Page 44 of Now or Never
“Unfortunately, I’m unable to devote additional resources to your protection. As much as I might like to.”
“How reassuringDominatuscares about my well-being,” Kenna mocked. “That’s so nice.” She wanted to continue arguing the point about her captivity, or why they wanted her baby safe and what that meant for their future. But she kept her mouth shut so the president would continue.
“We’re dealing with a threat from within.” President Tetherton flashed a plastic smile. “As you can understand, it’s difficult for me to devote resources to an internal manhunt. Especially where the Pentagon is concerned. I’m new to this position, and right now isn’t time to start ruffling feathers. Which presents me with a problem that requires an alternate solution.” She reached under the table, pulled out a file folder, and pushed it to Kenna. “Take this with you. It’s everything I have.”
“I don’t have time for a case right now. Even ifDominatuscan afford me, why would do a job for people I despise?”
From across the table, Petyr said, “Because we are the reason you’re alive.”
“You’re also the source of any and all threats. So you wanna run that one by me again? How you’re the solution to the threat, or like you’ve done anything to keep me safe?”
“My English. It isn’t stellar.” He took a sip of his drink.
“That’s a lame excuse, and you understand just fine.”
Jax picked up where she left off. “We aren’t available right now. We’re working another case, and two at once isn’tadvisable. Not when the lives of people we care about are on the line.”
The president said, “The case against the lawyers is open-and-shut. There’s nothing to investigate. I’m told?—”
“You just admitted there’s someone working against you in your own government, and you’re going to bank what you believe on what you’re told?” Jax glanced at Petyr, then back at the president. “I’m not sure that’s wise.”
“Be that as it may, you now have differing priorities.”
Kenna shook her head. “You guys think we should just jump when you say so. What a shocker.”
“I’m flabbergasted.” Jax sounded like he’d been forced to watch paint dry.
She almost smiled.
President Tetherton said, “There’s time for you to help the lawyers. They aren’t going anywhere. This is time sensitive and deserves your undivided attention.”
“Because you say so.” Kenna flipped open the file just for curiosity’s sake. A police report from Baltimore PD, a murder scene. One male deceased. She turned the first page and saw a photo. “Why do I care about the death of a guy who worked in the Pentagon?”
“Someone is killing us. One by one.” The president shivered. “I can’t bring this to the attention of anyone who works for me without disclosing my…allegiances.”
“So you want me to find whoever is murderingDominatusoperatives? I’m liable to shake their hand.” Kenna put her foot down and stood, pushing the chair back. “This was a waste of time.”
“They aren’t killing assets. They’re killing offspring.” The president sat back in her chair. “Which means if there’s a list, then you’re on it. Who knows…you might even be next.”
Chapter Eighteen
“I’m supposed to believe your singular focus is my well-being?”
“Kenna, you already understand our position about the next generation,” Petyr said. “If we lose our offspring, then our hold on the world is lost as well.”
She stared at him. “That doesn’t mean I want anything to do with you. My baby is just a baby. She’s not part of your organization, and neither am I. Whether you claim a hold on us or not is irrelevant as far as I’m concerned. We get to choose our own futures.”
“Perhaps you should explain that to whoever is trying to kill me.”
“Not my fight. It’s politics, and I want nothing to do with that.” Kenna braced her hands on the back of the chair, pushing it against the table. Jax hadn’t stood yet, which meant he wasn’t satisfied he had enough information to leave with a complete picture of what was going on. She wasn’t sure he’d get that, but she could help. “If you want to take overDominatusas their supreme overlord or whatever, then get rid of the competition and take the throne. Preferably before someone else does the same to you.”
“That is what I believe is happening.”
Kenna shrugged one shoulder. “Have you made a list of suspects?”
“There’s no way to know.”
She let out a big breath. “You guys and your secrecy. You know, if you had a membership roster, you’d know who was trying to kill you.”
