Page 97 of Seeking Shadows

I clench my jaw, my mind already half on Mia, half on the mission. "Not without Mia."

I pause, gathering my thoughts, then continue. "I’m trying to delay production of this drug as long as I can. But whoever came up with the recipe was a genius. It’s nearly impossible to replicate. Highly lethal."

Charlie snorts, her disbelief evident. "Laura Murray created the recipe, Zane."

"Laura Murray created the recipe, Zane."

My jaw clenches. No surprise there. The woman was brilliant butobsessed with the chemical synthesis of psychotropic compounds.

"That explains the complexity," I mutter, rubbing my eyes. "Its active ingredient is a modified alkaloid, probably derived from ergolinic acid, but with an unusual side chain. The attempts I'veseen at replicating it all have stereochemistry deviations, reducing the potency. But if someone gets the configuration right…"

"It’s going to be a massacre," she finishes.

Exactly.

Silence stretches on, but Charlie isn’tone to stay quiet for long.

"Have you spoken to Mia?"

My spine stiffens.

"I didn’t get the chance."

But I used that information as an excuse to fuck her senseless. Who am I kidding? I’m so messed up that I’d have forgiven her, even if she really did kill him. Maybe that makes me a bad person, but honestly, I can’t bring myself to care. When it comes to her, all the lines blur, and I’d do anything to keep her close.

She lets out a short, humorless laugh.

"Stop running away from difficult conversations."

I snort, leaning back against my sit.

"Charlie, I’m not sure she even knows she didn’t kill Carter. She’sjust trying to survive this in her own way. Right now, convincing her to leave is what matters."

"She doesn't think she’ll be accepted into TSOC, does she?"

My silence speaks for itself.

"You know, when the time comes, I’ll be by your side, right?" Charlie’s voice turns firm. "I won’t let anyone hurt Mia, no matter her past."

I grip the phone tighter.

"I know."

And I know she means it.

But Mia wouldn’t believe me if I told her the truth—that she can’t be killed, even if she did kill people from the Society of Crow.

She was under inhumane conditions when she did it.

Then there’s the affair, and the fact that she’s my wife.

Her trial would be held by the four wives of the leaders, two of whom are Mia’s friends. Even if that doesn’t affect the fairness of the trial, Mia has a good case and people who’ll listen. Giulia Ross would probably be the hardest to convince.

They say she’s brutal. But I still have the family card, since I’ve known Trevor since he was a kid, and I learned she’s Pietro Barone’s sister—Laura’s sister’s husband.

So, in a sense, she and Mia are family. That should count for something. Plus, she can’t be harmed without a good reason. I don’t think Andi would condemn Mia. She’sfair. So is Logan.

"Take care of things for me."

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