Page 7 of Midnight Salvation

I rolled my eyes. “I didn’t know where Lucas hid his weapons, so all I could find was a meat cleaver.”

“I guess that means that you’re officially part of the family,” Xavier said with a grin. “I never thought I would see the day when someone was good enough for one of my cousins.”

“I’ve been family for years. I just officially made it legal a few months ago.”

“I’m impressed Lucrezia managed to keep it a secret this long.” Xavier shook his head. “The girls are trying to devise a plan to make you notice her.”

“I’ve heard all about operation lovebug,” I said. “The number of times they find something that needs done immediately is alarming, so they can leave me and Lucrezia alone together.” I would have taken advantage of the opportunities if I didn’t suspect there were ears pressed to the door as soon as they left.

“We need to ensure we have eyes on Matteus if you release the girl,” Lucas diverted the conversation away from my wedding. “It will tell us everything we need to know.”

I’d shared with the guys a few days ago that Dad was trying to marry me off to Nicole. My little firecracker had already Googled her and stalked her online since I told her. It wouldn’t surprise me if she got a delivery of poison ivy.

“I’ve been resisting Dad’s order to marry Nicole,” I said. “What if I reluctantly say I’ll consider it. That way, he thinks he’s breaking through my resistance.”

“What about Lucrezia?” Xavier asked.

“She’s known for days and is currently stalking her competition online.”

“That’s my girl.” Lucas chuckled. “Maybe we should put them in a room together?”

“Maybe we shouldn’t,” I retaliated. “Nicole’s father is a piece of shit. He probably taught his daughters to fight dirty.”

Lucas contemplated my words. “Maybe I need to send them into training.” His phone sounded an alarm beside him, and his brow puckered as he lifted it. “That’s strange.”

The hairs on the back of my neck stood to attention.

“Sofia has activated the passport given to her for emergencies only,” Lucas said.

Jordan automatically lifted his phone. There was no doubt he was trying to track her and her security detail, since Lucas had given him access to the girl’s trackers. “Marco is still in Aberdeen. Sofia is in Edinburgh. What the fuck is going on?”

“That passport is part of her escape bag,” Lucas says. “According to the information in the alert, she will soon be on her way to Cuba and my old friend Nic.”

“Can he be trusted?” Xavier asked.

“I took Nic from the streets and he now runs one of the tightest operations I know. It was the reason I chose him as a safe guardian. He is vicious and sneaky. If anyone tried to get past him, he’ll shoot first and ask questions later.”

“Are you going to follow her?” I asked.

“No.” He shook his head. “She’s running for a reason. I need a team in Aberdeen. If Sofia is in the wind, why is Marco not with her, and why hasn’t he checked in with me to let me know? Protocol is to leave it for a week and then contact her handler. Nic will let me know when she arrives, he’ll find a way.”

If one of his daughters had been targeted, then Lucrezia could be next.

“Is it the Council?” I asked.

“Undoubtedly someone on the Council,” Jordan replied. “It’s directly after that order, but none of this has gone through me as head of security.”

“Do we have eyes in Cuba?” Xavier asked.

“Nic is my eyes in Cuba,” Lucas said. “I need to think this through. Sofia was the obvious choice, as we have the other two girls here. But how the fuck did they find her? She’s using my grandmother’s maiden name and I was careful to ensure there were no links to me.”

“Has anyone delved into the financials of the girls’ security details?” I asked.

“I vetted them myself,” Jordan snapped.

“People change when money is involved. Those with ideals get corrupted, debts can ruin lives. I need to know what we’re dealing with, considering my wife could be the next target.” There was freedom in being allowed to say those words, and give Lucrezia her proper title. My wife.

I would rip the head off anyone who came near her. Lucas had questioned my loyalty to her once. He hadn’t said a word after I destroyed Dad’s most valued assassin.

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