Page 79 of Legacy

She heaved an audible, exasperated sigh. “What about his people? Are any of them around? I don’t want anyone there who can report back to him.”

A chill slid down my spine.

“You’re seriously scaring me. Why don’t you want any of the Xenoses around?”

“Because it is Vitalis business,” she shouted. “Is that clear enough?”

Something big had to be wrong for her to act this way.

“Does it have to do with Eli?” I asked, knowing her answer already.

A lump formed in the pit of my stomach, and all the contentment and joy I’d felt over the last week or so evaporated. We’d come so far. Even this morning, he mentioned trying for a child as soon as this mess with his father was settled.

What could have happened?

Vik walked through the door with a folder held under his arm and gestured with his chin. “Layana?”

“Yes.” I nodded.

“She called me too.”

I returned to Laya. “Let me guess, you told him everything.”

“Of course. His information corroborates with mine. I’m nearly there.” She hung up, leaving me with an empty line.

Corroborates? What the fuck was that supposed to mean?

Vik took the phone from me, encased it in a box, and then pulled out a small device, which I recognized as anelectronics barrier and scrambler meant to prevent any listening or monitoring equipment from working.

Shit, shit, shit. This was bad.

“We need to go to your office right now.”

Without another word, I led him down the hall. The second we entered, Vik threw the folder on top of my desk and went to work, searching everywhere.

“Wait to open that.” His gaze landed on me, and then he ordered, “Look for a camera like I taught you.”

I scoured the area around me. Eli wouldn’t invade my privacy. I trusted him.

Why would he spy on me?

My heart hammered as I waited for Vic to finish his inspection.

“Does this concern Caras, Bella, and Korba?” I asked.

“Yes and no.”

“What kind of answer is that?”

He stared at me with his calm, unwavering eyes. “The kind telling you to sit your ass in the chair and wait. And don’t open that folder.”

Releasing a deep, centering breath, I closed my eyes briefly before holding his gaze.

He was my second father. I would not lose my shit on him. However, he needed a reminder of a few things.

“I am the Vitalis, yes or no?”

He nodded. “Yes.”

---