Page 157 of Oathbreaker

“Yeah, I’m coming,” I yell back. I grab my phone, pull up the messaging app, and hover my thumb over the last text string.

I sent her a text last night before going to bed and this morning when I woke up. I sent them, rather than talking with her in person, because Winter kicked me out of my own bedroom.

Whatever it takes to keep you safe, Sunbeam, I’ll do it.

I send her one more message.

I love you. Completely. Transcendentally.

I stare at the screen as the notification turns from “sent” to “delivered.” She doesn’t reply, even though a moment later, the notice changes to “read.”

Leo honks the horn again.

Gritting my teeth and shoving aside the unsettled feeling in my chest, I head to the car and leave Amelia Manor behind.

Leo is silent as he flips his phone in his hand for most of the forty-minute drive.

“I can hear you thinking from over here,” I say, gripping the steering wheel tight.

“I got an interesting text today,” he says. I wait for him to fill in the rest. He doesn’t. Instead, he pulls out his phone and brings up the message.

Each Threats Ignited

Venues Canon

Heir

“What the fuck kinda Dr.Seuss riddle is that?” I whip my eyes back to the road.

“Fuck if I know. Couldn’t track who sent it either.”

I contemplate the message.

“You know, I got a message too. It was a few weeks after we got back. I had Max look into it, but he couldn’t trace it.” I rub my upper lip with my thumb, thinking about the words.

“Wonderful. I have all the warm fuzzies now,” Leo adds, sarcasm thick in his voice.

“What are the common variables, Leo? Because from where I’m sitting, there’s a lot behind my father’s death.”

Leo rolls his head on his neck.

“Fuck,” I mutter.

“This is beyond your father and his fucked-up games, H. This is way beyond that.”

I press my foot on the accelerator, edging us over ninety on the two-lane road.

“I believe you.”

When we reach the gates of Misha’s compound, his guards wave us in as soon as they note our car. No extended search or pat down.

“This is fucking weird,” Leo mutters.

“Agreed.”

We roll to a stop in front of the main house, and seven of Misha’s men come to unload the evidence as four other cars housing our detail pull in behind us.

“Friends,” Misha says jovially. “I’m glad for your safe return. Come, let’s have a drink in my office.”

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