Page 193 of Love Me

As if I need his approval, but as the obviously more mature person between us, I stretch my hand out and we shake. “Thank you for being there for her.”

“Thermal imaging has found one person pacing around,” Bailey says.

“Good. Felix is alone,” I tell him.

“In the name of team spirit, I need to know who your tech guy is.”

“Again, that’s not up to me.”

“Be careful. I can’t see if he’s armed or not,” Bailey says.

He’s not. Even if he’s paranoid, Felix is too cocky to think anyone would find him.

When we reach the cabin, I point to the back. Hunter and I split up. I pat my necklace, feeling Celine.

Unlocking the door, I tiptoe inside. Felix is yelling into a phone at whoever is on the other line.

“I’ll get you your money.”

He hangs up and throws the burner phone into the fireplace, only to dig around for another one.

“Hello, Felix.”

He spins to me, color draining from his face.

I cock my head. “Admit it. I practically exceeded all your expectations.”

“Kaden, I’m not in the mood.”

“You’re coming with me.”

“I would rather die. I was born to be a king, not a pawn. You can’t hold me back.”

I lift my gun and point straight at his cold-blooded heart.

“You wouldn’t.” He taunts me.

Even after everything, he still believes there are lines I won’t cross to know Celine’s safe. I point the gun at his arm and pull the trigger. He stumbles back, a mortified sound coming out of him.

“Don’t test me. I would kill you in a heartbeat, but I want you to suffer. Death would be a mercy that I don’t intend to grant you, Father.” I spit the last word. He cups his wound, wincing.

Hunter approaches and slams the gun into his temple.

“Pretty prosaic.”

We eye each other and then tie him up.

I call Grandmother next, informing her we found Felix.

“A team is on its way. I’m proud of you, Kaden. You did the right thing. I’d like a word with you later.”

We deliver Felix to the guards, and Hunter accompanies them. This guy is even more paranoid than I am.

When I park in front of Grandmother’s house, the number of guards has been drastically cut. You can say what you want about the old hag, but she’s cutthroat when she wants to be.

Thomas opens the door, welcoming me in.

He shows me the way. I walk down a flight of stairs and I find Grandmother in the vault room. She’s leaning against her cane but appearing immaculate as always.

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