Page 114 of Dirty Hearts

My legs…shook. Weak and trembling.

Just like I knew Luc had spoken to Claudius earlier, I somehow knew that Luc already knew about Goliath.

That was what last night had been about. That was what had brought Claudius to the house at that late hour. He was talking about giving me normal and Luc staying by my side.

This was why.

Alex backed away and left us. Walking out the door.

I looked at Luc, feeling lightheaded.

Adrenaline took over, and I moved to go, to run to wherever I needed to, to find Claudius. But Luc caught me.

“Ava, no.”

“Something could happen to him.” I winced, drawing more attention to our little circle.

Luc put his arm around me and ushered me down to the corridor. There was no one there.

“Ava, you can’t just run out to wherever. There’s nothing you can do.”

“You… you have to go. Please. He needs you.”

Luc gave me a pained look. “Ava, my brother and I take promises very seriously. Our word is our word. That’s why we know that we can trust each other. I gave him my word that I would take care of the most important thing in this world to him. So, I’m here.”

Heat rushed to my cheeks, making my skin tingle. I didn’t know why it should surprise me.

Why would it?

“Me?” I wasn’t being big headed in thinking that the most important thing in this world to Claudius was me. I knew it.

He nodded and gave my shoulder a reassuring squeeze.

I tried to swallow, but cold fingers of fear gripped me, and I couldn’t get past the lump in my throat.

What if Claudius got himself killed?

It could happen.

Chapter 28

Claudius

* * *

This was it.

Déjà vu.

The same day all over again, only seven years later. Same story, same motives.

Cora had called us in this morning, and I’d heard it all.

Goliath’s plan.

The envoy had left from the military base in Lake County an hour ago. According to my eyes in the air, the truck carrying the nukes was going to pass by here in two minutes.

I was stationed on the bridge overlooking the flow of traffic below me. At the intersection was a van with the gas company logo on it. Two men dressed in black and orange suits had the road dug up. It had been like that already when we got here. All plans were set out to look like the everyday occurrence.