Page 87 of Lost Kingdom

“After that, I want you to drop by Doctor Flynn’s Bay DBs,” Minka rumbles. “See what you see.”

“You don’t think she’s done the job?”

She flattens her lips and lifts her shoulders just a fraction of an inch. “I think I’d like for you to see what you see. Extra eyes never hurt anyone, and rotating the DBs to a new tech is good business.”

27

TIM

COULD SHE BE?

“Boss?” Frank sits in the front seat of the black SUV I’ve somehow acquired in the last year. The guy, too, became a part of my life right around the same time Felix reappeared in our world.

“She’s your target?”

“Not my target.” But I sit back and watch Jada stumble out of Sarge’s club. Her face, beaten black and blue. Her weight, dangerously low. What was once luscious, long hair is now jagged and home-style cut. What used to be a beautiful face, plump in all the right places, is now sunken and gaunt.

Drugs. They’ll fuck even the best-bred and the rich and famous.

“She’s connected to the assholes who cornered Aubree last night.”

Frank’s brow slings high in the rearview mirror. “And still, they live.”

“She said they have to.” I stroke my beard, smoothing the ends down and creating calm in my blood when, normally, I’d stroke Aubree for the same outcome. But better. With her, it’s always better. “How’d she know they were setting a trap for me?”

He sits in silence for a beat. Contemplative, and then confused. “Hmm?”

“She said it was an ambush. That they hurt her to piss me off, which would lead to me hunting them down.”

“Which would have you walking onto their turf,” he concludes. “It’s a solid theory.”

“She’s not calling it a theory. She’s calling it fact. She said Duane wouldn’t be hurt, though inmyexperience, I expected to be burying himthis week. She didn’t hesitate,” I rumble in frustration. “She didn’t skip a single beat, though she’s the most protective person I’ve ever met. How’d she know he’d be okay?”

“Have you considered…” He gulps, so the noise carries across the car and into the back. “I don’t mean to talk out of turn, Boss, but for her to know their plans, implies she’s privy to information we’re not. If she were a man, we’d wonder if she’s employed by the other side.”

“She’s not a plant.” I slide my fingers through my beard and watch Jada stumble into a cab at the end of the block. “It’s like she’s got ears inside their clubs, though. She knows their moves before they know them. Follow that cab,” I add when it pulls away from the curb. “Keep your distance, but don’t worry too much. I doubt a taxi driver is trained to spot a tail.”

“Don’t let the fact she’s female distract you from potential danger, Boss. We know better.”

“She vouched for you.” I smile when his eyes meet mine in the mirror. “Having never spoken to you before in her life, she shook your hand and told me to trust you. If she’s a plant, then her confidence implies you are, too.”

Panic lances through his gaze. Terror, when I drop my hand to my lap.

“Boss, I’m not… I didn’t…”

“She’s not a plant.” I glance down when my phone trills and Felix’s name flashes on the screen. So with a sigh, I swipe to answer, knowing it’s time I eat crow. “Felix. Hey.”

“Are we friends again?” His tone jumps out, friendly and carefree. “Ready to kiss and make up?”

“Kiss me and I’ll slit your throat. But,” I add, more serious now. “Brothers for life, huh? I know you and Micah protected me and Arch while we were gone. I’m sorry for questioning your sacrifices.”

“I’ll love you forever. No matter how much you take your bad mood out on me. Tim II wasn’t good for much else, but he gave me four of the best allies on the planet. Even when we fight, it’s all cool.”

“What’s up, anyway?” I tilt my head to the side and watch the cab amble along ahead of us. “Bored of your wife already?”

He barks out a laugh. “Don’t ask aboutmywife. Not when I’m hearing rumors aboutyours. We share a wedding anniversary, Timothy? That’s so romantic!”

“Fuckkk.” I roll my eyes. “Guess I never considered how weird you’d be about that. Cordoza told you?”

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