Page 152 of Nothing More

“Ugh.” Cassandra rolled her eyes, but at least put the phone down. Small victories. “You only agreed to get the tree because you didn’t want to look like a bi – like a grinch in front of that Greg guy. And then we had to move, so what’s the point? We might as well be in the Witness Protection Program, and what’s so Christmassy about that?”

Raven knew that none of this had been fun for Cass, but she hadn’t realized until now that Cass felt genuinely hurt about moving flats, abandoning their tree. Exercising none of the Christmas spirit in general. She didn’t know much about her holiday habits with her mother, but she knew she was falling down on the job rather spectacularly.

Raven sighed and leaned forward to rest her elbows on the counter. “I’m sorry we had to move, but it’s only temporary.”

“It was ‘only temporary’ last time, too, back in September. And now it’s not even three months later, and we’re on lockdown again.”

“I know. We have our dear brothers to blame for that, I’m afraid. But theyaretrying to keep us safe.”

“What’s the point of going to a fancy art prep school if I can’t evengo?”

“It’ll get better,” Raven said, lamely.

Cass snorted and glanced toward the terrace doors, where the glass was fogged against the cold outside. “What did you want to do? There’s all kinds of movies on.” She shrugged, expression closed-down, but she’d still made an effort; had still packaged away her hurt for the moment.

For all the teenage trouble she could be, she was, at heart, one of Devin’s brood, and her practical streak was getting wider all the time.

“What if we went to spend a few days at the clubhouse in Albany?” Raven said, and Cass whipped around, surprised. “Maverick assures me there’s multiple Christmas trees, and garlands, party lights: all the trimmings. The old ladies are baking, and there’s even to be a white elephant gift exchange.”

Cass looked interested – but wary. “This is just moving again, isn’t it?”

Clever girl. “Essentially, yes. We need to get Toly out of the city while the police try to pin the murder of that poor maid on the bratva, and what better place than a fully-fortified, well-guarded Christmas wonderland, hm? I know you’re going to miss your party at school–”

“And become a social pariah.”

“You’re a Green. Green’s always bounce back, darling. I’m sorry, but right now–”

“Yeah, yeah,fine. Whatever.” She heaved a deep sigh, but Raven caught a trace of sparkle in her gaze. Of interest. Cass always loved spending time with Dogs, as many as possible. She was probably hunting for a future husband among them, as much as that terrified Raven to think about…though she could no longer be as judgmental on that front as she’d once been.

“Excellent. I’ll let Maverick know to expect us.”

She fired off a text, then went to pack a few things. Tenny appeared in the open doorway of her room as she was zipping up her suitcase and said, “He’s in the parking deck. Just got back. I had to fucking sprint to the elevator to beat him here.”

Raven straightened, took a firm grip on her emotions. “Where did he go this time?”

Tenny’s face was unusually grave, that stern, concerned look he’d worn last night when he’d played at fraternal. “To see Dixon.”

The knowledge hit like a one-two punch, double the betrayal. “I was with her earlier. She didn’t say anything.”

“He went after you did, and maybe she won’t say anything at all. She’s cagey,” he said, disapproving.

“What on earth did he want to ask her about?”

“Dunno. But my guess is it was his old boss who sent him to her.”

~*~

Things were not spiraling out of control.

Toly stared at his distorted reflection in the wall of the elevator, where he was thankfully alone, and voiced it aloud. “You’re still in control.” His voiced echoed off the metal walls, hollow and unconvincing.

He pulled out the Stop Elevator button and called Misha, finger plugging up his other ear to hold out the gentle ringing of the elevator alarm.

He answered after the first ring. “What did you find?”

“Nothing good,” Toly said, grimly, half-shouting because of the alarm.

“Where are you?”