Page 164 of Under Your Scars

“Okay,” I say, hoping he will get to the point.

“It seemed like Kate was…distracted while Mrs. Reeves spoke to her. Constantly on her phone and looking around like she was waiting for the boogeyman to pop out. I ran her through facial recognition. She’s a known associate of Frank Valenti. Thought that might interest you.”

I give him a tight-lipped blank look. I appreciate his vigilance, but everything he’s telling me, I already knew. “She worked at the Hellfire Lounge with Elena. Everyone who worked there is a known associate of Frank Valenti.”

Gavin nods. “Just thought you wanted to know.”

“Thank you,” I say, in true gratitude. Gavin has gone above and beyond to keep Elena safe from the moment I met her. He’s loyal and trustworthy. I chuckle lightly. “Elena told me she fired you for not letting her come to me after I got shot.”

He chuckles back. “I was just doing my job. You would have done a lot worse than fire me if something happened to her.”

I tap my fingers against the seat of the weight bench I’m sitting on. “When was the last time I let you have a vacation?”

Gavin tilts his head and thinks. “Couldn’t tell you.”

I nod and give him a friendly smirk. “I think you’re overdue for one. Make some plans with your wife and your baby. Let me know the details and your entire trip is on me. Food, travel, hotel. Everything.”

“You don’t have to do that,” Gavin says. I shrug it off and hold out my hand. He takes it in his and we shake.

“You’re a good friend, Gavin. You’re one of the few people on this earth I trust. I don’t say that lightly.”

“I know, sir. I’m glad for it.”

Gavin turns away to leave, and as he’s stepping through the threshold, I stop him. “Hey, Gav?”

“Yes, sir?”

“Do you trust Kate? With Elena?”

Gavin turns to face me and his face drops. “Didn’t you tell me you once paid her to cover for Elena at the Lounge?” I nod. “So her loyalty can be bought.”

“And?” I prompt, knowing there’s more.

“And I think for the right price, she’d hand over Elena on a silver platter to the highest bidder.”

I’m sitting on the bed, propped up against the headboard, reading through last quarter’s report on my subsidiaries in Asia. I make a note of which regions are growing the slowest and start an email chain with my people to arrange a visit to that side of the world once I’m completely healed. Or at least enough to wash my own goddamn back.

Elena pops in and hops onto the bed with me, holding four paint swatches next to her head. “Which do you like best?”

I smirk. We’re converting one of the lesser-utilized rooms in the mansion to her own home office, and she is very serious about getting the paint color perfect. I look at the four small papers next to her head. I tap one on the left. “Old World Gray.”

She takes a look at the swatch and purses her lips. “You like that more thanElectric Violet?”

“I’d need an eye transplant every time I walked out of your office if you painted it that color.”

She sticks her tongue out at me. “You’re no fun,” she says, setting the paint samples to the side. I set down my report, too. Elena takes my hand in hers and we play a gentle game of thumb war.

“You’ll never believe who I saw today.”

“Kate,” I reply casually. She narrows her eyes at me. “Gavin told me.”

Elena sighs. “Feels like a lifetime since I’ve seen her.”

“What’s she up to these days?” I ask, wanting more information. I need to know if Gavin’s suspicions are well-placed.

“Still bartending. I didn’t ask where, but she seemed to be doing alright. She had a brand-new Prada bag and a limited-edition Cartier bracelet. She wants to meet for another coffee soon, to catch up.”

I pause, my entire body tensing. “Angel, I don’t think that’s a good idea.”