are things I want to say, and I need a worldwide audience to say them to. I’ve never given a formal press conference from the foundation without it being in conjunction with an event, even a small one, and I don’t intend to let Joseph Blackstone—or whoever—force me into changing that tradition entirely. And I sure as hell don’t want it to look like I’m altering my pattern because I’m running scared.”
He pauses, then looks at each of us in turn. “I’m not going into hiding,” he says. “But at the same time, this is low risk. Controlled. And the reward outweighs the risk.”
“Are you sure?” I ask.
“Absolutely.”
I nod. “All right. Not that I have a say, but if you’re sure, I’m okay with it.”
“Thank you,” he says. “And you’re wrong. They don’t have a say,” he says, looking at the other three in the room. “You do.”
“Thanks a lot,” Claire says, easing the moment considerably.
“I’ll get on it right away and send you a draft,” Tamra assures him. “You’ll send me any additional thoughts you have and your edits? And some language for the press release and invitation? Also, your presentation to the staff is set for fifteen minutes from now.”
“Perfect. I’ll take care of all of that today. Anything that needs tweaking we can handle while I’m in the air tomorrow morning.”
“The air?” I mentally play back the conversation, wondering what I missed.
“I have someone to visit tomorrow,” he tells. “You and I are heading to Idaho.”
Chapter Seventeen
I watch as the Idaho countryside passes by the window of our pick-up truck. We’d come in one of Devlin’s private charter jets, leaving early this morning, and landing about lunchtime at an emergency strip about three hours from our ultimate destination. Apparently Devlin knows the sheriff, and he authorized the landing and also lent us his personal truck.
Despite curling up in Devlin’s arms last night, I didn’t sleep well. How could I with so much uncertainty stirring around us? So of course I fell asleep on the six-hour flight, and waking up to the Idaho landscape was a bit surreal. That, and the fact that I still don’t know why we’re here. Devlin’s been so busy talking to team members around the world and fielding calls from concerned contributors to the DSF that I didn’t press when Devlin promised to fill me in on the details during the trip. All I know right now is that we’re on our way to meet with an old friend.
“Right,” Devlin says into his earpiece. He’s on a call with the manager of a hotel he owns in London. Or, no. He ended that call. I have no idea who he’s talking to now. “Well, I appreciate that. Yes, it makes a hell of a story. Exactly. I’ll see you at the board meeting.”
He reaches up and taps the single earpiece. The truck doesn’t have Bluetooth, and he couldn’t hear the calls on speaker. Since there’s no one else for miles, driving with a single earpiece in didn’t seem particularly risky. Especially not compared to Devlin’s daily life.
“You need to stop taking calls,” I tell him. “I get that you have business partners who need reassurance that you’re not Satan reborn, but you’re allowed some me time, too. And by me time, I mean me. Ellie. Your girlfriend wants a piece of you, too.”
“Believe me, I want a piece of her as well. And you’re right. That’s it for today. Tamra can stack ‘em and rack ‘em for tomorrow.”
“Is it that bad?” Now I feel guilty pulling him away from crisis management.
“Honestly, no. There’ve been a few who need hand holding, but most are genuinely sympathetic. My biggest challenge is to satisfy their curiosity without losing an entire day to a primer on what life was like growing up with The Wolf.”
“I’m sorry.” I slide closer, enjoying the benefits of a bench seat, and rest my hand on his thigh. “So tell me about this friend we’re visiting.”
“His name’s Giatti. Marco Giatti. He’s old now, and he keeps a low profile, but that means his ear’s close to the ground.”
“He’s a source.”
Devlin nods, then glances down at the map on his phone. He makes a sharp turn on an unmarked road.
“You think he knows the situation with Blackstone?”
“I don’t know,” Devlin says. “Hopefully he knows something.” He turns to face me as our borrowed truck bounces over the rutted dirt road. “I brought you because I want you with me, always. But information has