Page 16 of Stutter

I step out into the brisk Parisian air, holding the phone to my ear. “Okay I’m in the clear. What did you hear?”

“Seems the Elders believe someone is targeting Syndicate members.”

I nod even though she can’t see me, turning around to look at Raven being handed another basket to stuff more books inside. “Okay?”

“Seems Chase’s case is no longer being ruled an accidental drowning.”

Shit. My guts feel like they’re being twisted every which way, my breakfast wanting to make a comeback. “Why?”

“The hyoid bone was broken. It’s often seen in homicidal strangulations, not accidental drownings.”

Fuck fuck fuck. I keep my eyes on my gorgeous girl, heading up the staircase that holds the other part of the bookshop. “I see.”

“Darling, I’m going to send one of my best men-“

“That’s really not necessary, mother.”

“I know. But it’ll help me sleep better. Don’t worry. He’ll stay out of sight.”

“Who is it?”

“Ivan Sokolov.”

“The Russian, former Bratva guy?”

“Oh good, you remember him.”

“Mom-“

“Listen to me because I don’t have much time. I can hear your father already clambering around upstairs, getting ready to come down and have breakfast with me. You are still fresh in this world, Jonas. You were not born of my body but I love you just the same. If I can keep you safe in whatever manner I can, I will. Ivan was an enforcer. He blends well in the shadows and is easily theman I trust the most in the world. He could be watching you now and you’d never know it. Please, if someone is murdering Syndicate members, I want you to have a fighting chance. I know you can take care of yourself. I know this. But like I said, you are too fresh in this world. You’re new blood in the brotherhood and had I not been arranged to marry your father; I would have left it behind decades ago. I need you to – oh, good morning husband.”

I can hear a grunt in the background. “Good morning, wife. Which one of our deserters are you speaking with?”

Mom laughs a fake, cheery laugh. “Jonas, my love. Your father grunts hello.”

I grunt back.

“Will I see you for Christmas?”

“Of course. London again?”

“I’m not sure. The cabin in Vermont has sat a little too empty. It may be high time to celebrate a holiday in America again. Go skiing. Would Raven like that?”

I grin. Already thinking about my girl. Accepted her as a daughter. “I think she’d love it.”

There’s a knock on the window above me, Raven waving at me to hurry up and come inside.

“Which reminds me, what do you think she’d like for a gift?”

The answer is simple.

“There’s a bookshop off campus, a really big one. She lost all her books in the fire and I want to help replace all of them. I know Monroe tech was flopped off by the senior Monroe’s old bookstores, but I think she’s doing her best to not have further ties to them. She’s been supporting a lot of indie authors.”

“Oh, darling, that’s such a lovely idea.” She sniffs, pausing and then I hear her exhale slowly. “She really is the future Mrs. Anderson, isn’t she?”

I grin up at the love of my life that’s gotten tired of waiting for me and has gone back to graze the bookshelves, touching the spines lightly, eyes closed in concentration as if they’re speaking to her. “Yeah, she really is.”

Chapter Four

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