Page 24 of The Death Dealer

CHAPTER8

After he finished his meal, Trevor placed a call to Fintan.

“And why would ya be bringin’ me into your cracked plans, ya scut?” his friend asked with his standard surly growl.

“I’m not, other than to ask you what the future holds for the girl, and for us, if we’re caught.”

“Sure, and the Fates could be listenin’ right now. Did ya even think to cloak us before ya dialed me number?”

“I’m not an idiot, Fin.”

“Pfft. That’s debatable, it is. You’re a feckin’ eejit if you’re thinkin’ this won’t have consequences, yeah?”

“That’s why I need you. And Draven.”

“And the Aether.”

Trevor grimaced. “I’d rather not involve him if I can help it.”

“Well, seein’ as I’m sitting here in his study, you’ll not have a choice.”

Fuck.

Damian’s smooth, albeit amused, voice came across the line. “Hello, Blane. Care to tell me why you haven’t brought Soleil home yet?”

“She wants some orchid or another from Stockton.”

“That takes all night to accomplish?”

“We’re kind of stuck here. Blockers,” Trev confessed. He winced as he heard Fintan’s savage swear and Damian’s cool apology to the man for letting his emotions get the better of him. “We aren’t in danger,” Trev hurried to say. “Stockton’s private and prefers not to let people bounce in and out.”

“Let me get this straight. You’re telling me you intend to help the man who has trapped you, along withmy wife’s sister, on some godforsaken island?”

“Well, when you put it like that…”

“How exactly wouldyouput it, Blane?”

“Probably like that. But Lily’s a kid, Dethridge. I don’t know why this one matters; she just does.”

A long pause greeted his statement, and Trev held his breath, awaiting a response.

“All right. If Fintan can see no danger and Soleil is returned safely by tomorrow evening, I’ll not interfere.”

Exhaling his relief, he nodded, although the two men couldn’t see him. “Good. So, you’ll release Fintan and Draven to teleport here in”—he checked his watch—“seven hours?”

“If they’re willing to get involved and thwart the Authority. The choice is theirs.”

“Thank you, Damian.”

“Don’t thank me yet. When you return, we’re going to discuss why you would allow Soleil to traipse halfway around the world after a bloody plant.”

The situation would’ve been funny had it not been serious. “I’ve got no say in anything Soleil Stephens does, man. That’s one female who does whatever the hell she wants. I’m just along for the ride.”

“See that she doesn’t come to any harm.”

As soon as Trev signed off and sent word to Draven to call him, he padded to the connecting door to check on Soleil. Inching it open, he peered through the crack. She was snuggled into her comforter, with the lamp still casting a soft glow over her pretty peaches-and-cream skin. A book was crushed to her chest, and it appeared she’d fallen asleep while reading another steamy historical romance by Bateman. Soleil certainly loved her romance novels.

A grin curled his mouth. As he shifted to close the door, her voice drifted to him.

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