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“You don’t have a choice. Just…do a good job, okay?”

He laughs…and then groans.

Sophia taps her fingers against her neck, thinking. “For what it’s worth, I don’t believe Gerald will kill Piper. He’s not above breaking the law, but he wants to save people—not murder them.”

Cassian lifts his head, eyes narrowed, looking thoroughly unimpressed. “You have a lot in common with your ex-boyfriend, don’t you?”

“Don’t start,” she warns him. “You broke our engagement, not me.”

“What did you even see in that man?”

“You want to know his best feature? He never tried to kill me!”

“I didn’t go through with it!”

“Enough.” Noah holds up his hand like he’s separating squabbling toddlers. “Fight later.”

As wedding nights go, this hasn’t been the best.

I hold my breath and then slowly exhale it. Then I ask Cassian,“You’re supposed to leave for Romania tomorrow, right?”

“Yes, my flight leaves in the morning.”

“So I’m safe tonight?”

“In theory,” Cassian says.

“Great.” I turn to Noah. “Can we go back to the hotel to try to salvage the rest of the evening?”

“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 feel off? ” 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 know I can’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.

Cassian feigns a smile like he’s hoping it will reach his voice. “I’ve been trying to get in touch with you.”

“Why would Jameson call him?” I whisper to Noah.

“I’m not sure.”

“I don’t suppose you’ve been keeping tabs on your son recently?” Cassian continues, pretending he doesn’t know about his friend’s involvement. He pauses, listening. “Sophia appears to be fine, but she was rattled.”

I glance at Sophia, gauging her reaction. Her eyes are on Cassian, her hand hovering near his arm like she wants to offer comfort but isn’t sure she should.

“Yes, I’m aware she might be involved, and I’m keeping an eye on her.”

The pretty vampire gasps, offended, dropping her hand with a scowl. Cassian shoots her a look as he listens to Jameson, silently telling her to be quiet.

“You know I can’t touch Gerald. Not without shooting myself in the foot. Call me cynical, but I very much doubt I’ll get the majority vote if I start killing off my competition. People tend to look down on that sort of behavior these days.”

Sophia turns back to Cassian, worrying her bottom lip between her teeth. She’s close enough she can hear the conversation, and something has caught her attention.

Cassian’s manner changes as well. It sharpens, becoming slightly less friendly.

“For now, we’ll watch over her, but I appreciate your offer.” Ending the call, he says, “See you in a few days.”

We’re all quiet as we wait for Cassian to put his thoughts in order.

“Well?” Noah asks.

“Jameson offered to put Piper under his protection.”

Noah’s answering growl is a little startling. “I’m sure he would like us to hand her over to him.”

Cassian nods, closing his eyes again.

The car comes to a stop in front of the hotel, and we leave the cool air conditioning and step into the sticky night. It feels like our beach wedding was ages ago, even if it was only a few hours.

On our way inside, Cassian coughs.

Just like yesterday, I think nothing of it, but everyone else stops in their tracks.

When I realize what’s going on, I turn back. “Why are you coughing?”

“Dust?” Cassian asks Noah, unnerved.

“What else could it be?” he responds.

Except Cassian looks weary. On impulse, I take several steps forward and place my hand on the vampire’s forehead. He steps back, startled to find me in his space.

“Cassian…” I lower my hand. “I think…I think you have a fever.”