Wicked Edge (Realm Enforcers, #2)(27)

Adam cleared his throat and shoved another set of papers at him. “There were seven explosions in Russian mines last night, in addition to the one on the island.”

Cee Cee hummed happily from the sofa.

Daire cleared his throat. “Don’t tell me. The mines belonged to Ivan Bychkov.”

Adam glanced over his shoulder at the woman and then back at Daire, who already faced her. “Either Bychkov or his people. Rumor has it that the Consortia is pissed and out for blood—Bychkov’s and whoever attacked the mines.”

Daire cut Cee Cee a hard look. “It would take an incredible amount of time and resources to coordinate such an attack, don’t you think?”

Adam frowned, no doubt catching undercurrents. “Why yes, Daire. Yes, I do think that.”

Daire turned his focus on his younger brother. “Sarcasm?”

“What is going on?” Adam growled.

“I’ll let you know as soon as I know,” Daire said evenly. Oh, the woman was going to tell him everything, but he preferred to hear it first before sharing with his brother. “Which will be soon.” The second he got her home, to be clear.

She finished eating and stretched out on the sofa. Exhaustion created dark circles under her eyes that all but emanated from her too pale skin.

He grimaced. He’d used her hard, and that was after she’d been severely injured, healed, and dunked in freezing water. According to Bychkov, she was weak. How, Daire didn’t know. In fact, he didn’t know shit, now did he?

Adam cleared his throat. “Five of the mines, including the one on the island, were mining planekite.”

Daire’s attention focused. “So they’re destroyed?”

“Yes, but we’ve been able to determine all five sent shipments to Seattle before being attacked.” Adam sat back, nostrils flaring.

Then it was getting from Seattle to Dublin, somehow. “How big were the shipments?” Daire asked, standing up and having to duck to keep from hitting his head.

“Pretty damn big,” Adam said.

Wonderful. Daire reached into a cupboard and drew out a blanket before settling it over Cee Cee. He dropped to his haunches and smoothed the hair from her face. “Go to sleep and let your body heal itself. When we get home, we’re gonna talk.”

Her lips trembled, and a definite apology glimmered in her beautiful eyes. “I enjoyed last night,” she said softly. Then she shut her eyes, and before he could respond, she slipped into sleep.

He returned to the table.

Adam lifted a dark eyebrow. “What the heck?”

“Later.” Daire reached for the nearest shipping manifest. “We have work to do.” And work they did. They went through all the mine records, all the official shipping records, and everything they could glean from their allies. He catnapped every once in a while, but tension rode him hard and he couldn’t completely sleep. The plane refueled in Greenland and took them on to Seattle.

Daire awoke Cee Cee twice to make her eat something, and each time, she fell back into dreamland with a grateful sigh. Her body naturally sent out tingles as her flesh healed, and true relief swept through Daire when the burns on her arm slowly faded. Thank God, he hadn’t scarred her for eternity.

Even when they landed, she barely stirred when he carried her from the plane to the car on the private Jetway. They drove through town, and she slept peacefully in his arms. He enjoyed holding her, allowing himself a moment to just relax and feel.

Finally, they reached his penthouse and he carried her up to the door. She struggled, and he set her down on the marble floor. “Whatever your escape plan is, it’s not happening.” He pushed open the heavy door and nudged her inside, closing it firmly behind them. His place was warm and clean, and he settled into home. While Simone had decorated it with black leather and green accents, he liked the peaceful feeling of the sofa, chairs, fireplace, and massive Brenna Dunne landscape painting of Ireland.

Noise clanged from the kitchen area followed by the scent of waffles. Damn it. He’d forgotten he’d told the prospects they could hang at his place while he was out.

Garrett came into view first, chuckling. “I think the brunette was much—” He stopped short, mouth dropping open.

“I’m back,” Daire said, belatedly realizing the kid was staring at Cee Cee. “This is—”

Nicholai Veis, a demon ally and right hand to demon leader Zane Kyllwood, prowled behind Garrett, his hands full of plates of scrambled eggs. He barely stopped in time to keep from running into Garrett. His dark eyes focused on Daire and then on Cee Cee, before he slowly set down the plates on the round glass breakfast table. “What in the world is going on?”

Daire frowned. “What are you doing here?”

Nick’s gaze didn’t leave Cee Cee. “Checking on Logan Kyllwood.”

As if on cue, the young demon jogged out of the kitchen carrying jars of syrup. He smashed into Veis and slid to the side. “What the heck?” Then his gaze followed his friends’, landed on Daire, and moved to Cee Cee. “Mom?”





Chapter 10


Cee Cee winced and didn’t miss how quickly Daire rocked back on his heels. Forcing a smile, she crossed the room and leaned up to press a kiss to her youngest son’s cheek. He stood so tall all of a sudden and so handsome. Light green eyes, pure black hair, angled features. “Hi, sweetie.”