On Friday we’re back in the War Room. Kayden is wrapping up details with Carlo, while I am back with Matteo, who is back to his normal, funny self, and I surmise that perhaps Kayden keeps him behind the computer for that very reason. By early afternoon Matteo and Carlo depart, and Sasha and Adriel join us in their place. The four of us take up residency at the table, our seats close, and begin reviewing the Paris plans, with Adriel and me playing devil’s advocate on each of three possible plans. Considering plans A and B require Sasha to make contact with Neuville, and use herself and the necklace she’ll claim to have as bait, I’m pleased to find Sasha her normal sassy, confident self.
Finally we move to Plan C, the only one that requires entering Neuville’s home, and Sasha and I compare notes, talk through security, and generally work through any problems that could be encountered. And again, she’s driven, focused, and ready for this fight, and I’m pleased she is the one by Kayden’s side. And oddly again, I have no flashbacks during this recap of Neuville’s private space. Maybe the chocolate shop is the final answer. Maybe I’m done remembering things.
We’ve just wrapped up for the night, all of us standing to depart, when Sasha suddenly looks at Kayden, leans on the table toward him, but doesn’t speak. I hold my breath, not sure what to expect, while Kayden seems to wait, giving her space to speak, which I admire in him, but he seems to decide she needs a firm nudge. “Say what you have to say, Hunter,” Kayden orders.
“The other day—”
“Is done.”
She gives him a three-second stare and then nods, turning and leaving. Adriel and Kayden lock stares, and I watch that exchange, aware then that Adriel objects to Sasha being a part of this mission, but I do not think he’s spoken it aloud.
“Say what you have to say, Second,” Kayden orders him.
“Are you sure she can handle this?”
“Yes,” I answer without hesitation, and when both men look at me, I focus on Kayden, deciding the things on my mind must be said. “And if you doubt her, she’ll doubt herself.” I look at Adriel. “The best thing you can do for her right now, as the man closest to her, is not to put doubts in her head. Just like I can’t tell Kayden to be careful every time he leaves here, or he’ll think about me, not his job. If you can’t do that, you need to back away from her. And you, Hawk, should tell her you chose her for the warrior she is. She’ll want to live up to it. I see it in her eyes.”
Neither man reacts, though Kayden’s eyes warm with admiration I’m very pleased to see. Wordlessly, Adriel turns and exits the room, and then Kayden is standing in front of me, tall and broad, his body towering over mine. He cups my face and kisses me. “She needs to hear that I believe in her.”
It’s not really a question, but I answer, “Yes. She does.”
“Very well, Lady Hawk. Then she will.” He starts walking away and my lips curve as I realize his intentions, and as I have another moment to fall in love with him all over again. Yes, he will kill. Yes, he will destroy you if you betray him. But that is because he is loyal to the soul.
I follow in his wake, eager to watch the events unfold.
He is already at the stairs by the time I’m in the hallway, already down them when I reach the top step. I watch as he calls out to Sasha, then watch as she turns, her eyes going wide at his approach. And even at a distance as he speaks to her, I see her stand a little straighter, determination stiffening her spine. She is pleased. She is motivated, and they are now both safer.
Kayden returns to me, his longish brown hair always just a little wild, his jaw a little shadowed while his faded jeans, biker boots, and fitted white T-shirt somehow read like an invitation for sex to me right now. I savor every step he takes until he stops in front of me and motions me down the hallway to our left.
Curious about where we’re going, I fall into step with him, past the room where Enzo died, and farther. We stop exactly where the War Room is on the other side of the castle and enter what turns out to be a giant gym, complete with mats, punching bags, and equipment.
“Okay, I’m impressed,” I say, facing him.
“Take your shoes off, and let’s go to the mats.”
“What?” I ask. “Why? Do you have time for this now?”
“What you said about not telling me to be careful got me thinking. We both need to know what the other one is capable of, what skills we each possess. We need to know that if the other one is in trouble alone, he or she can survive.”
“You know I can fight, and I know—”
He throws a punch that stops right in front of my face, but instinct has my hand covering his fist by the time it does. His gaze meets mine, a challenge in their depths. I throw a punch and he captures my fist as well. “Game on, Hawk,” I say.