“What did you find out?” Luke asked.
“According to my sources, The Knights were coming here to Blackstone,” Thoralf said. “And sending one of their top leaders, Lord Nox, to finish something that was left undone.”
Daniel tensed. “I think I know what that something was.”
“What?” Jason asked.
“Baker.” His jaw hardened. “That white-haired guy said they came for me because I stopped that assassin from killing the VP.”
Christina, Luke, and Jason all looked at each other, their expressions similar, as if something in their minds clicked together.
“What’s going on?” Daniel said. “I mean, what’s really going on? And you still haven’t told us what this place is.”
Christina pursed her lips and then folded her hands on top of the table. “You’re at the headquarters of the Blackstone branch of The Shifter Protection Agency.”
“Christina’s father created The Agency to stop threats to our kind,” Jason added. “And also, more recently, to advance our causes.”
“What I’m about to tell you doesn’t leave the room, okay?” Christina said. Everyone nodded. “Scott Baker wasn’t just in Blackstone for a speech. It was a cover for a meeting here.”
“Baker wants to help us,” Jason continued. “Though he can’t say it publicly because he’d lose the support of his party, he’s very much pro-shifter. He might make a run in the next elections.”
“A president that’s openly pro-shifter?” Sarah exclaimed. “That’s unprecedented.” With Darcey being a shifter, she tried to keep up with all things shifter relations and politics. She wanted to be in the know in case anyone ever tried to hurt her sister.
Christina raised a brow at her. “True. But more than that, Baker’s a good guy. Hates the prejudice that shifters experience and just wants to make the world a better place. We were going to meet about how he could assist in dismantling anti-shifter groups and put in more protections for shifters. The Organization and The Knights must have figured it out and tried to stop him.”
“Their attempts were foiled by our friend here,” Thoralf said, gesturing to Daniel.
“I’m sorry you were dragged into this mess.” Jason shook his head. “Your wife, too.”
It took a moment for the meaning of the words to sink in. “Me?”
“You guys are a target now,” Luke said. “Believe me, those bastards won’t stop until they get what they want. Or until you get to them first.”
“What do we need to do, then?” Daniel said.
“We’ll put a protective detail on you,” Christina said. “Outfit you both with panic buttons and tracking devices.”
“But how do we get to them?” Daniel’s hands curled into fists. “Before they get to us? Where are they hiding?”
“Whoa, man.” Jason held a hand up. “Calm down.”
“Calm down?” Daniel grit his teeth. “They nearly killed my ma—wife! I’m going to find all of them and tear them to pieces.”
Sarah stared at him, her jaw dropping to the ground. Why was he acting weird? Maybe it was the near-death experience that got him all riled up. And he was a good, selfless person after all. Surely his concern wasn’t for her in particular, no matter how her heart thumped excitedly at the thought.
“We’ll find them,” Christina said confidently. “We have our guys working on it. Top priority.”
“I should not have let them get away,” Thoralf said with a shake of his head. “I was worried for Daniel and Sarah and decided to check on them first. And now The Knights will come back for them both because I failed once again.” Turning to Daniel, he said, “I will protect you and your lady, Daniel Rogers. I swear, I will not leave your side until those who mean you and yours harm have been defeated.”
“I suggest you stay home, Sarah,” Christina said. “As much as you can. But Daniel is their target, and I don’t think they’ll come after you, especially since you’re human. That’s not their style.”
“Stay home?” she asked. “As in here? In Blackstone?”
“Yes.” The other woman’s gaze narrowed. “Is that a problem?”
“But I don’t live here,” she said. “I need to go back to Las Vegas in a couple of days.”
“Vegas?” Jason asked, then turned to Daniel. “But I thought you guys are married?”
“We are,” he said.
“No, we’re not.” She let out a sigh as every single person there except for her and Daniel looked confused. “Oh God, this is so embarrassing, but here goes.” She gave them the briefest version of what happened during that night in Las Vegas. “… and in a couple of weeks, when things die down, I’m going to file the annulment,” she finished.
“I see,” Christina said. “Knowing what you know tonight, do you still want to pretend you’re staying married?”
“Yes,” Daniel said.
“No,” she said at the same time. “Wait, what do you mean?”
“We had an agreement,” Daniel said. “And besides, The Knights already know who you are. The safest thing for you to do is stay here. Where I—The Agency can protect you.”
“But Christina said they won’t go after me.”
“I said I don’t think they’ll come after you,” Christina said. “But I can’t predict what they’ll do if they keep failing to get to Daniel.”
“They can use her to get to me, right?” Daniel asked.
“Possibly, if they get desperate,” Luke said.
“All the more reason for me to leave.” This was crazy. All she wanted to do was get an
