Page 59 of Love & Heart Braking

I tilted my head. “I’m rethinking this deal. How tightly do you control the daemon? Why the hell would he ever listen to the twelve and take me to the underworld when he could escape after? The twelve will never let him out of their sights.”

Her expression smoothed. “As he said, he has a wife.”

“So do a lot of people. What tabs do you keep on her?”

“She isn’t going anywhere.”

They had to watch Gug closely. “And yet I’m not filled with confidence.”

The water nymph leaned forward. “Might I remind you that the twelve are humoring you with this contract and nothing more?”

I tilted my head.

“The twelve are ruthless,” I said after a beat. “I expect them to be ruthless on my behalf to see through their end of the bargain. The daemon will be controlled to make good on the deal.” I took a breath. “And in that case, I will sign. As soon as Jaeke is handed over to me alive.”

The carriage stopped, and I glimpsed my apartment through the window.

Finally.

Though the wired feeling in my body told me there wouldn’t be any sleep tonight. Not once I’d caught Devereaux up on everything.

She kicked open the carriage door. “Get out. You’ll hear from us.”

“Have a good evening,” I replied brightly.

Entering my building, I released the tight hold on my fear and walked double-time to my apartment. The door swung open, and I was staring up into blue eyes the next moment.

Devereaux scanned me. “Are you hurt?”

I shook my head. “I’m fine. Did you get any sleep?”

His pointed look asked if I was crazy.

I strode in, and he closed the door.

“What happened?” he asked, taking my coat and hanging it beside the entrance. “Did you see him?”

Nodding, I sighed. “Yeah.”

Devereaux brought me a glass of water and sat next to me on the couch. “Tell me.”

I took a sip first. “I know where they’re keeping him. I’m nearly positive anyway.” I raised my gaze to his. “I saw bubbles rise to the surface when we visited the Dethnels’ estate. Maybe they belonged to him.”

“He said something?”

“There was slime on his foot and the suit he wore was shiny and thick. Really odd material.”

Devereaux’s breath caught. “They’re keeping him underwater?”

“I believe so.”

Which seemed like an impossible rescue mission. Did anyone even know what things looked like under the surface on the Dethnels’ estate?

“There’s something else.” He whipped out a hand and brushed his thumb over my cheekbone.

I closed my eyes. So tired, but there really was something else. “The daemon knew my name. My last name.”

My berserker tensed. “How?”

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