Shit, he should have known. Now, he understood how the dots all joined together. He nodded. “You came to Steel?”
“After we received the news of Simon’s death, yes. He left explicit instructions not to involve anyone else, and not to strike out on our own. He feared my family would suffer as a consequence. My family was informed Simon died in a car crash. That he lost control while driving the hired car in Napa Valley. He hit a tree and it exploded. They said the toxicology results showed him to be over the limit, which is impossible because…”
“Let me guess—he didn’t drink.” Marcus tapped his finger on the photograph on the table while he zeroed in on the kid.
Henry nodded and he drew his focus away.
“Do you still have the files?”
“Yes. Well, at least Steel has them.”
“What did it show?”
“There’s photographs of the Padre meeting with cartel leaders, and involvement in sex trafficking across the border. Simon copied and documented as much detailed evidence as he could.”
“Good. I will need to see the files, but I suspect if Steel still wanted you to infiltrate the company, we need more than what we have. If you go in, we play this my way. You are not to go off half-cocked and strike out on your own. You won’t make it to first base. Do you hear me?”
Henry shot his gaze to him and nodded. “Steel planned to have me infiltrate Soltaire. It was merely a question of when, but the murders and the gathering took precedence.”
“This isn’t something we can put together overnight, Henry. It takes time, and once you are inside…”
“I know what I’m getting myself into, Drayton. He was my brother. I would have given my life for his. There’s no part of this plan in which I don’t get to be involved, and I don’t have expectations of returning. But I sure as shit will do enough damage that this fucker doesn’t get to be president of the United States of America.”
Marcus didn’t like it. The kid didn’t have experience in the field, and once inside, communication initially would be minimal. He would have to fend for himself until he had established trust. None of this would be easy.
“We will bring you home.” Marcus said it because that’s what they did: they never left a man behind.
Chairs scraped over the wood floor.
“Good God, that took long enough. Now that you have established that this boy is going, we’re leaving. We will reconvene next week at the portal for the Veil of Shadows, my lady,” boomed Zayn.
Marcus pushed his chair back and approached Zayn as he rose to leave. “Stay safe, and watch your backs. This Morrigan, queen of darkness, knows we are amassing against her. She sent an assassin to cause chaos, but she isn’t going to stop. Once you leave, she will look to strike again. No one is safe.”
The surly warrior stroked his sword sheathed at his side. “We will be ready, but as a precaution, I have requested a mandatory curfew for my people to reduce any public gatherings until things are more settled. We will rise and fight alongside you in battle, I give you my pledge.”
The two men clasped hands and shook before stepping apart. In turn, each member of the Assembly did the same, until Roman, the pale, abrasive vampire prince, faced him, alongside Lady Tenille.
“Innocent blood will be spilled in battle; it goes without saying. Indeed, it is hard to see the enemy from a friend when fighting for your life. Keep that human away from Isabella, or I will not be held responsible for the actions of my people, who take his interest in my future wife as a sign of disrespect. As do I. Do you hear me, Drayton?”
The vampire eyeballed him, the threat loud and clear. Marcus pinched the bridge of his nose, summoning all the patience he could.
“I’m not aware that anything inappropriate has taken place between Jake and Isabella. What about her talking to Bear, Henry, or any man for that matter, including myself? You’re being ridiculous. She’s your bride, although I do not see a ring on her finger. Anyway, you of all people should be confident of where her affections lie. If that’s not the case, perhaps you should examine why.” Marcus stepped aside to capture Lady Tenille’s hand as she smiled at him. In his peripheral line of vision, he saw Roman leave the room in a huff, shrugging his guards aside. The vampire needed to assess his relationship with the witch and fix it once and for all, because the distraction wouldn’t help any of them.
“Tell me about Arandell, and all you know of the Morrigan, my lady.”
CHAPTER NINE
Ella lit several candles. She didn’t know whether this would help, but whenever Isabella cast a spell, she used them. Lighting the last pillar candle on the coffee table, she glanced at her watch, not wanting Marcus to walk in and discover her. A surge of guilt swam through her at the thought of Marcus, and she shook her head to dispel it. Why should I feel guilty? Marcus plotted behind my back and God knows what else. Each thought heightened her anger and reinforced her intent. Her cheeks flushed and she clenched her fists. Staring at the stairway that led to Nate’s room, she knew she couldn’t scream or yell out her frustrations. Therefore, she used the emotion until a ball of power throbbed inside her belly. The heat of that anger fanned out, filling her veins and making her fingers tingle with the surge of prickling
