Page 114 of Burn It Down

Asher nodded along. “Create a fake arms deal to draw Carson and his people there, then get word to Isobel that this will enable them to rise again out of the ashes. She wants him and the Infidels destroyed then she’ll never allow that to happen. She’ll have to step out of the shadows.”

“I can use my plants to provide Carson this false intel.”

“We make the location the Monroe Estate,” Aaron said.

My dad frowned. “What?”

“With Isobel’s history you’ve just revealed to us, how could she resist taking Carson on his own territory?”

“It would be the ultimate power move,” I posited.

“Indeed,” my dad agreed. “We have three of us here who know every inch of that place too.” He looked at Asher. “Would it trigger you, though? Being back there? With the dungeon right there?”

Asher stared back at him steadily. “Not in my current state, no.”

“I still don’t know how you’re walking the line with that,” Caleb said. “It wasn’t how we worked it out.”

Asher smiled over at me. “There are just some things that have no rhyme and reason, I guess.”

I grinned back at him.

“Carson thinks Aurora is dead,” my dad spoke. “Ideally, I’d want to keep it that way.” At my coming protest, he held up his hand. “But I know you won’t sit this out. I also understand you’re an asset in many ways, including in a combat scenario. And your presence can also provide a destabilizing shock factor.”

I couldn’t believe it.

He wasn’t fighting it.

He wasn’t going to try to lock me away again like a sheltered prized possession.

“I trained her, damn straight she’s an asset,” Aaron cut in.

“You’re not the only one,” my dad reminded him.

“Ah, but I didn’t hold back.”

“Yes,” my dad said, gritting his teeth. “I’m aware of the brutal training you subjected my daughter to.”

“It’s kept me alive, Dad. It’s helped me a hell of a lot.”

He sighed and actually admitted, “I know.” He looked at Aaron. “Thank you. For protecting her when I couldn’t.”

“You’re… welcome,” Aaron responded, shocked, to say the least.

Caleb’s phone buzzed, cutting through the conversation. He pulled it out and frowned.

“Everything all right?” Asher asked.

“Not exactly, but I’ll deal with it later.”

“Deal with what?”

“It’s nothing to do with any of this.”

“Is there a problem at one of your rehabilitation facilities?”

“No, nothing like that. I’ve got the best of the best running the show there. This is something else. Cas needs a word. In person.”

“Caspian King? Your former flame?”

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