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“So smart,” she murmurs.

The guys leave as we watch. My phone dings a few minutes later and Valerie looks with me as someone in a thick black hoodie and oversized pants creeps over to the letter and takes it. I wait for a chance to see the person’s face, but they stay focused on the ground until they’re out of frame.

Huffing, I shake my head. “A bust.”

“It happens,” Valerie says, sliding off my lap and reaching for her purse. Looking at her phone, she clears her throat. “Vanya just texted our group chat.”

“I saw nothing,” I say.

“You guys aren’t in it. Josefine wants to do our engagement party in two days,” Valerie murmurs. “Sophie just agreed.”

“The timing is ... less than ideal,” I reply.

“Just like when I found out you were in the mafia–mid daydream about our next day before I see you kidnap someone,” she says. “We don’t have the luxury of perfect timing–no one does.”

Sighing, we head back to the mansion. The man who tried to keep us from leaving, notices us and pales. We park and walk inside. Chase, Hunter, and Mr. Volkov arrive all of five minutes after.

Mr. Volkov shakes his head. “We will have to hope the answer suffices.”

“I’m sure it’s what was expected. No one in a position like ours is going to voluntarily offer themselves up to be killed,” Chase says.

“Except that’s exactly what you three did by going to some stupid open location and standing around for an hour,” Valerie argues. She grabs Hunter and Chase. “I’m stealing my fiancé’s back.”

Mr. Volkov nods once and heads upstairs.

We head home. The car is quiet. I can tell Hunter is fighting sleep. Chase lies across Valerie’s lap as she strokes his hair, lost in thought. When our eyes meet in the mirror, I arch an eyebrow.

“We’re having our engagement party in two days. Everyone better be alive for that,” Valerie announces.

“Two days?” Hunter groans. “Who decided that?”

“Our mothers,” I reply.

“Of course,” Chase groans. “Sophie?”

“She’ll be coming with her guys. I was going to invite Elaine from school before she can run too far away. I don’t know if I’ll see her again, you know? Other than that ... I guess Tristin?” Valerie guesses. “I don’t have a lot of close friends.”

“You don’t want to invite all your enemies too?” Hunter teases.

Valerie rolls her eyes. “I could invite every guy who’s hit on me since I started on my doctorate. Would you enjoy that, Hunter?”

“Absolutely. They all failed,” he smirks. “Men twice their age won.”

“I thought Valerie was the only one allowed to make age jokes,” Chase sighs.

“Nah, we robbed the cradle,” Hunter chuckles.

“Ew, don’t say that!” Valerie says, hitting the back of Hunter’s seat.

“What about your coworkers from the counseling office?” I ask. “Would you like to invite them?”

“We can, but it’s short notice and I know that Jane — the secretary — is on vacation. So is Leigha,” Valerie sighs.

“Let’s get some sleep, then figure it out,” Hunter sighs. “It’s been ... such a long day.”

We get home and Hunter doesn’t even make it to bed. He lies on the couch. Chase says something about needing a shower and I get started on coffee. I know I’m not tired enough to sleep, and Valerie’s been living on less than six hours of sleep for as long as I’ve known her.

“Hunt, you’ll be sore if you sleep on the couch,” Valerie says.

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