Whatever she feared the missive contained apparently made her direct involvement worth the risk.
He shrugged as if her decision was of no consequence to him. “Stay if you must, but don’t reveal that you’re in the city. These are dangerous times.”
“And about to become more so,” was her cold promise. Then a puff of regret. “But you’re right, as always.” She brightened, becoming almost angelically beautiful. “Once I get the letters, we’ll return home together. You’re compromised and in danger. You serve no useful purpose here. I need you at my side, Michael. Right where you belong.”
Tone grim, he argued, “We’ve had this discussion, Gen. I won’t take an active role in what you plan. I’ve lost my taste for devouring the souls of others.”
“Fine. You can stand at my side,” she concluded with a toothsome smile, “while I consume them all.”
– – –
The past reached out to tap the youngest Terriot prince on the shoulder.
“Hello, Chris.”
Startled by a voice he hadn’t expected to hear again, Kip jerked upright, banging the back of his head. Ducking under the raised tailgate of his new SUV, he struggled in his surprise not to drop the groceries filling his arms.
“Sorry. Didn’t mean to scare you.”
Olivia Brady’s smile could have been meekly apologetic. But then again, it could have meant she was planning to stuff a live grenade in his pants while his hands were full. Her appearance, that of harmless, fluffy-headed dyed blonde rich girl wearing a necklace with real sparklers and snug designer jeans, no longer fooled him. Not after he’d seen her kill with savage enjoyment.
“What are you doing here? How are you here?”
She chuckled, lively blue eyes dancing with mischief. Or maliciousness. One never knew with his mate’s sister. “You didn’t think I knew about this place? C’mon! Phe’s never been able to keep a secret from me. I couldn’t be in town and not see her. Or you. Can I come in?” When he didn’t move, she added with extra sincerity, “Please? I’d like to meet your family.”
“Why?” Her smile wavered at the harshness of his tone, but that didn’t stop him from adding, “My family has never benefited from the attention of yours.”
She reached out but stilled the movement when he edged back, rigid and defensive. Eyes going shiny, she whispered, “Maybe she could just come out here then.” When he didn’t respond or lessen his combative pose, her shoulders slumped. “Would you at least tell her that I love her and miss her?”
“Sure. After you’re gone.”
A nod and a bracing breath before meeting his unblinking stare. “I’m not evil, Chris. I’m just trying to find my way.”
“We all are Olivia. Don’t make it harder for us.”
The door leading into the house from the garage opened. For a moment, a very surprised Ophelia Brady Terriot just stared at the two of them in the drive. Her first words were cautious.
“Is everything all right, Christopher?”
Both sisters called him by his given name, the one he’d used to infiltrate their father’s household.
Before he could speak, Olivia started to back down the drive. “Sorry. Bad idea. I won’t bother you again. And I won’t say a word about where you are. I promise.”
When Phe’s expressive eyes met her love’s, against his will he caved, muttering, “Why don’t you come in and say hello to everyone?”
Lips quivering, Olivia choked out, “Thanks. I’d like that.”
Instead of hugging the half-sister who’d stepped out of her life to follow Genevieve Savorie to Chicago, Phe took the bags from Kip, letting him guide their unexpected guest inside. The couple’s wariness telegraphed to the group ranging from senior grandmother to the seven-year old youngest of six who’d gathered in the palatial kitchen area for a buffet-style lunch. All froze, staring in silence at the stranger. When Kip introduced her, little Lydia’s brow furrowed, gaze going from elegant blonde to earthy, dark-haired Ophelia.
“You don’t look anything alike.” Then the child’s expression lit up as she grasped upon another thought. “Does that mean we have a new sister?”
Instead of answering, Kip instructed, “Finish your lunch. We’ve got some things to take care of.” As the youngsters groaned but did as told, Kip shot his grandmother a quick look with a single, silent message. Keep them here.
She may have fooled him once with her helpless, innocent act, but Olivia Brady was dangerously unstable and, in a word, just plain dangerous. The two sisters weren’t opposite sides of the same coin, they were an entirely different currency. Ophelia was tender of