on the road. "Or am I just being paranoid?"
"I don't think there's such a thing as being too paranoid when it comes to him right now," Zed replied with a heavy sigh. "We thought he was bad before... He seems a hundred times worse now. What has me curious, though, is why now? It's been five years. Why is he coming for you now and not years ago?"
I nodded slowly. "You think something triggered him? Or... he was waiting for something?"
Zed shrugged. "No fucking clue. It's just bugging me. I wish I could work out what the connection was."
"Same here." I groaned and ran a hand through my hair. "Can we stop and grab pie from Nadia's on the way? I feel like I need the sugar hit."
He arched a brow at me. "You wanna go to a Reaper business right now? We're not exactly their favorite people."
I wrinkled my nose. "Yeah, I know. But we also have to remind them who is in change. And Cass isn't actually dead."
"Alright. But maybe let's keep it quick. I don't fancy needing to clean up bodies and bullet holes tonight." He grimaced. "’Cause you know Cass would shit a damn brick if we left that mess at his grandmother's café."
I jerked in my seat. "What?"
Zed blinked at me. "What?"
"Nadia is Cass's grandmother?" I gaped in shock. "Since when?"
He gave me an amused chuckle. "Uh, I imagine since her daughter gave birth to his grumpy ass. That's usually how someone becomes a grandparent. Isn't it?"
"Oh, ha-fucking-ha. Smart ass. Why didn't I know this already? And how'd you know?"
He gave an easy shrug. "I pay attention."
I scowled at the side of his face, knowing full damn well he was winding me up. "You're insufferable, Zeddy Bear."
He shot me a quick look, a relaxed smile playing over his lips. "You love it."
I bit my tongue before I could lie and tell him I didn't. Ugh, maybe I needed to find a good therapist to help me work through all my unresolved trauma. Maybe then I could let go of all my nasty, icky hang-ups and let myself love Zed the way I already knew I did.
But then again, what kind of therapist could work with a mind as messed up as mine?
"Have you thought any more on what to do about Chase?" Zed asked after a long silence. "I know we can't just kill him, but we should at least get his DNA sample to rule him out as Gumdrop’s mysterious big brother."
I blew out a long breath, fluffing my fingers through my hair. "Fuck me, I wish we could just kill him once and for all. How easy that would be."
But Chase wasn't that stupid, and he knew I knew he wasn't that stupid. Like he'd proven with the explosives placed around Demi's Italian home, he had his bases covered. I knew it was no coincidence that he'd mentioned my FBI tail, too. He had someone in the feds firmly in his pocket, and I'd put money on it that if he went "missing," I would find myself in a jail cell faster than you could say evidence. Or worse, someone I loved might take the blame.
I couldn't risk it. Not until I was sure it was safe. Then... Well, they do say revenge is a dish best served cold. I'd bide my time. For now.
"What if Chase really is related to Lucas?" I murmured, putting voice to the fear that had kept me out of Lucas's bed last night.
Zed gave me an understanding look. "Or if one of us is?" He shrugged. "Doesn't make a difference, does it? I mean, sure, if you're related, then that's something that will probably need a whole lot of therapy because you guys used to fuck like rabbits. Ow!" He rubbed his arm where I'd just whacked him with the back of my hand.
"You're a prick," I muttered, "but you're right. Blood doesn't mean shit, even if he is related to that sick fuck. I do sort of have a plan for getting Chase's sample. It'll just depend on getting close enough."
Zed's glance was sharp at that comment. "Dare, you can't... just no. I'll get the sample. It's as easy as grabbing a glass he's been drinking out of."
I shook my head, having already thought through all the options. "I don't trust it. If we're taking a DNA sample from Chase should-be-dead Lockhart, then I want a clean, unquestionably his sample. Straight from his mouth." Or better