Page 24 of Forever Midnight

“I know, but what if I’ve finally met someone compelling and I find myself with a choice between love and family again?”

“You’re jumping too far ahead,” Yves says. “Unless you’ve already declared your love—”

“I am not in love. I am in…infatuation.”

“Then again I say, you’re ahead of yourself. Seduce him, keep him in your bed and your care. If your feelings bloom into something else, confront it then.”

“So rational.”

Yves chuckles. “A trait I’m proud of. Now, back to the issue at hand. The goal is what?”

“Malice has damning video evidence of Tru’s sister in compromising situations. Apparently, in the throes of a drug high, she signed some kind of contract saying she belongs to them. After embezzling a million dollars, they still refuse to hand over the videos until they get the girl back. She’s in rehab.”

Yves nods, staring straight ahead with the distant look he gets when thinking deeply. I wait quietly, giving him space to form his thoughts. He already knows I’ll go rogue regardless of his support, but I’m respectfully asking for approval.

“Malice is a stain on an already dirty city,” Yves says, shifting his gaze to me. “That said, they aren’t a small-time group that is easy to pick off. You need a strategy.”

“I know. I wanted to discuss it with Syn.”

Yves nods. “Good call. You have my consent to proceed. I’ll deduct our usual payment from your year-end bonus.” The rare smirk on his face is a welcome sight.

“We don’t have year-end bonuses.”

“I guess you’ll owe me one then.”

Standing, I reach across the desk and squeeze his hand. “I owe you my life.”

Yves’s eyes soften. “Be smart, Midnight. The Malice gang is smarter than they seem.”

Nodding, I release his hand. “I know. Thank you, Yves.”

“You’re welcome.”

I take my leave, searching the common area for Tru and finding him sitting in one of two armchairs near the marble- and glass-tiled fireplace. He’s chatting with Bowie, both of their expressions serious. As I stand in the doorway simply watching, Tru tucks a lock of hair behind his ear, and the gesture sends a ripple of familiarity through me, like I’ve seen that exact movement before.

Tru turns his face towards me, the question in his eyes, and I nod. He smiles, his shoulders relaxing, and this is the moment I know Tru is going to be a significant part of my life. Who knows to what extent and in what capacity, but maybe I’ll take Yves’s advice and just stay open to it.

Syn appears next to me, his hand resting on my shoulder. “Something is different about this mortal,” he says softly. “You must sense it too.”

My chest tightens with Syn’s acknowledgment. “Yes.” I turn to face him. “I need your advice.”

“I’m all ears.”

“I need to help Tru with Malice, but we can’t just go in and take them out. They have information that needs to be destroyed. Sensitive information.”

Syn nods, his eyes trained on Bowie. Waves of love mixed with desire swirl around him, and my own heart thumps a little harder in response. Could I ever find the kind of love he has?

Syn rubs my back, smiling as my emotions reveal themselves to him. “Patience, my friend.”

I nod, squeezing my eyes shut for a moment to center myself. “The sooner the better. Tru’s life revolves around getting to these bastards.”

“Can’t say I wouldn’t like taking them out. They serve no good purpose.”

“No.”

“You and I could pay them a visit. A bit of torture tends to loosen lips.”

“I wish it were that easy. Tru demands to be involved.”

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