Page 95 of Protect Me

“Easy, Bracken. He’s merely playing a game.”Duncan warns me.

“I don’t fucking like it,”I snap.“Her life is far more important than any fucking house politics.”

“Agreed,”Duncan replies.“But we need them to think we’re getting the shit end of this deal.”

“But it’s not just one life, is it? Not if you’re keeping a muse and taking a Councilman’s life. Bargain hunter is an understatement,” Adrian says though his grin alludes to a man who appreciates such an outlook. Then again, he was the prince of the fae syndicate before his mate chose to run for Chancellor of Earth and Emerald. Their hands are no cleaner than ours.

“Do we have a deal or not?”

Nikki contemplates, her expression remaining stoic as ever. It’s no wonder the woman is head of Earth and Emerald. Honestly, I get the impression that she’s damn near as savage as the rest of us—maybe even more so.

“The murder of a member of my House on our side of the boundary would cause too much of an uproar,” she finally says. “And I cannot hand out an execution without a fair trial. However, there are quite a few supernaturals who go missing in No Man’s Land, are there not?”

The knot in my chest loosens.

“Happens all the time,” D replies.

“Then take care of it on your side,” she says. “We will chalk it up to a very unfortunate day for Robert. Wrong place, wrong time.”

“What about Sway?” I ask. I need to know they won’t be coming for her. That they won’t target the woman I love because of the secrets divulged during this meeting.

“What about her?” Nikki questions. “As far as I’m concerned, she doesn’t exist. The last thing I need is someone who can be used to manipulate the minds of so many others. Frankly, I’m surprised you all have let her live as long as you have. Seems a risky move, but I’m not one to tell others how to run their House. . . or circus.”

“Sway does not use her magic for harm,” Duncan interjects.

“Then count yourselves lucky,” Nikki replies. “You deal with him on your side of the line, Ringmaster. We’re even after this.”

“Agreed. Thank you.”

She dips her head in a nod, and the screen goes blank.

I relax, as does Duncan.

“Next time, don’t fucking interrupt me.” D stands.

“She’s our mate,” I say.

“Which is why you couldn’t take this meeting in person,” he says. “They would have sensed your desperation and acted accordingly.” He clasps a hand on my shoulder in a move that is more brother than boss. “I understand all too well the turmoil you three are facing with Sway’s life on the line, but if we don’t play it smart, we lose all leverage. Which we needed in order to get them to agree to our terms.”

“Except, now we have to find a way to lure him here,” Duncan says.

D turns toward him. “Bastards like him have a way of turning up. Sooner or later, he’ll come to us. When he does, you three have my permission to put him the fuck in the ground.”

Chapter24

Sway

Killian is in the kitchen, frying up what smells like eggs and bacon, when I emerge from his bedroom wearing one of his t-shirts. It’s big enough to be a nightgown on me, and when he looks up and sees me in it, he grins.

“Damn, you look good in my shit, love.”

“Thanks, I still don’t have a full wardrobe.”

“At this rate, I’m never letting you get one, either.” He looks up from the stove and winks. “You can have mine.”

I smile. “Where are the others?”

“Meeting with D.”

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