Page 65 of The King's Sword
“She hired someone to take care of it for her so she can keep her hands clean.” She recalled what she’d heard back in Lynk. “He said he’d do it in such a way that blamed Avoni for my death and that it wouldn’t be traced back to Lottie.” Thinking over the conversation, she wasn’t sure it was Ex Lottie had been talking to. It could have been someone from Lynk.
Evander tapped the map, examining it as if it held all the answers he sought. “This person could have hired Ex so it would be traced to Avoni.” He leaned over the map. “I think we should take Ex out. We hide the body so no one finds out. That will buy Sabine time to make it out of Avoni safely and…return home.” He glanced up at Sabine. “But you still won’t be safe. If Lottie hired someone to orchestrate it all, you’re still going to be in danger.”
She nodded, wondering how they could stop it for good since marrying Rainer hadn’t done the trick.
“I’ll take care of Ex tonight,” Evander said. “I want to do it before he leaves the area or gathers reinforcements. Then Sabine and I will leave in a day or two.”
“Where will you go?” Gemma asked.
“I’ll escort her back to Lynk.”
Sabine pinched the bridge of her nose. She was in way over her head. Staying alive in Lynk would be infinitely more difficult since she didn’t know who Lottie had doing her dirty work. At least here they knew Ex was after her, and she had Evander to protect her. In Lynk, she’d be all alone.
The two siblings kept staring at one another. Sabine got the impression there was more going on between them than she was privy to.
“What about the kidnapped Bakley children?” she asked, wondering how she could live with a man who was capable of such things.
“When you return, discuss the matter with Rainer. Hopefully, he will release them as a gesture of goodwill,” Gemma answered.
“And if he doesn’t?”
“Sometimes you have to choose the lesser of two evils,” Gemma said, her focus returning to the map before them on the table. “Back to Ex.” She pointed to the map. “What are you thinking?”
“I can’t involve the family,” Evander replied. “I’ll have to deal with him on my own.”
Cold terror filled Sabine. “I don’t think that wise. What if something happens to you? I can’t let that happen on my account.”
“The second Evander stole you,” Gemma said, “he set this in motion. He must finish it.”
It seemed everyone knew he’d kidnapped her. “The assassin would be after me regardless of whether Evander took me or not. He doesn’t need to be solely responsible for keeping me safe. Let me help.”
“No,” Gemma and Evander said at the same time.
“You’ll stay here where it’s safe,” Evander said.
“And my brother brought you into Avoni,” Gemma said. “He is responsible for your wellbeing. If something happens to you here, Avoni will pay the price.”
It didn’t seem fair since the person responsible for her situation was Lottie.
“We’re both trained, and it will be an equal matchup,” Evander mused.
“Which is why it’s important you have a plan,” Gemma said. “The sooner you face him, the better. Try and have the element of surprise.”
“I agree,” he mumbled, observing the map.
“Am I the only one who thinks this is a bad idea?” Sabine asked.
They both looked at her. “Yes,” they answered together.
She rolled her eyes. “I don’t want Evander hurt. I’d rather you take a unit of men with you.”
“He can’t involve the family, our assassins, the sentries, or anyone else for that matter,” Gemma said. “He has to do this alone and quietly. No one can know.” She looked at her brother. “You’ll have to clean this one up as well.”
“I know.”
“I don’t want you to put your life at risk for me,” Sabine said, clutching onto his arm. “If something happens to you, I’ll never forgive myself.”
He turned and faced her, his eyes intense with emotion. “I have to return you to Lynk,” he said. “Agreed?”
