Page 98 of Daniil
“Better than my heart.”
Ouch.
“I’m sorry.About everything.”
“I’m sure.”
Christ, this isn’t going well.
Not that it should, but I’m almost as worried about Courtney as I am Micah.
“Courtney, will you look at me?”
“I can’t.”
“Sweetheart, I know you’re scared.I am too.But we’re stronger together.”
“Strongertogether?”She whirls, eyes blazing.“We weren’t stronger yesterday, when they stole our son right out from under us.We definitely weren’t stronger when they cracked my skull and nearly killed Harlow.And we’re not stronger now, when you’re standing here talking to me instead of out looking for my baby!”
“I know.”I swallow.
I can’t really argue with her.We were not strong yesterday, even though there was no way to know what was going to happen.Normally, we’re prepared for all contingencies but no one should have known our plans or where we were going to be.That’s the frustrating part of this.I feel like there’s something missing—that I’m missing something obvious—but between the lack of sleep and the throbbing in my leg, I can’t fully concentrate.
“We think it was an inside job,” I blurt, hoping to distract her with information instead of emotion.
“What?”She slowly gets to her feet and stares at me.“Inside job?Meaning someone within thepalaceplanned this?”
“Or is in cahoots with theBrat, giving them information on where we would be in exchange for money.”
“But most people here don’tknowhe’s your son,” she protests.“Just the family.And the Protectors.You believe one of the Protectors betrayed you?”
“I don’t know what else to think because you’re right—only our inner circle is aware that I’m his father, although it wouldn’t be hard to guess.He has my eyes.I spend all my free time here with the two of you.I’ve brought him down to the gym almost every morning…”
“How would we out a traitor within the Protectors?”she asks carefully.
“I don’t know,” I admit.“The reason there are so few of us is because of the extreme lengths we go to in choosing them.”
“Joe,” she says automatically.“He’s the outsider.”
“What do you mean?”I ask.
“He’s a Protector but he’s not.He sits on the outside looking in, running things without truly putting his life on the line.”
“He gave up a lot to move here, take the oath,” I say thoughtfully.“I can’t wrap my head around it, but I will absolutely bring it to Sandor and Erik.”
“I’m going to ask you a question—don’t get mad.”
“Sweetheart, ask me anything.These are stressful times—no questions are unreasonable.”
“Do you trust Erik and Sandor with our son’s life?”
“Absolutely.No question.”
“All right.”She nods, as if that’s enough for her.“What about the others?”
This time I hesitate.
“Elen and Xander, absolutely.”
