Page 85 of Inside the Wicked

“I don’t know,” I admit.

Adam’s face falls in understanding. “I mean, if you want help with faking your death too ... epic lengths for love, if you ask me.”

I chuckle, and we head out. My dad has a car waiting for me outside the White House gates, but I know somehow Rhett will have found a way to take their place. Giddiness erupts in me as I slip into the passenger seat and I’m met with his stunning face.

“Hi,” I say.

“Hi,” he echoes, then he leans in to kiss me.

“None of that with the kids in the back,” Rix grumbles.

Rhett’s mouth twitches with a near smile as he drives off. I’m longing to see a full one. A bright, rare smile feels like distant treasure, but I’ll wait for it.

We drop Adam and Rix off at the Den as night falls, and then we head to Lumina.

“Are you sure about this?” Rhett asks as we get close to pulling up.

“I haven’t been sure about anything when it comes to playing in the devil’s playground,” I say.

Rhett takes my hand. “I’m torn to say this, but welcome to my world, little bird.”

Outside Lumina, I don’t think Rhett’s ever held my hand so tightly before.

“I’m not waiting outside if he decides to only see you,” Rhett says, handing off the keys to the valet.

I don’t mention that’s a high possibility. Silas is very particular about who he lets in. He might have saved Rhett for my sake, and to gain Lanshall and Forthson assets at the end of all this, but he knows Rhett is also the leader of a notorious network.

When we get to security, we both press our fingers to the scanners.

“Silas will only be seeing Miss Kinsley tonight,” one says.

Rhett’s hand flexes in mine, but I sigh dramatically.

“Pity,” I say, turning to Rhett. His eyes ask what I’m up to as I reach up his chest. “I’m not here as Miss Kinsley. I’m here as Mrs. Kaiser, and Silas will see us both or not at all.”

I might have officially lost my damn mind as I reach under Rhett’s formal coat, pulling his gun from his concealed holster, and aim it at the security guy’s head.

Rhett slips a tense arm around me as the other guy arms himself, pointing his gun at my head.

“We don’t have time to play, Silas,” I say. I’m confident he’s listening in.

“This wasn’t part of the plan,” Rhett says in my ear.

“Plans always go to shit anyway.”

“You continue to surprise me, princess,” Silas says with a smile in his voice.

He emerges from behind the security guards. They try to block him, but he makes them yield. The moment he’s in view, I shift my aim to him. Silas pulls out a cigarette, lighting it with a hint of a devil’s curve on his mouth.

“I wanted to see what happens when you try to separate the Kaisers. I’m not disappointed.” His gaze roves over Rhett as he blows out smoke, slipping a hand into his pocket. “You look more patched up than when I found you at least.”

It’s then I notice Silas is the first guy I’ve met to match Rhett’s tall height.

“I was under the impression you weren’t interested anymore when I came here and you declined to see me,” I say. I’m indebted to him for getting Rhett out, but I can’t smother my note of resentment that I might have avoided being taken that night if he’d let me in.

“Come—we have much to talk about,” Silas says, heading back inside.

Security look pissed as hell when we hold our aims for a few seconds longer in challenge. I smile sweetly, lowering my gun, and the one I aimed it at holds out his hand for it with a disgruntled expression.

---