Page 23 of King of Malice

“Get answers?”

“A few,” he replies so that I can hear the grimace. “He slipped and used the ‘she’ pronoun. And whoever she is, he’s interested. I can tell by how defensive he got on her behalf. This isn’t just a job, he likes her, so getting him to give up her name is going to be challenging.”

I frown. Men get very protective when their heart or their cock are involved. Fuck. I could use force, but breaking those sorts of laws can have real and immediate complications. Ones I don’t need.

“The Kincaids have all kinds of intel collection devices. I’ll callthem to see if we can have that meeting tonight. Add this to the agenda.”

Trent pauses. “You think they’ll help you? After all they think you’ve done?”

“It’s worth a try.”

“Instead of involving them,” he says sounding tense and leery, “I can call Zane and have him check Cadence’s phone. Identify her female callers.”

“We will if we have to, but I’d prefer not to interrupt his work unless absolutely necessary.”

“Understood.” Trent clears his throat, like he’s gearing up to say something else.

I straighten as I wait. Trent’s been a good number two. We aren’t friends, but we share a common goal, making my father pay, and that has kept us bonded together.

“About this plan to speak with the Kincaids. I’m not certain?—”

My eyes narrow as I try to understand his opposition. He’s never questioned me like this before, and he’d usually be in favor of turning enemies into powerful friends. “What don’t you like about it?”

“They’re as likely to use the meeting to strike against you as they are to listen.”

I let out a long breath of air. I need allies. My father has them in spades. In addition, it was my father who poisoned them against me in the first place. He either wishes for them to kill me, or he just doesn’t want me having powerful friends. Either way, I’d be smart to undo my father’s work. But I don’t explain that to Trent.

The decision is mine to make and the risk is mine to take. “Noted.”

I hang up the phone, drawing in a breath. It’s not a meeting I’m looking forward to. These men think I’ve committed a great many atrocities against them. I’ve allowed it because I wasn’t ready to move against my father. Now I am.

Pressing Triston Smith’s name in my phone, I listen to the ringing of the line. “Dimitri,” he rumbles into the line with his smooth British accent.

I have to give the Smiths credit in one department, their ability toglide through any situation with manners and grace has made them major players.

“Triston,” I reply. “How come the wedding plans?”

“Mine? Excellent. My brother Ryker is a bit more anxious about his. When does he get to meet his bride?”

“Actually, I’m hoping to discuss that very topic with you. Any chance you can meet tonight?”

“Just me?”

“No…” This moment has been a long time coming. “I’d like Ryker, Killian, Mason, and Jake there minimally.”

“That’s a lot of men to get together tonight.”

“It’s very important information.” Once I make this move, there is no going back. I know that.

“How important?”

I blow out a breath. “Life-changing.”

Triston pauses. “You better not be shitting me, Dimitri.”

“I’m going to pull the skeletons from the closet. It will move all of us forward.” That is the complete truth, and he must hear it, because he grunts.

“I’ll make it happen, but I choose the location.”