Surrender (Careless Whispers #3)(58)

“Did you work out this morning?” Marabella asks innocently, making my cheeks heat.

“We did,” Kayden replies, winking at me. “A perfect way to start the day.” His phone rings next to his plate and he grabs it, pushing his seat back. “Carlo.”

I nod and he walks out of the room, which hits me as interesting. He never talks business in front of Marabella, so what are the lines he’s drawn with her? What does she know and not know?

“Anything else before I leave?” Marabella asks. “I can swing by and clean up later.”

“I’ll do it,” I say, eager to regain some privacy. “You’ve done enough.”

“Are you sure?”

“Of course. Thank you for breakfast.”

“Okay. If you don’t get time, I’ll be here tomorrow.” She tilts her head. “You feel good?”

“Yes, good as new now. Well, except for a few holes in my memory.”

“Did you talk to Nathan about that thing with the journal?”

“I did. He says these things are normal with amnesia. I’m improving, and that’s what’s important.”

“That’s good.” She starts to turn away. “One thing. Giada really wants both of us to go shopping with her for her new place.”

“When?”

“Friday.”

Two days from now. I’m not sure I feel good about anyone going shopping this week, and Kayden and I need to talk about protecting Giada and Marabella. “I should know tomorrow if I can make it happen.”

“It will make Giada so very happy. I won’t tell her until we’re certain, though.”

“Sounds good,” I say, watching her disappear, fairly certain we have to get her and Giada on lockdown for now.

I stand and carry the plates to the sink, taking care of the mess by the time Kayden returns.

“Carlo seems to have a solid handle on dealing with the aftermath of Alessandro’s demise,” he says, joining me on my side of the island and leaning against it. “We’re going to sit down in the next few days and hammer it all out.”

“What about Niccolo’s second-in-command?” I ask, leaning against the counter directly across from him.

“The drug goes in his drink tonight, and he shouldn’t wake up tomorrow.”

I hug myself. “That’s good,” I say, though the word good chokes in my throat.

“Ella—”

“I don’t need coddling, Kayden. I don’t like calling death good, but sometimes it is. Sometimes monsters have to die.”

“Monsters always have to die, sweetheart. Because if they’re really monsters, they can’t be saved.”

“I know,” I say. “Believe me, I know. And changing the subject: what can I say and not say in front of Marabella?”

“Anything that extends beyond basic hunting, keep to yourself.”

“Enzo wasn’t basic hunting.”

“Enzo made a mistake while hunting,” he reminds me.

“Should we get her and Giada under lock and key until this is over?”

“The last thing we want is Niccolo seeing us act suspiciously when his second dies. I have men watching both of them. Now, I’m changing the subject. Adriel tells me you pressed for Matteo to check the security system.”

“I did. I still don’t think I tore those pages from my journal.”

“We’ll spend tonight going through the security feed together.”

“I’m glad you aren’t discounting my concerns.”

“There is nothing about anything you do, say, or think that invites me to discount any concern you can’t shake.” His cell phone buzzes with a text and he glances at the screen, then me. “Blake and Adriel just pulled into the garage.”

He motions for me to follow and we head out of the kitchen.

“Isn’t this earlier than expected?”

“Apparently, Blake called Adriel for help and needed an early pickup. He was being followed, and he didn’t know the city well enough to ensure he broke free without support.”

“We didn’t even get time to talk about what to discuss with him,” I say as we head down the stairs. “Is his wife with him?”

“She distracted the person following Blake, and stayed behind.”

“Where are we meeting him?”

“Right here in the office,” he says as we reach the foyer. “I don’t want him getting the run of the castle.” He looks at me. “Leave the necklace out of things, and the part where we dispose of our enemies. But to protect Sara, he needs to know that there’s dirty CIA and the mob involved.”

“Dirty CIA?”

“Yes. Someone set you and your father up.” He punches the button on the wall and the door begins to lift.

A minute later, Adriel and Blake are standing in the archway. Today must be “black” day, because they’re both wearing the uniform as well. Blake and Kayden lock stares, and I don’t know what passes between them, but what concludes seems to be some sort of mutual respect, even if it’s temporary. Adriel gives Kayden a nod, and then disappears. Kayden motions Blake into the tower and seals us inside.

“This is an absolutely fucking amazing place,” Blake says as we move into the office.