Page 36 of Crown of Lies

Willow seems to remember we’re here after a few heated moments, breaking the kiss with a breathless laugh as she gently pushes Malice back.

“We have guests,” she tells him quietly, and his gaze shoots to us.

His focus lands on me first, a flash of recognition crossing his features. Then his attention shifts to the Princes. I’m not sure if he knows who they are or not, but he can clearly read the ‘fuck around and find out’ vibes that all of them radiate. His stance shifts, his expression hardening into a scowl as he wraps an arm around Willow’s waist and pulls her closer protectively.

“They’re with me,” I say quickly. I’m not sure how I feel about making that statement, but I need to make sure Malice doesn’t see any of us as a threat. Given how protective he and the others seemed to be of Willow when they came to Blood and Ink to meet with my father, I doubt he’ll agree to help us if he thinks it’ll put her in any danger.

His eyes narrow slightly. “I see.”

Before anyone can say anything else, two other men walk down the stairs into the wide main living space. Just like Malice, their names and faces are burned into my memory. Victor has short dark hair, and his features are somewhat similar to Malice’s. Twins, maybe. Beside him, the man named Ransom shoots a curious look at me and the Princes. He’s got messy brown hair that’s lighter than either of his brothers’, and he’s holding a tiny bundle swaddled in a pale pink blanket.

“Ah, there’s my favorite little girl,” Willow coos, crossing the room to take the baby from Ransom’s arms. She cradles the infant close, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead.

“This is Dayana,” she says, glancing over at me and the Princes. “Our daughter.”

Nico gives a barely perceptible nod of acknowledgment while Killian and Atlas remain silent and unreadable. I’ve never really known what to do around babies, but I can’t help but smile a little as Dayana scrunches up her face, letting out a little noise. I had no idea that Willow had had a baby since the last time I saw her, and although I barely know her, I’m glad that she and her men seem to be doing well. They’ve fucking earned it.

Victor gives me and the Princes a once-over, his gaze a little too perceptive for comfort. “What are they doing here?”

“I’m not sure,” Willow admits, that flash of worry appearing in her eyes again. “They just got here. I’m sure you remember Jonah’s daughter, Quinn. And these are her… associates. Nico, Killian, and Atlas.”

She gestures vaguely at the men, like she’s still not quite sure how to categorize them.

Victor’s wary expression makes him look even more like Malice than ever, and he steps closer to Willow, radiating the same protectiveness. Ransom is the only one who seems even a little bit at ease, although he moves closer to Willow too.

“So?” he asks. “What are you doing here?”

I take a deep breath, squaring my shoulders as I meet their questioning gazes head-on. “I need to call in the favor you owed my father… and which you all owemenow.”

Malice’s eyes are full of distrust, his jaw clenching so tightly I can see the muscle twitching beneath his skin. Victor’s shoulders tense, and Ransom lifts his chin, his expression growing more serious. Behind me, I can feel all three of the Princes shift a bit, flanking me closely.

Willow draws in a deep breath, bouncing Dayana lightly as the little girl’s eyes drift closed.

“You’re right. We owed your father a favor, and with him dead, that means we owe you. It’s the least we can do.”

She shoots her men a pointed look as she says that last part, as if trying to head off any arguments they might have, but all three of them nod.

The knot of tension in my gut unwinds a bit. I didn’t really think that they’d refuse to help me, but it’s a relief to know that they’re willing to honor the agreement they made with my father.

“I really am sorry about what happened to him,” Willow adds softly. “All four of us owe him our lives. If he hadn’t agreed to help us, there’s a good chance none of us would’ve walked away from that fight. He was tough as nails, and he seemed like a good man.”

Her simple words, and the sympathy I can hear in her voice, hit me harder than I expected. I’m not sure I ever gave myself enough time to grieve his passing—there were too many pressing things for me to deal with as I stepped into his shoes, working hard to keep Enigma together and carry on his legacy. And even a year later, it hurts to think of him, like opening up a fresh wound all over again.

I swallow hard against the lump forming in my throat, blinking rapidly to get rid of the telltale sting of tears pricking my eyes. I can’t afford to get emotional. Not here. Not now.

“He was a good man,” I say simply. “The best.”

Shoving my thoughts and memories aside with a hell of a lot of effort, I force myself to focus on the reason we came here.

“I need your help tracking down the identity of someone who’s been communicating with the Princes,” I state, keeping my voice carefully level. “He goes by the name ‘The Saint’, and he’s hired them anonymously for some jobs. He’s been communicating via encrypted messages.”

Willow exchanges a weighted look with Malice, Victor, and Ransom, some unspoken thought seeming to pass between thefour of them. Even little Dayana seems to sense the sudden tension in the air, waking up and letting out a soft whimper.

“Vic can probably help with that,” Willow says, adjusting Dayana in her arms. “If anyone can trace encrypted communications and find out who’s behind them, it’s him.”

Victor gives a confident nod, his expression sharp. “I’ll need access to the messages, but even with heavy encryption, I should be able to give you more information about who’s been sending them.”

Nico nods. “We can give you access to the messages right now.”

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