Page 76 of Throne of Secrets

It wascleanup.

“What do you have?” his father asked.

“You still alive?” Ethan asked as he ghosted out of the building.

“Yep. She’s been asleep since Guardian teams left,” Lycos replied. “What did you find?”

“They're dead. Execution style.”

“And there’s the bastard’s car pulling down the street. There’s nothing on the block where you are. Everything is abandoned. He pulls back out onto the street six minutes later.”

“Tell Guardian to run the slugs on the bullets that killed these guys. It’ll probably match the gun NYPD found in his car.”

“Already typing the email to alert them of the situation.”

Ethan got back into his SUV and pulled away from the curb.

“That cleans up all loose ends,” his father said.

“How bad did Archangel grill you?” Ethan asked as he drove down the nearly deserted street.

“Why would he grill me?” Lycos asked. The innocence in his voice was hilarious.

“Accidents happen,” Max chimed in. “It was really good your dad showed up tonight to stay with Star so you could do some cleanup. Convenient you’re not around and Lycos took Star’s statements.”

A smile spread across Ethan’s face. “Damn good thing. I’m coming home.”

“Wish you would. Don’t like this city life for you,” Lycos said.

“There would be a lot to move and set up.” But honestly, he’d go back to Colorado and take Star with him. Maybe he’d wrap her in bubble wrap, too. Or foam. Maybe both.

“If you want to move, just let me know. I’ll help. I’d miss my sparring partner, but I’d find another victim.”

“Thanks.” Ethan snorted.

“Never afraid of hard work,” his father said. His voice was muffled.

Ethan narrowed his eyes. “What are you eating?”

“Meatballs and sauce. Freaking amazing.”

“Star made it. Save me some.” Ethan’s stomach rumbled. He’d only had a bottle of water all day, and his stomach just remembered that fact.

“Should’ve said something sooner,” his dad taunted him. “Stop and get yourself something before you come back.”

Ethan shook his head and chuckled. What a fucking day.

CHAPTER20

Star woke with a start, and Ethan’s arm tightened over her. “Shh … you're safe.” She looked over at him, and his eyes were still closed. Then she looked at the foot of the bed. The door was open, but Thor wasn’t in the room.

“Did you lock Thor downstairs or something?” Sitting up in bed, she pushed her hair away from her face and grimaced. “Dang, my shoulder still hurts. Did you see the bruise on it? I’m not going to be wearing a tank top for weeks.” She glanced down at the bandage on the inside of her calf. Five stitches. It was deep but not too long, and the doctor who’d made a house call …

She turned to Ethan. “How in God’s name did you get a doctor and a nurse to make a house call, and what time did you get home? Your dad is bossy, by the way. And not too talkative, although he knows cuss words I’ve never heard of before. That medicine the doctor gave me knocked me out. Where’s Thor?” She whistled and snapped her fingers. “The cops were nice, and your dad wrote out my statement while the doctors were here. They didn’t have many questions for me. They said they might return, but your dad didn’t think they would. Thor!” She clapped her hands.

Ethan sat up and gripped her chin in his fingers and kissed her hard.

“I wasn’t sure I’d ever get to kiss you again,” she whispered against his lips when he drew away.

---