Page 93 of Root

“Don’t you?” he counters. And before I can say a thing, he captures my hand again. His fingers, long and strong and elegant, play over mine, and every nerve ending rushes to where we touch, connect. “We broker peace.”

“Should I ask the Pope to vacate the Vatican?”

“Maybe.” He links our fingers, and I should pull my hand back. Soon. “But what I mean is there are scuffles here, little grabs for land and power still. Since Nikolai made a deal with the bigger players and the Smith Family, Queenstown is a mecca for a certain kind of peace, a certain kind of shoulder rubbing. But if anyone’s trying to break into this city without a blessing from the powers, and with the intention of causing trouble, it’ll be war.”

“Even when weaknesses are exposed?”

He meets my gaze. “Rose isn’t a weakness.”

“Sure looks like that since he took off.”

“He travels. He’s not leaving her. Never will. Rose isn’t a weakness, I told you that.”

The thing is, this time he didn’t mention himself, but he’s as important as Rose. A different importance, but the man raised Rush. He’s as important as his own child would be.

I know the link to getting Nikolai is Rush and Rose. But do I want to do that? Do I want to push them at the Ten64?

Rose told me about how she wants to help women, so I can work something with that, and Rush…

“Fuck.” A buzzing hits the air and he pulls out his phone, laughing. “I mean…fuck, seems like Rush has got it.”

My stomach turns hard and cold and queasy.

“One of your whores?”

“You’re my only one,” he says, tugging me half off the sofa to kiss my hand. “And if you weren’t, you’d be my favorite.”

I stare at him, trying not to laugh or maim him. “Asshole.”

“It’s my cock Lucy Smith wants. And…” He rises, coming in to kiss me hard. “She’s pretty, too. Gotta take this.”

He leaves the room and, heart slamming, I scramble up and race to the door, but I can’t hear him.

Lucy. Lucy Smith.

I pull out my phone and google her.

Oh. God.

She’s Rush’s type. Gorgeous, blonde, rich. The article’s about the Smith Charity in Boston, and she’s there with a hot young man. But that’s it. Nothing more. I kick myself for not googling her sooner.

I rub my face with my hand.

They know each other, so she’s around in Queenstown. At least, that’s what I’m assuming. The problem with the name Smith is it’s insanely common, but if I can get to his phone and see where he went the past few days, I can maybe find their headquarters. Or…something.

Are the Ten64 following him?

I can ask next time they text me.

It’s totally the kind of stupid thing they’d do. Follow a high up in the Wilder family.

I stare at her photo, hating how I want to punch her out, warn her to keep the fuck away from Rush.

He’s not mine.

And I don’t beat up girls for liking a guy I do.

But this one? Over this man?

---