Page 95 of Kill for a Kiss

The contact laughs. “Didn’t that idiot shoot the wrong target?”

Stan flips the bird at the phone. “That wasonce. And he was being shifty.”

“You shot his foot, sniper muscle.”

“Shifty foot!”

“Focus,” I snap. “What do you have on Clo?”

The line goes quiet for a second before my contact sighs. “You’re not gonna like it.”

“Be more specific.”

“She’s smarter this time. Way more careful. Everything’s split into compartmentalized silos for finances, suppliers, and communications. And get this—she’s integrating biometric surveillance. I’m talking facial scans and DNA-locked doors.”

Stan whistles low. “Damn. That’s…insane.”

“She’s not alone,” the voice continues. “Looks like she’s getting help from someone with Darkhaven black market tech.”

I exchange a look with Stan. The pieces fall into place fast. “She’s working with Naomi,” I say out loud.

“Yeah, NaomiKnight,” my contact confirms. “Clo’s hosting what Naomi usually hosts herself. Ever heard of the annual Knight ‘charity’ gala?”

“Wait—mom’shostinga Knight gala?” Stan barks out a laugh. “Last year, she tried to spike the punch with a microdose of Kys and convinced two hedge fund CEOs to arm wrestle over an arms deal.”

“She usually goes?” I ask Stan.

“Every year,” Stan says. “Shows up in something skintight, flirts with a senator to make Dad jealous, wins a silent auction, then disappears with someone rich and dumb to trick them into doing something dumber, just so she can control ‘em.”

“This isn’t some party anymore,” I say. “If Clo’s hosting this onewithNaomi, it’s a social stunt and a message.”

My contact hums through the phone. “Power move. The queen’s coming back,provingshe’s stronger than ever, with allies on her side. Damon married into the Knights, and Clo gets access to Naomi’s resources and optics. They combine forces, throw a big shiny event, and every criminal and kingpin shows up to kiss the ring.”

“Let me guess,” Stan mutters. “Black tie, silent auction, blood money, and oh, look—a free party favor baggy of Kys on the way out.”

I pinch the bridge of my nose. “Do you know the date?”

“Nothing confirmed yet,” the contact replies. “But it’s soon. It usually takes place on Halloween night. And I’m hearing buzz about a ‘big reveal’. Something she wants to show off, big, loud, and flashy.”

Stan groans. “What, like a stage performance? Fireworks? A public execution?”

“Or arecapture,” I say slowly, my voice going cold. “Something to make her guestsreallybelieve she’s still in charge. Proof that Kys works fucking wonders. Pulls off miracles. Makes puppets of people.”

Stan pales. We both look toward the cabin.Elle.

“Keep your ear to the ground,” I tell the contact. “Anything moves, I want to know first.”

“Got it, rookie.”

I hang up. Stan exhales beside me, dragging a hand through his hair. “God, a gala. They’re gonna serve foie gras dipped in blood. They’d probably show pictures of the cute, chubby ducks when they were alive while they serve their juicy livers to assholes. Those jerks would eat that up.”

I give him a sideways look. “You done?”

“Nope,” he says too damn brightly. “But Iamready to crash a party.You got a tux that brings out my good side?”

“You don’t have a good side.”

“Idoin low light.” Stan smiles, chin up. “And, hey, if Clo’s throwing a party to show off how much she’s rebuilt, maybe we show her just how wrong she is.”