Page 116 of Imperial: The Corvidae Family
I damn sure hadn’t expected that.
Carter’s expression was stoic when his eyes locked onto mine with the same measured calm I was used to with him but there was something different today. Something heavier. Before I could ask, he grinned. “Having a family doesn’t change who I am,” he said easily, keeping his voice level. “But it does change how I choose to exist. I have a new position.”
I narrowed my eyes on him then glanced at Atteir Dominic. “You’re Court?”
Carter nodded. Didn’t see that coming. With his uncle being the head of the Angels of Death I naturally assumed he would go that route. After years of not knowing his connection to them, they were finally in a good place. But I guess Carter meant what he said about not being attached to that world. Shadow Court was very different but equally important.
He motioned toward my laptop. “What do you have?”
I pushed past the distraction, flipping the laptop open and pulling up the files Yair compiled, then handed it over.
Carter and Atteir, one of the higher-ranking members of the Shadow Court, scanned the information, remaining neutral while they processed the data.
Atteir was the first to speak. “And this is all verifiable?”
I leaned back against the seat, keeping my eyes steady. “Yeah. You see it. If you want your people to waste time chasing it down on their own, they can. But this is Yair’s work and you already know he’s fucking good. That’s all verified.”
Atteir delivered a hard stare to Carter, who gave a single nod.
“That won’t be necessary,” Carter said.
Atteir’s frown deepened. “This is a serious matter. If that’s not legitimate and he kills Trent, then that challenges the Black Code and we have to deal with the fallout. It creates problems. Members will start killing other members, unsanctioned, every time they get in a dick swinging contest.”
Carter’s expression darkened as he turned toward Atteir. “Understood, but I’m making the call on this one. I’m trusting that it’s verified.”
Atteir’s jaw clenched. “You’re willing to put your name on the line?”
Carter didn’t hesitate. He glanced at me, then nodded. “For him? Yes.”
I felt that shit. Carter wasn’t just signing off on this. He was putting himself in the middle of the decision. If the information was wrong and Trent wasn’t in violation of the Code, it would be his legacy on the line.
Atteir held his gaze for a long moment before finally nodding. “Then handle it.”
Carter turned to me. “You have our support.”
I closed the laptop as he handed it back to me. “I will get it done tonight.”
Without another word, I exited the SUV, shutting the door behind me. The men outside didn’t speak, just watched as I walked back to my car.
I slid behind the steering wheel with my mind already on what was next.
It was time.
Trent wanted a trap? He was about to fucking get one, only it wasn’t going to end like he planned.
Chapter
Twenty-Three
Baylyn.
Tae invited me to dinner.
Shit, she’s going to fire me. I’ve been MIA over the past couple weeks. She’s definitely going to fire me.
As we got out of the car, my mind was spiraling. I couldn’t even enjoy how sexy my man looked beside me because I was in panic mode. His fingers laced through mine, partially grounding me, but my mind was anything but calm as we walked toward the restaurant.
She’s going to fire me.
