CHAPTER SIXTY
Connor
I don’t let go of Raina’s hand as we stroll into Griffin’s office. I called Shane earlier and asked him to meet us here.
I place the evidence bags on Griffin’s desk. The shredded fishnet stockings and the purple blouse are sealed up in clear plastic. Hopefully, they will expose a truth that will smash the current brotherhood to dust.
Raina stands tall beside me, chin lifted, jaw tight.
Shane looks down at the bags and runs a hand through his hair. “We can’t test these ourselves.”
Raina’s head snaps toward him with quiet, controlled anger. “Why not? I can’t trust—”
“Chain of custody,” my younger brother explains, voice cool but steady. “I already have a detective on the take writing a report on the attack. The minute we claim we processed it, we’ve put the prosecutor’s case in jeopardy.”
“Jesus Christ,” Raina mutters. “How long will that take?”
Griffin strides back to his desk from his wraparound view of Lower New York Bay, ending the call he was on.
“That was the mayor. He’s briefing the DA he assigned to the case right now.
The code names Valdrin revealed didn’t mean much to us, but their special crimes unit has been tracking those bastards. They want this case. They’re hungry.”
“ How long ?” Raina repeats, keeping calm.
“We’ll put pressure on them,” Griffin answers.
“Noel is going crazy looking for Valdrin,” Shane adds. “He ordered the knights to kill him, according to a new housekeeper I put on our payroll.”
“No, no, no,” Raina cries out softly.
Soothing her, I say, “They will not find him, and if they do—”
“We will kill them,” Griffin says, voice low and predatory. “I’ve heard enough to recognize Valdrin as kyre . The way Ares Zervas recognized me. Plus, it looks like he’ll be family.”
If Griffin wants Raina to pass out, he might as well tell her I bought a ring.
“Tahiri knows something is coming down with you both gone,” Griffin continues. “He’ll probably implode and do something stupid soon.”
“Does this mean I’m next in line to rule with Valdrin?”
I chuckle. “Look who wants to be a princess after all.”
Raina flashes me a grin. “A warrior princess. Armor, not gowns. Knives, not glass slippers.”
I brush a hand through her long blonde hair. “Or combs. So I can find you again if you even think of disappearing on me.”
We kiss. It starts soft, but she leans in like the room isn’t full of people making plans to murder the enemy.
My hand slides to her hip, pulling her close. Christ, she’s starving for me.
Griffin clears his throat. “Guys.”
Raina sighs against my mouth, but we pull apart.
I press a final kiss to her temple. “Looks like we have a couple of days to wait.”
And I know just how to spend them.