Kell frowned. “He wasn’t mated.”
“No, but . . . although rare in witches . . . there have been children created without the mating bond.” Simone clacked keys in the background. “I’ve found records from the turn of the century. There may be a child out there.”
Kell lifted his head, his thoughts swimming. “If the kid was close to Demidov, he may want revenge for his father’s death. Especially against the Nine.”
“He or she. Could be a woman.” Simone sighed. “Women like revenge just as much as you men, if not more.”
“Good point. Keep working that angle and report to Daire.” Kell kept his eyes on his mate, wondering if there was a way to get to her father in prison for some more answers.
Simone huffed. “I don’t work or take orders from you, Kellach Gideon Dunne.” She ended the call.
Alexandra scrunched her nose. “Gideon?”
He sighed. Damn Simone and her loud voice. “My middle name. My cousins all use it when they’re irritated with me.” Unfortunately, that happened far more than he liked.
“Your cousin is, rather, tough.”
Kell smiled. “You remind me of each other.”
Alexandra took another sip of her coffee. “Really?”
“Yes. Strong and somewhat sassy with deep loyalty and hidden sweetness.” Life had created them both as survivors, but they’d die for those they loved.
“If you say so.” Alexandra set her cup on the end table and slid from the bed. “I need to get ready for work.”
“What’s on the agenda today?” Kell asked, wondering if there was time for some fun in the shower.
She swallowed. “My father’s parole hearing is today, and I am scheduled to testify.” Standing in her bare feet with only one of his big T-shirts covering her, she appeared young and fragile.
Kell fought the urge to put her back in the luxurious sheets. “What’s your testimony?”
She sighed. “He said if I help him get parole, he’ll give me all the info on Apollo from the top down.”
“Do you trust him?”
“No.” Regret shimmered in her eyes, and she twisted the hem of Kell’s shirt near her thighs. “I don’t want him out or anywhere near my mother.”
“I’ll keep your mother safe.” The promise escaped Kell before he could find a gentler way to make the vow.
Alexandra studied him. “If anything ever happens to me, will you promise to protect her as well as my sister?”
He nodded, touched way out of proportion to the request. “You have my word.”
“Thank you.”
He cleared his throat. “Did your father ever hurt you or your sister?”
She shrugged. “No. He didn’t much care for us, but he didn’t hit us. Although he was mean as hell to my mother.” Alexandra frowned. “How did you know about him?”
“His name came up as a known associate of Spike Evertol, and we investigated him,” Kell said.
“Oh.”
“Speaking of your life.” Kell strode over to the other end table and opened the drawer to tug out the manila envelope. He tossed it to Alexandra.
She caught it, her hands slapping together. “What’s this?”
“Background on you. Considering the king gave it to me, it’s probably everything.” Kell glanced around for his watch.
“It’s not opened.”
His gaze landed on her. “No. I figured I’d rather learn everything you want me to hear from you and not the king. The envelope is yours.”
She eyed him, a small smile playing with her lips. “That’s sweet.”
He coughed out a laugh. “Nobody has ever called me sweet.”
“Then they don’t know you.” She skirted the bed, all long legs and smooth skin, and stretched up on her toes to kiss his chin. “Thank you.”
Denying his curiosity had been fucking worth it to feel that one touch. “You’re welcome.” He allowed himself a moment of peace to enjoy her nearness before turning back to business. “Is there any way I can accompany you to the parole hearing today?”
Hope flared in her eyes only to be quickly squelched. “No. As long as you’re undercover, we can’t be seen together, or I’ll lose my job. Plus, you need Titans of Fire to believe you’re one of them, right?”
“Right.” He rubbed his eyes. “So far, we haven’t gotten Pyro to admit his connection to Apollo. I don’t think he’s high enough on the food chain to know the manufacturer, but he can get us a lot closer.”
“What’ll make him trust you?” she mused.
“Giving him guns, probably.” Kellach held up a hand. “That was the deal. We’d supply guns, and he’d supply Apollo. The trade is supposed to happen tomorrow.”
She shook her head. “Tell me you don’t have guns.”
He pressed his lips together.
“Kellach.” She slapped her forehead. “You’re kidding me.”
“We have the guns, and if we trade, we’ll get them back.” He shrugged. “We’ll do what is necessary to trace the drug to its manufacturer. You know that.”