to work with. And why the fuck isn’t she answering the phone?”

“I’m going to assume Hazel instructed her not to,” I replied, my hands slipping into the pockets of my slacks.Can you go find Ryder for me, Calina? I suspect he’s the only one who will be able to talk Damien off a ledge right now.

Or he’ll give him a gun and tell him to carry on,Calina murmured.The latter seems more likely.

Then perhaps you can talk with Darius about preparing the jet?I suggested.

She looked at me.If you’re worried for my safety, just say so. No need to task me with distractions to convince me to leave the room.

Useful distractions,I rephrased for her.Because we really do need Ryder and to prepare the jet.

Am I coming with you?A hint of blue flashed in her eyes as she asked me that, her wolf side clearly at the forefront of her mind.

Yes,I decided after considering the options. We might be flying into a trap. Or this entire charade could be a distraction meant to leave my region vulnerable.

There were a lot of possible considerations as far as motives went.

However, one aspect of it all was very clear to me—I didn’t want to go anywhere without Calina. Not with how potentially volatile everything was at the moment.

I imagine the others would feel similarly about their own mates right now, too.

We needed to stick together, not separate.

Calina must have heard the resolve in my mind because she nodded.I’ll let Darius know we need to prep the jet for a bigger party. Hazel saidrooms, so she must be expecting a large arrival.

I could warn her, but I suspect she won’t answer the phone,I said, following Calina’s train of thought.She didn’t define how many of us are invited, so I just assumed we are all welcome.