Page 40 of Betrayed in Blood
The shifter didn’t need to be asked twice and jumped into the back of the jeep. When we returned to the main building, the shifter jumped out and trotted off down the road toward the bungalows.
“They seem to be working out.” I rolled my shoulder, which had begun to ache after the adrenaline had worn off.
“Yes, which is why I’m adding more. We can’t cover the entire property with our security teams, but we can set up enough defensive positions that once the enemy comes, we can funnel them into areas we want them.”
“Makes sense.” I was done with the security review. I needed a hot bath.
We parted ways in the foyer, and I headed for Devon’s bedroom. After a long bath, I crawled into bed and fell asleep.
It was dark when something woke me. I found myself enveloped in strong arms and a warm chest. I burrowed into Devon. Fingers strummed along my back, and that must have been what woke me.
“How long have I been asleep?”
“I don’t know. I’ve been asleep for a couple of hours myself. Based on when Simone last saw you, I’d guess you’d been asleep an hour or so before that.”
“Should I ask about the interrogation?”
“We didn’t learn much other than Venizi sent them. Another group of halflings.”
“It seems he’s saving his best.”
“Agreed.” He kissed my temple and then rolled away, laughing when I moaned and reached for him.
“We need dinner and more sleep. We’ll return to the manor in the morning.”
My stomach growled in agreement which made Devon give me an I-told-you-so look. We dressed, but before we left for the dining room, I pulled him to a chair and sat opposite him.
“There’s something on my mind I wanted to talk to you about. I don’t know if it’s trouble or not, but I’m worried.”
“Is this about Colantha? Is everything alright with Hamilton?”
I slapped my forehead. “I forgot about Hamilton. I should have asked Colantha. Lyra will be disappointed.”
“She’ll be here soon, and Lyra will be fine until then. If it’s not that, what is it?”
I bit my bottom lip. “I called Mom.”
“Is she alright?”
“That’s just it. I don’t know. She knew Christopher’s case was closed, and she appears to have moved on, but April still thinks I had something to do with it.” I snorted. “She thinks the cops are covering it up because of you.” When Devon’s brows lifted, I shook my head. “Not you specifically, but whoever I’m living with.”
“Aah. I suppose that isn’t unexpected.”
I was a bit surprised by his response, but let it go. “There were people at the house. I heard them in the background. More than one.”
“April’s friends?”
“Maybe. Probably. But Mom acted like she didn’t want anyone to know she was talking to me. She moved to another room and closed the door. I don’t know. We’d barely spoken for more than a minute or two when someone pounded on the door looking for her. It was a male voice. Then she said not to call back, and that she’d call me once April calmed down.”
“That does seem odd, but maybe she’s just trying to keep the peace.”
“Maybe.” Something else had bothered me. “She made a comment about Christopher’s death. That he kind of had it coming and that he’d put them all at risk.”
Devon squeezed my hand. “If he was doing business with Venizi then it makes sense.”
“Yes, but then she said, in some ways, they’re still at risk. I don’t know what that means.”
Devon dropped my hand and leaned back in the chair. He considered my words. “You think Venizi is still controlling them somehow.”
