Bones (Dark Kingdom, #5) — Chapter no 36

CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

BONES

SHE LIES NEXT to me with her eyes closed, sound asleep. I cleaned her up after we were done, and she didn’t even move. The poor thing is still exhausted.

I get up out of bed, grab my cell out of my jeans pocket, and pull up a number, sending a quick text. Once done, I get dressed and exit the room, closing the door behind me.

Titan is on his phone sitting on the couch, Cross and Grave are both standing in the kitchen, and Tristan is over at the floor-to-ceiling windows. I walk over to him. “Thanks again for the help today.”

He nods. “You know I’ll help you however I can.” His eyes go to the closed master suite door and then back to me. “She has to go back to

Vegas.”

“I know.”

“Do you have men you can put on her? She’s going to need around-the- clock detail. Until we know who else is involved, we can’t risk her safety.”

“The only person I trust who isn’t here is Luca, and he’s in no condition to protect her.” I sigh heavily. Nite is another option, but he’ll already be in France. He’s got the tracker, and he’s staying there with it until we arrive.

We couldn’t just send a tracker and drop it off. It needs some sort of movement.

“I’ll call Avery,” he says, pulling his cell out of his slacks.

“Isn’t he in Canada?” I ask. Avery is his older brother. I’m not as close

with him as I am Tristan, though.

Tristan nods. “But you can trust him.”

“I know where they are.”

Tristan and I both turn around to see a sleepy-looking Mia standing outside the bedroom door, fully dressed once again.

“Who?” Grave asks, shoving a piece of pie into his mouth that he ordered from room service.

“My brother and Richard. I know where they are.”

“Where?” Tristan beats me to it.

“When we arrived in New York, they took me to my father’s warehouse.

That’s where they kept me until the auction. They’re staying there.”

“Did you see your father?” I ask, and she shakes her head.

I look over at Tristan, and he shrugs. “Might be our best bet,” he states, understanding my silent question.

Running a hand through my hair, I sigh. “Text Nite. Tell him to drop the tracker and come right back,” I order Titan, and he nods.

“But I thought we needed him to stay there with it,” Grave argues.

“That was when we wanted them to come to us. If we can get to them before they leave New York, then there is no reason for him to be there. He needs to be here with Mia while we go after her brother and Richard.”

She steps toward me. “Dillan, I can help.”

“Absolutely not. You will stay here in the suite with Nite.”

“But—”

“Your life is not up for debate, Mia,” I interrupt her. She’s had too many close calls as it is already. I’m not taking any chances. If they realize what we’re up to and somehow get their hands on her, I’ll never see her again.

Matteo would kill her just to prove a point. And I wouldn’t be able to live without her.

Her eyes dart around the room as if expecting someone to back her up.

That won’t happen. Not one man in this room would allow the woman they love to put themselves in danger to help out.

“Nite responded. He said he’ll drop the tracker and come right back.”

I nod. “We’ll be ready.”

MIA

I SIT ON the end of the bed while Dillan dresses in a pair of black jeans and a black T-shirt. My arms are folded over my chest, and my hair is wet from my recent shower. I’m wearing nothing but a towel. I tried to get some rest last night, but it didn’t happen.

This is our second day here in New York. After he turned down my help, I was pissy. He kissed me good night, and I gave him my back. It only took him seconds before he was snoring away. I lay awake, staring up at the dark ceiling and thinking about the last twenty years of my life. Or lack thereof.

He doesn’t know it, but I have a plan too. One that will show him I’m not so helpless. I want Dillan to know that I want him, not need him.

“It’ll be okay,” he says, and I glare up at him.

He thinks I’m concerned for his safety. I’m not. Not really, anyway. I have no doubt that Dillan will do what he sets out to do. I just hate that he wants to keep me wrapped in bubble wrap.

Walking over to me, he places his hands on either side of my body and leans his face down into mine. “You’ll be safe here. Nite is staying behind.

And as soon as we’re done, I’ll be right back.”

I remain silent, and he sighs. Leaning forward, he gently kisses my forehead and then stands to his full height. “It’ll all be over soon.” With that, he turns and exits the bedroom.

Falling onto my back, I look up at the ceiling and close my eyes, taking in a deep breath. My clock has officially started ticking. Who knows how much time I have? Opening my eyes, I rush into the bathroom, knowing that it’s now or never. I quickly tie my hair up in a high pony. Can’t chance it getting in my way.

Going to the closet, I open the suitcase he had brought me. I dig around in it for some clothes when I see a small black Gucci bag hidden in a zipper compartment. Frowning, I open it up and smile when I see a note. “A girl can never be too careful.” And I know exactly who put it there.

Once dressed, I crack open the bedroom door just in time to see Nite walk into another bedroom across the large living room. He’s like all the rest—thinks I’m not going to fight back. That I’ll just sit here and wait for Dillan to return. Taking care of my brother and Richard is only part of the problem. And I know what they are about to do will start a war. One that I’m not willing to chance. The Kings have too much to lose. Not only their Kingdom but also their loved ones. Too many people have already been hurt because of me. I’m the only one who can stop this.

Exiting the master suite, I softly close the door behind me so he thinks I’ve gone to bed. Then I tiptoe through the suite and slip out the front door, closing it as quietly as possible.

I make my way down the hallway to the elevator. Feeling my heart pound in my chest, I silently pray I can get out without Nite catching me. I wouldn’t be surprised if Dillan put some kind of silent alarm on these damn doors.

Pushing the button for our private elevator, I watch over my shoulder for the penthouse door to open, but nothing happens.

The ping that alerts me the elevator has arrived makes me flinch, and I jump in, repeatedly pushing the button for the doors to shut until it closes me in. Once it does, I lean my back against it and close my eyes, once again preparing myself for what I have to do. Consequences be damned.