“Food’s ready,” Izabell announced.
Clelia took one of the serving platters. “I’ll give you a hand.”
When the two women entered with platters of stir-fried vegetables, grilled lobster basted with garlic butter, and sautéed potatoes, the men got to their feet again, their faces tight. Clelia looked sideways at Joss. His brow was furrowed and his shoulders tense. Wariness weighted her down. What was in store for their future? Did Joss throw it all away because of her?
When Izabell left the room, Joss said, “I think we should get to the point. Dragging it out isn’t going to make it easier.”
With mounting anxiety, she looked between the two men.
Cain addressed Clelia. “The fact that you’re Lupien’s daughter changes everything.”
Fear twisted around her insides. Would the fact that she’d inherited bad genes warrant her elimination, regardless of whether she was trying to do what was right? Did Cain worry she’d turn dark at some stage, simply because of who’d fathered her?
She squared her shoulders, her defensive side taking over. “How does it change matters?”
“It means you’re more powerful than what we thought,” Cain said.
“I didn’t know he was my father,” she said. “I didn’t put two and two together.”
“Neither did we,” Cain said, his voice strangely reassuring. “It means you’re a very valuable asset.”
She glanced at Joss again, who gave her a tense smile.
“I don’t follow,” she said.
Cain leaned closer. “I’d like to invite you to join the team.”
Her lips parted. She stared at him for a second before managing to say, “You mean Joss’s team? The task force?”
Joss studied her quietly, seeming conflicted.
“You’re not firing Joss?” she asked, needing reassurance that she understood correctly.
“It was never my intention,” Cain said.
“Bringing me on board was?”
Cain inclined his head. “Absolutely.”
“Why didn’t you say so from the beginning?” she asked.
“As I mentioned,” Cain said, “I first had to see which way you were going to turn.”
Clelia turned in her chair to face her husband. “What do you want?”
He considered the question for a moment. “I’m not happy about putting you in danger.”
There was more behind his words. “But?”
He took a breath. “I’ll support whatever you decide.”
Being as overprotective as he was, she understood how much such an offer cost Joss. Could she even do it? Did she have the capacity to work in such a field?
“What does being part of the team entail?” she asked.
“It varies between missions.” Cain crossed his legs. “You’d take an oath to protect good against evil. I could lie and tell you some fairytale about the honor and glory, but as Joss is well aware, it’s a dangerous job. The truth is you’ll put your life on the line and use a forbidden art to fight for a greater cause. Ours is a secret organization. We don’t follow rules or laws. The financial compensation is good, of course. But when you take the oath, your time—at least the time you’re required to work—belongs to me.”
She rubbed her palms on her thighs. “I need to discuss it with Joss. Can I think about it?”
“I’m leaving after dinner,” Cain said. “I’m afraid time is a luxury I can’t afford to give you. I have a meeting with the sponsors of the organization in a few hours and they want your answer.”
Joss took her hand and rubbed his thumb over her palm. There was sympathy in his gaze, and regret, as if he was to blame.
“How would I enhance your team?” Clelia asked.
“In any way you can,” Cain said. “Maya uses water when she must. Lann manipulates air. Your specialty will be fire. I understand how frustrating this must be for you, but I can’t give you more information without compromising the organization. I’m afraid if you come on board, it’s in good faith. You’ll have to embark on the journey blindfolded. All you have to believe is what we stand and fight for.”
Her gaze was drawn to the fire. The new power she’d first felt on the yacht had grown inside her over the months and bloomed today. After how far she’d come, her old life seemed purposeless. She could never go back to booking sightseeing tours, and killing the hours, days, and years.
“I’ll do it,” she said.
Joss closed his eyes briefly as if he regretted her answer.
“Good.” Cain turned to Joss. “We look after our own. She’ll have protection.”
“I know,” Joss said tightly.
“Your conflict is normal,” Cain said, “but maybe you’re still underestimating your wife’s strength.”
The deep line running between Joss’s eyebrows told her he was concerned. She said quickly, “Our dinner is getting cold. Shall I serve?”
“Thank you.” Cain smoothed down his waistcoat. “We should talk about the logistics.”
“We’re relocating to New York as soon as possible,” Joss said as she dished up for their guest.
“How do you feel about moving to America?” Cain asked, taking the plate she offered.
“Joss said we could take my animals and Erwan could join us, if he wished.”
“How would you like to stay in France?”
She glanced at Joss. “Is that even an option?”
Joss crossed his arms. “What are you suggesting, Cain?”
“The team is growing. Our missions are sporadic. I, myself, have decided it’s time to soak up some sun at my villa in Morocco, and Lann has just bought an old monastery in South America that he plans to renovate. I was wondering if you’d prefer staying in France. We could do with a base here.”
Hope expanded in her chest, but it wasn’t a decision to be made in a haste, or alone. “That’s something Joss and I would have to discuss first.”
“Of course.” Cain gave a nod. “You can let me know what you’ve decided later.”
They talked about Cain’s villa in Morocco and his love for the desert as they ate, avoiding any subjects related to forbidden arts.
After dinner, Cain excused himself. As soon as Joss had closed the door, he turned her
