Page 63 of Siege of Blood and Betrayal

“I have a few off-the-grid contacts that could help us, but we can’t walk the streets looking like two victims of a horror movie.”

Zane nods. “Agreed. But it won’t just be the two of us. Scottie is here, and she’s my Sacred Squire. From now on, where I go, she goes.”

I peg the guy with an unimpressed look. “You trusted me to protect you last week and the weeks and months before that, didn’t you?”

“Of course.”

“Then nothing has changed. You are still mine to guard and protect. I have always considered you a target to be defended. The only difference now is that we know people are actively gunning for you.”

“I understand that, but Scottie?—”

“—Is less than twenty-four hours into her duty, with no tactical training, and no idea how squire powers work. Knowing there is a target on your head, do you really want to put her in the line of fire?”

The muscle in Zane’s jaw twitches, and I know I’ve got him. “No. She’s safer here. Fine. We’ll shower in the downstairs bathroom to avoid running into her and leave in ten.”

I nod. “I’ll make the arrangements.”

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Tucker

Icarry Jack to one of the upstairs guest rooms, being careful not to jostle him too much. He lost a lot of blood, and every grunt of pain that escapes him makes my chest tighten.

Scottie’s ahead of me, opening doors, making sure everything’s ready for us. She’s focused, moving with purpose, but I don’t miss the tension in her delicate shoulders.

Something has her on edge, and I’ve got a theory on what it is—or rather,whoit is.

Downstairs, Zane and Huntley are talking, their voices a low rumble that I can barely make out, even with my heightened hearing. Scottie didn’t want Huntley to come back here with us and she shut down the moment Zane laid his king card and overruled her objection.

Dad says the three of them used to be tight, but she’s been cold toward him ever since we left the compound.

When she looks at Zane, I smell her hurt and confusion.

When she looks at Huntley, there’s nothing in the air except anger and betrayal.

There’s a story behind that and by the way Zane was eyeing the two of them, he’s just as baffled by it as I am.

I lay Jack down gently, pulling the covers over him while Scottie adjusts the pillows. “I’ll see what we have in the kitchen and bring you up a tray. Any requests?”

“Any chance I can get nachos and beer?”

She chuckles and shakes her head. “Once you’re able to get downstairs to the table, we’ll go full pub night. Until then, stick to a healthier selection.”

“Then I leave it to you, kid. I’m not fussy. I’m also not that hungry. Take your time.”

She finishes settling him in and we step out into the hallway, leaving Jack to rest. As soon as we close the door, I lean against the wall. “Thanks for taking such good care of him, beautiful. It means a lot.”

She fingers a loose strand of blonde hair behind her ear and sighs. “He’s taken care of me more times than I can count. Anytime Francesco and Da were away from the compound on one of their Fondatori trips, Jack watched over Zane and me. I might not have had a mother growing up, but I had three fathers.”

He chuckles. “I can’t imagine that was easy.”

She shrugs. “Honestly, it was amazing.”

When the familiar tang of sadness and loss hits my nostrils, I change the subject. “So, what about Huntley? My dad said Bran and Francesco brought him back from one of their outings when he was a teenager, and your twosome with Zane became a threesome.”

Her expression tightens. “There was trouble with his family back in Europe and he was left orphaned. Francesco knew Huntley’s parents and took him in.”

“You grew up with the three of you tight, then?”

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