Page 8 of Balthazar's Fire

Chapter Three

Balthazar

Balthazar was nervous. Standing outside the sunlit glass front of Monroe’s empire, his heart was thundering as he waited for word from Sebastian.

“He’s taking his time,” Draco muttered, articulating the exact sentiment that Balthazar felt, but was too tense to say.

“He’s probably just waiting to see Monroe,” Cole offered. “He didn’t have an appointment, after all.”

“Maybe Monroe didn’t take the bait?” Draco’s brow rose, his eyes demanding an explanation from Balthazar.

“He’ll take it.” On that point, Balthazar was certain. “I don’t know why, but he’s desperate to get his hands on Drakon Finance, and if he thinks Sebastian is going behind our backs, it’ll only make the deal sweeter for him.”

“You really hate him, don’t you?”

For once, there was no judgment in Draco’s tone, only the pursuit of clarity. He wanted to understand where Balthazar’s loathing originated. They all did.

“It’s mutual.” Balthazar dodged the crux of the question. Waiting for the nod to sweep in and grab Cherie was not the moment to delve into his feelings. “And after yesterday, it’s possible I detest him even more.”

“Wait.” Clutching his phone, Cole read the incoming message that buzzed on all of their devices. “It’s Seb. He has the meeting and is seeing him in five minutes, but apparently Monroe will only meet for fifteen.”

“Then we need to move,” Balthazar muttered, glancing around at the passers-by. “One of us heads inside and distracts the security guards, while the other two go to work.”

They’d already taken the opportunity to recce the place and had found the back entrance to the building. That was the ideal location to launch their rescue bid.

“I’ll go the front way,” Cole decided, staring past his own reflection into the lobby of the tower.

“Are you sure?” Balthazar probed.

“More than,” Cole confirmed. “Draco is better at getting his hands dirty and ultimately, she’s your girl.” He shrugged. “You have the impetus to fight.”

Hesitating, he turned Balthazar’s way. “She is your girl, right?”

“Well, yes.” Balthazar’s brow furrowed. “I mean, we don’t know each other that well, but I want her to be.”

Cole nodded, exchanging a glance with Draco.

“That means it’s just you and me, brother.” Draco’s grin revealed his flawless set of teeth. “Are you up for this?”

“I was born ready,” Balthazar replied, for once content to rile the beast that lurked inside of Draco. “Good luck, Cole.”

“Thanks.” Cole straightened his lapels before he wandered away. “But I won’t need it.”

Time stretched out ahead of them as Balthazar watched Cole walk inside, moments where the only sounds he could hear were the pounding of his heart. Cherie’s frantic thoughts had quieted, which was, he hoped, a good sign that the asshole had left her alone to see Sebastian. That meant that now was the time to move.

“Let’s go!’ Draco’s prompt snapped Balthazar back to the present, the rushing pace of strangers momentarily bewildering as the door Cole had just passed through closed behind him.

“Yes.” Following Draco, Balthazar moved, feeling in his pockets surreptitiously for the weapons they’d hidden there.

“Everything in order?” Draco’s eyebrow arched as he noticed Balthazar’s stock check.

“Everything’s fine,” Balthazar reassured, “but remember what we said. We don’t use the weapons unless we have to. Nobody needs to die today.”

“Sure, sure…”

Draco shook his head as though his older brother was insane, but he didn’t comment further. Balthazar was glad. The knot of nervous energy in his abdomen was already making it difficult to think. The last thing he needed was a lecture from his younger brother.

“Down here,” Draco called, leaving the main street and directing them down the side of the building. Pulse racing, Balthazar stalked behind, his every sense heightened as they left the throng and made their way toward the tower’s back entrance.