Page 116 of Kage

She looked away, her body shaking. “What’s happening?”

“Whoever they are, they’ve been tracking your whereabouts, determining this was the best location to grab you. After you were taken, did you see that man at all?”

“No, I’m positive. I memorized the faces of the men who came and went. Just in case.” Even her laugh was laced with nervousness.

“Did you upload all the photographs you took in Bermuda prior to the kidnapping?”

She shook her head. “Why?”

“Do you mind if I take a look? Maybe you could grab the SIM card. I just want to see if he appears in any other pictures. Maybethere’ll be a better one up close I can try and have a trace run with.”

At first, I thought she was going to say no, especially when she abruptly left the room. Exhaling from frustration, I sat back. I hadn’t intended on terrifying her, but the clues were all we had. And with Gray ignoring my calls, I continued to feel like time wasn’t on our side.

She returned a couple of minutes later, this time Tank following her. He stood just inside the doorway, a ball in his mouth. After pulling the SIM card, she moved closer to the desk.

“Here. Maybe you’ll find something.” When she turned, her eyes fell onto the letter from Henry. “You’re going to sell everything. Aren’t you?”

“I don’t know yet. I’m no business owner.”

“But you could be. Think of all the horses you’ll help save.” Her eyes now held the same joy in them as they had when I’d found her the night before.

“Juliette. I’m a soldier. That’s all I’ve ever been. I wouldn’t know how to take care of horses.”

“That’s why you hire good people.”

“It would seem I inherited a few along with the sanctuary.”

Her eyes opened wide before giving me that look as she’d done way too many times. “Then there you go. No excuses. I know you’re afraid, but you can’t enjoy life without taking some risks. Maybe it’s time to stop being a soldier. You are retired.”

“Maybe you’re right.” Chuckling, I knew there was no sense in arguing with her.

“I’m always right. Can we at least go see the horses today? Just once? I won’t beg, but…”

“No need to beg. I need to run into town, but we’ll pop over when I return. And you’re staying here.”

“Is it safe?”

She was constantly surprising me. Now she realized just how dangerous the situation was. “It’s better if you weren’t seen in town. I’ll only be gone an hour. You just need to stay inside. Can you do that?”

“Of course.”

“I mean it, Juliette. I’ll leave Tank with you. He won’t allow anything to happen, but you need to follow my orders.”

“This love bug?” He knew she was talking about him and immediately headed for her. As she bent down, cooing while she rubbed him all over, I realized she was right. I hadn’t been living. “Yes, Kage. I’ll follow your orders and stay inside with the doors locked. You know it would help if I had a phone.”

“I’ll take care of that while I’m out.” I’d already thought of purchasing a burner phone. At least if something happened and we were separated, she could get in touch with me. Leaving her was risky. But taking her with me meant she’d be seen by even more people. Yes, there was gossip, but the city was large enough by now the fake marriage Juliette had created should have died down.

Another awkward silence passed between us.

“Can I ask you a question?”

Why did I have a feeling I wasn’t going to like what she asked? “Sure.”

“The man you served with, the one you said betrayed you. What happened?”

“Why do you need to know?”

“Because that’s another demon you can’t let go. I was just trying to understand why you won’t allow yourself to live.”

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