Page 48 of Tyrant (The Villetti Chronicles)

She nodded slowly.

“One of Dad’s men… no one important.” She winced at her own words. “I mean, in his organisation, that is.” She shook her head. “I can’t believe he’s dead.”

It couldn’t be easy for her knowing someone her own age had died. And it meant I needed to do something about Derek McGovern before this got worse. There was no doubt in my mind it was his handiwork. I needed Arlo to find out exactly what happened. Then I could come up with a plan to make this little problem go away.

I clicked out of the video and typed out a quick message to Arlo before tucking my phone back in my pocket. My hand went to Ari’s jaw. I stroked my thumb along her cheek.

“I’m sorry, Tink.”

She gave me a sad smile.

“Not like I haven’t seen it before.”

The heartbreak in her voice had me pressing a kiss to her forehead.

“Our world is unforgiving.”

“You’ll keep me safe, though, won’t you?”

“Always.”

The lie stuck in my throat. Keeping her safe wouldn’t be easy. There were things I had to do she wouldn’t like, but in times of war, you had to get your hands dirty.

“Now, come, let me clean you up and then you can help me make us lunch.”

She blinked.

“You want me to help you?”

“Mmm, you can cook, yes?”

She nodded even as a little furrow appeared in her brow.

“Then you can help me.”

Without letting her respond, I shifted her off my lap and got to my feet. I put out my hand and pulled her up to hers. Then I took her into the bathroom and wet a cloth to wipe her face with. She was quiet as I did it and made her blow her nose in a tissue.

I pressed a kiss to her mouth when I was done without thinking about it. It was my first instinct to show her affection, even though I shouldn’t.

“Good girl,” I whispered, pulling away and taking her hand.

When I glanced at her after tugging her from the room, her cheeks had darkened with a blush. It made me smile as we made our way downstairs. I set her a few tasks in the kitchen before my phone rang. Moving away into the dining area, I answered it.

“Yes?”

“Our contact tells me Bennett went after McGovern, but he was ambushed by Derek’s men,” Arlo said without preamble. “That’s how the kid ended up dead. They’re all laying low, but it won’t be for long. If you want to intervene, you need to do it before that happens.”

Arlo knew I had to do this for Ari, even if he didn’t approve of my relationship with her. I’d spoken to him about it more yesterday after Ari’s little interruption. He’d do as I said, even if he didn’t agree with my plans.

“Find a way to get info on Derek’s activities and then we’ll go from there,” I said in a low voice so it wouldn’t carry.

“Consider it done.”

“Is my brother behaving himself?”

“Other than flirting with anything that moves? Yes, but it won’t last long. Enzo never stays out of trouble.”

“Maybe he should have stayed abroad.”

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