Page 24 of Twisted Ties

There is one person I would give anything to keep this secret from. Unfortunately, that is beyond my control. His spies and informants are far superior to the Chancellor’s. And while the doctors in that clinic may be too afraid to spread rumors, they’ll be more than one who will have been reporting to him as soon as I set foot in that clinic.

“Whatever you want,” I say.

“You want to keep it secret?” I simply stare at her. She tosses her head in annoyance.

“Whatever.”

“I don’t know how long I will be. Stone is going to come and–”

“I don’t need a babysitter.”

“Barone is still out there, Rhi.”

She grimaces. “I’m not frightened.”

“You should be.”

“Then if he’s so terrifying why are you leaving at all?” She scowls at me. “Or maybe you’re hoping this time, he’ll finish the job.”

I scowl straight back at her. Have I been acting like a man who wants her dead? I can barely keep my hands off her. If I had a choice, I’d be tossing her over my shoulderand into bed, not riding across the city for this damn stupid summoning.

Of course, I could, if I wanted to, simply ignore it, but I know that won’t end well.

“Don’t open the door to anyone but Stone. Don’t leave the house. Don’t even look out of the window.”

“Am I prisoner now?”

“It’s for your own safety. I’ll be back as quickly as I can.”

I lift my cloak from the back of a chair and fasten it around my neck.

She watches me, and I see the way her bottom lip quivers, along with her throat.

Does she want me to stay?

“I could come with you,” she says.

“No.”

“You can’t just order me about like this. Just because–”

I stalk towards her, cutting off her words. Bending down, I whisper right by her ear, noticing the way she shivers, “Are you sure?” I lift her chin and kiss her mouth. She doesn’t even try to fight it. She kisses me right back. “Stay safe, Rhianna,” I tell her, and then I leave.

As I slamthe door behind me, I curse Stone with every known swear word I possess. He said he’d be here on time. He said he’d be here to watch her. Okay, he was a hell of a lot reluctant. But he promised and I can’t afford to wait for him.

I don’t want to leave her on her own. But what choice do I have?

I peer along the street.

I’ve worked every contact I have for information onBarone. Nobody knows where he is. The man has the ability to disappear into thin air. Slither away into the shadows, waiting to strike again. Maybe my connections do know where he is. Maybe they aren’t telling me.

I find it hard to believe he’s in the city. Hard to believe he’d strike again so soon. He’ll want to wait until we’ve grown complacent, dropped our guard. That’s what I would do. But I’m not Barone. The man is unhinged, unpredictable. It’s why he’s been so hard to catch all these years. Most people think they’re making random choices, going places no one will ever think of. Most people are predictable. They have their patterns if you look hard enough. Not Barone.

I look over my shoulder at the house. I swear she’s watching me from the window even though I told her not to. The girl doesn’t know what’s best for her. Stone’s right, she’s a brat. A brat I can’t get enough of.

I close my eyes and mutter several protection spells. Stone will know how to infiltrate them. No one else. And if anyone does try to tamper with them, I’ll know and I’ll be back in a heartbeat.

With one final glance at the house, I whistle for my bike and jump on the saddle as it draws close, riding away across the wet streets of the city.