Page 13 of Dark Witch: Twin Destinies

"Of course," Turner said. "I'll keep you updated on any changes."

When Turner ended the call, Kian leaned back in his chair with a sigh. There was always something to worry about. He had forgotten what it felt like to be unburdened.

Was there ever a time when he had been free of worry?

Perhaps when he was a little boy, still innocent and unaware of all the evil in the world.

A soft knock at the door pulled him from his thoughts. As he turned his chair around, the door opened, and Syssi walked in with two cappuccino cups on a small tray and a plate of cookies between them.

"I thought you could use a pick-me-up," she said, setting the tray on his desk. "You look like you are carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders. What's going on?"

"Nothing new." Kian smiled. "Seeing you is like balm to my soul, a reminder of all that is good and right in my life." He took one of the cups, inhaling the rich aroma with a grateful sigh. "You have no idea how much I've missed these." He took a sip and let the smooth, creamy flavor roll over his tongue. "You, my love, are a master barista."

Syssi grinned, a blush staining her cheeks at the compliment. "Flattery will get you everywhere, mister."

Kian chuckled, feeling the rest of the tension drain from his body. "Is that a promise?"

"Isn't it always?" Syssi teased, taking a sip of her coffee. "But first, tell me what's got you worried. Is it Margo's family?"

Kian nodded, setting his cup down with a sigh. "I just can't shake the feeling that we're not out of the woods yet. The cartel is like a hydra—cut off one head, and two more sprout in its place, and the same is true for the Doomers."

Syssi reached out, taking his hand and giving it a gentle squeeze. "It's all going to work out just fine. It always does."

It had so far, but Kian couldn't help but worry about their luck running out someday. As vigilant and as careful as he was, someone was bound to outsmart him, outmaneuver him, and what would happen to his people then?

It wasn't about losing money or being inconvenienced. It was, and always had been, about an existential threat. It was the life and death of everyone he cared for.

Shaking his head to dispel the gloomy thoughts, Kian forced a smile. "Have I told you lately how much I love you?"

Syssi's eyes softened with affection. "Only every day. But I never get tired of hearing it."

Pushing to his feet, Kian rounded the desk, pulled Syssi out of her chair, and sat on the other with her in his lap. "I love you." He wrapped his arms around her waist and buried his face in the crook of her neck.

Just breathing in her scent was intoxicating. "I wish I could take the rest of the day off and spend it with you."

"Maybe you can." She leaned away to look at his eyes. "What are your plans for after your trip to the keep?"

"I don't have any. How about I take you out on a date? We can go to By Invitation Only."

She laughed. "The answer is a resounding yes."

9

JASMINE

When Jasmine and Edgar left the bedroom and entered the living room, Margo and Negal were not there. Jasmine assumed they were still in bed, but it was also possible they had woken up early and crossed the vestibule to the other penthouse to join the two other couples for breakfast.

After Edgar pulled two bottles of water from the fridge and handed her one, they headed out the door and into the penthouse level's dedicated elevator.

"I feel like a celebrity." Jasmine leaned against the cab's wall. "There is luxury, and then there is a private elevator. That's a whole different level."

Edgar waved at the two security guards in the lobby, and they continued walking through the cavernous chamber and out the building's front doors.

The streets of downtown Los Angeles were still quiet. The usual bustle of traffic and pedestrians was absent because of the early hour, with tendrils of fog clinging to the buildings and hanging over the sidewalks. Trees dotted the pavement at regular intervals, their leaves glistening with dew, but most were the wrong species for what she needed.

Hand in hand, she and Edgar walked for several blocks while scanning the greenery. It seemed that all the trees were either jacarandas or ficuses and had been planted at the same time.

Finally, just when Jasmine was losing hope, she spotted a single willow tree at a tiny corner park, its slender branches drooping gracefully over a single bench.

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