5. Stevie #2
“But if they’re expecting someone else, won’t they realize when they see what you look like?” I’m surprised at how invested I’ve suddenly become. If some of my clients have been their victims, this makes the whole thing personal.
“Everyone will be masked during the event,” he tells me.
My eyes land back on the man on my table who I believed died during unsuccessful heart surgery, but now I think there could be a possibility of foul play.
Would it be so bad to help Sebastian?
I squeeze my eyes shut, giving myself a chance to second-guess what I’m about to consider, but no thoughts come.
“How long do you think you need my help for?” I ask.
Sebastian’s eyes widen. “Are you considering it?”
“How long and how dangerous?”
He leans forward, flattening his hand on the steel table. “Assuming they’ll eventually move on to a new location after this season is over, I’m thinking not too long. But that’s why we need to take them down first, hopefully making Seattle their last stop in their killing spree.”
“All I have to do is pretend to be your girlfriend? Then you can get information on them and your team takes them out?”
“In a perfect world, yes. But I have a feeling this project won’t be anything we’ll be able to plan out to the last detail. Since we’re infiltrating their group, essentially pretending to be one of them, it’ll probably be on a case-by-case basis.”
Nervous energy surrounds the small, sterile room we’re in. “Okay.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah, I’ll pretend to be your fake girlfriend,” I agree apprehensively. “If that group is connected to my clients, I want to know why.”
“Great,” he says with relief. “I’ll text you with more information.”
“Okay.”
“Okay. Enjoy your night.” He glances down at Mr. Branson, then turns to leave the room. “Oh, and also, you might have to pretend to be a serial killer, too.”
What?
What have I got myself into?
My sister and I are tucked into the corner of our favorite coffee shop, The Overcast café, enjoying iced lattes and muffins this afternoon.
I’ve spent the last couple of days thinking endlessly about what I’ve agreed to with Sebastian. Am I helping Sebastian because of my own sense of justice? Or for my clients? If this group is responsible for the markings or foul play, they need to pay.
But the feeling I find surprising and a bit unsettling is the hidden desire to learn more about Sebastian’s lifestyle. Sure, he irritates me, but why does he do what he does and how? Curiosity, I guess.
When I stayed at Sebastian and River’s manor, I only got glimpses of their world and how they operated.
Like a well-oiled machine, they have an entire team of highly skilled men who like to work for them—and by work, I mean take care of things.
I was able to help a little, but only with research, and yeah, it was for my sister, but I can’t deny the rush I got from being a part of their team.
My eyes find River’s car still parked underneath the oak tree on the opposite side of the coffee shop. “Is he still outside waiting for you?”
“You know him.” She smiles, glancing over her shoulder and out the window. My sister’s over-the-top boyfriend won’t let her go anywhere without him, and she loves every bit of it. “He’ll just wait there until we’re finished.”
I laugh. “Sounds suffocating.”
“I don’t mind.”
“So, how’s your book coming along?” I continue with small talk.
“We’ve spent a while talking about me. So, let’s have it. I know why you want to talk.”
I remove the top off my blueberry muffin and take a bite before I begin. “Sebastian broke into Nevermore.”
I’m surprised I haven’t heard from Sebastian in the last couple of days, especially since the masquerade ball, where I’m supposed to accompany him, is tomorrow night.
I hate having to wait on the sidelines, waiting to be told what to do.
I’d like to get her thoughts on the whole situation.
I figured meeting for a cup of coffee would be better than a phone call.
I know my sister well, and I need to be sure she’s okay with me doing this since it wasn’t too long ago that the same Society I’m infiltrating tried to kill her.
A light chuckle escapes my sister’s glossy lips. “Yeah. Those Thompson men.” Her expression suddenly turns serious. “So, what do you think about his offer?”
“Well, I gave him some shit first.”
“Of course.” She sips her drink.
“Then I told him I’d do it.”
“And?” she prompts, like she already knew I said yes. I shouldn’t be surprised since they live together now.
I shrug. “I mean, I’m nervous, but you remember those weird markings I told you I found on two of my clients?”
“Oh, yeah?” Her eyebrows knit. “You did mention something like that.”
“Well, I found another one on a client last night,” I tell her.
“Oh, wow.”
“And I tried to hint to Dad when we had dinner the other day, but he seemed completely oblivious. Which means these deaths haven’t triggered the police to examine them for potential foul play.”
“Did you tell Sebastian about the markings?”
I nod. “Yes. I showed him. He believes they could be connected to the Society since they started appearing around the time Sebastian and River’s team found that black card.”
“I wonder if Sebastian has spoken to River about it?” She glances out the window to see his car parked in the same spot.
I sip my latte, shrugging. “Maybe.”
“More importantly, how do you feel about your involvement in all of this?” Lux asks.
I run a hand through my tousled hair, searching for the words to describe my ambivalence. “Honestly, Lux, I’m all over the place.”
“I get it. It’s a lot to take on. To be a part of something bigger than yourself is terrifying, and you worry every moment you’ll do something wrong or mess it up. And not to mention the level of danger.”
I can’t deny the drive pushing me toward doing this for my clients. Those people have a voice, too. But there is a part of me that also wants to prove it to myself.
I lean back in my chair. “The thought of being part of something bigger is incredible. Actually being able to take justice into my own hands. But if I can have a hand in saving some of them, why wouldn’t I take it?”
My sister’s eyes soften as she and I both share a moment of understanding of one another. “It’ll be risky, but their team will protect you.”
“I know,” I say. “Sebastian said the same thing.”
She reaches across the table to grab my hand. With a gentle squeeze, she smiles reassuringly. “You’re the right person to do this.”
I blow out a weighted breath.
“Also, don’t get mad, but I think while you’re working on this project you should move back into the manor.”
I cock my head to the side, expecting this to come up, eventually. It’s not the first thing I’d want to do—move into their manor—knowing that my sister will be gone with his cousin for six weeks. “I’ll think about it.”
“It would be safer. You know that.”
“I do miss Ben cooking for me.” Ben is Sebastian’s and River’s personal chef, and when I stayed at the manor, he made the most amazing food. And for someone who likes to eat, it was a dream.
She grins and nods her head. “I bet. He’s a gift, honestly. And Kristine and your other mortician Noah can handle Nevermore if you need to take some time off here and there, right?”
“Do you think I’ll need time off?” I ask, picking at the sticker on the cup. “Sebastian didn’t mention that.”
Lux shrugs. “I don’t know, but you’ll be committing to things with Sebastian, and it will take away from the mortuary at least a little.”
She’s right. I spend almost all my time at Nevermore. If I take on something like this, it could take me away from the business for a while. “I guess I hadn’t thought about it too much. I assumed I’d just have to do things here and there.”
Lux pulls her lips to the side. “I don’t know. I have no idea what it will entail, but I’d be prepared for anything. Maybe just have a conversation with them.”
I nod. “Yeah, I could make an excuse about taking on some volunteer thing and that’s why I’ll need them to step up a bit more.”
“Exactly. Something simple.” She takes a drink from her iced coffee.
“Yeah. I guess my normal routine will change a bit, won’t it?”
“Just until the project is over.”
I wipe a hand down my face, slightly panicking about not being able to come and go as I please. “I’m going to head to the graveyard this evening to clear my head.”
She tsks disapprovingly. “Dad doesn’t like when you do that close to nightfall.”
“I know, I know.” I sigh, rolling my eyes. “I have my pepper spray and my sweet defense skills.”
She laughs. “You know how I feel about all that, too.” Then her eyes widen. “Oh, and if you stay at the manor, you’ll get to continue your self-defense classes with Sensei Clark!”
“Totally forgot about their personal trainer,” I say. “I had one session with him the last time I was there.”
“He’s been great.”
Lux is trying to convince me to stay there, and if I’m being honest with myself, it’s sort of working.