Page 128 of The Wild Charge

Eden made ago ongesture, which had Raven narrowing her eyes.

“They said no one inquired about me, but they could have been lying.”

Eden traded a glance with Axelle, whose expression showed dawning understanding.

“That would mean both the security company and the hotel were in Abacus’s pocket,” Axelle said, frowning, and shook her head. “I dunno.”

“Have we not already agreed on the powerful and far-reaching part?” Raven asked.

“Yes, but my experience with these sorts of groups – not that I’ve faced one this big, I’ll admit – is that, while they do possess an awful lot of sway and have hand-picked stooges in positions of power, they can’t control everything, despite portraying themselves that way.

“I looked up the company you hired,” Eden continued, “and they have a sterling reputation. All the celebrities use them. They were photographed escorting a Kardashian just last week. You didn’t hire a corrupt agency, Raven.”

“Then what’s your theory?”

“That someone contacted them and told them to drop you. Perhaps even threatened them.”

“Yeah, but, unless they tapped her phones, how would they know she’d hired them?” Axelle asked.

“Maybe they didn’t. Maybe they knew she was here and assumed she’d hire the firm with the best reputation.”

Raven made a frustrated sound. “Even if you’re right, why does that matter? It doesn’t change that we’ve been threatened.”

“I want to know where the leak is,” Eden said, “so we can pinch it off. Somehow, your movements were made known. They knew you were coming to New York, and this is Ian’s usual New York hotel. If they can find out flight records, they could find out which rooms were booked – they might even know Ian usually rents the same suite.”

“Icertainly didn’t tell anyone outside of the family,” Raven said.

Silence.

And then Raven’s expression smoothed. Her brows went up, and her head turned slowly toward her sister.

Oh no, Eden thought, stomach turning over again.

“Cass,” Raven said in a careful, brittle voice.

Cassandra had the same ice-blue eyes as all of Devin’s offspring, but hers were currently wide and frightened as her gaze shifted from face to face. “What? You don’t – you can’t seriously think I’m that stupid.” Strained and desperate: “You don’t think I told anyone, do you?”

“Not maliciously, no,” Eden said. “But have you spoken with any of your friends about coming here? About what’s going on?” She spotted the iPhone resting on the coverlet at Cassandra’s hip, its case a colorful splash of anime characters in dynamic poses. “Any Twitter? Facebook?”

“No!” Cassandra’s expression went fierce, hands balling to fists on her thighs. “I’ve known my family was screwed up since I was four-years-old!”

Eden winced internally.

“It was always ‘don’t talk about this,’ and ‘don’t tell anyone what your brothers do,’” she went on, eyes brightening with tears. She gestured toward the other room. “Iknownot to run my mouth.”

Eden felt ruthless for wanting to turn the screws – God, what did that say about her future maternal instincts, wanting to grill a teenager? – but this was too important for feelings.

She didn’t have to step in, though. Raven’s gaze narrowed to a terrifying angle and she said, “You’re constantly on that bloody phone.”

Cassandra swiped at her eyes, but didn’t back down; she pivoted so she sat sideways on the bed, facing her sister, spine straight and tense. “Yeah, talking to my friends. Posting my art. I’m not talking about our crime family’s secret whereabouts! Oh my God. Do you really thinkIdid this?” Her gaze swept toward Axe, and then Eden, brimming with contempt. “I’m not a kid. I know that people would kill me to hurt my brothers. Iknowthat. Is it so bad if I talk to my friends about TV?”

“No,” Eden said, aiming for soft. “It’s not. It’s only–”

Raven interrupted. “It’s bad if your friends are some sort of catfishing–”

“Oh my–”

“Ladies,” Eden pleaded. “Can we–”

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