Page 47 of Undercover Savior

“If you have reason to believe anyone in my crew, as you call us, is dirty, spell it out for me right now. If you’re grasping at something that isn’t there because of a warning given to us by a madwoman, you can fuck off.”

He put his hand on the doorknob. “Once the seed of doubt is planted, there’s nothing to stop it from growing.”

“You’re a bloody bastard, Marras.”

He shrugged his shoulder. “You should be thanking me that you still have a job, Ashcroft.”

“Until I find the next traitor you let in the gate. Then, what?”

He grinned but not through his eyes. “Maybe I’ll retire and let you take over. In the meantime, I’ll run the names Janus and Chimera and see if anything relevant pops up.”

By the timethe helicopter landed at Glenshadow, I was ready to tear Con limb from limb. I was equally angry with myself for not having the conversation I’d told myself I would prior to meeting with Periscope.

“Where’s Con?” I asked when I was met at the door by Tag and Gus.

“Ashcroft,” said Tag.

“I need to speak with him immediately.”

“I’ll drive you over,” Tag offered.

I shook my head. “This is between Con and me alone.”

Gus handed me a key fob.

“Where is Sullivan?”

“She and Fallon Wallace are in the library,” Gus responded.

“Find her, and do not let her out of your sight until I return.”

Tag followed when I stormed outside. “What’s going on, Ash?”

“My apologies, my friend, but I must sort this with Con first.”

Typhon was right about there being nothing to stop the seed of doubt from growing once planted. Right now, Con was on my radar. That didn’t mean Tag or even Gus weren’t the person, or persons, who’d come for me. I’d give almost anything to have every suspicion quashed, to believe without the shadow of a doubt that my three closest friends would never betray me or the Crown. Except the one thing—person—I could not risk in this was Sullivan. It was my responsibility to protect her, and if called for, I’d lay down my life to save hers.

“I’m looking for Con,”I said when Mrs. Drummond met me just inside the entrance to the castle.

“He’s at Thistle Gate.”

I was almost out the door when I heard her call after me.

“Your Grace, if I may.”

“Time and again, I’ve told you not to address me in that manner, Mrs. Drummond.”

Since I hadn’t stopped walking, she hurried after me. “Understood, sir, but…”

I sighed. “Yes?”

“Your uncle has returned.”

My father’s doddering brother was the least of my worries at the moment. I stopped walking and turned to her. “And?”

She stepped closer and lowered her voice. “Lord Blackmoor said he believed you may be returning to the estate later today.”

“I urgently need to speak withCon, as I’ll point out, you’ve referred to him for most of our lives. After which, I will return and speak with you.”

---