"Cole? What—"
She sees it then, the flowers and the black ribbon, and her face goes pale.
My hands curl into fists at my sides.Not yet.
"What is it?"
I stand, trying to put my body between her and the arrangement, but she's already seen.
"Get Chesca. Don't let her see this."
"Cole—"
"Now, Angelina."
Her eyes hold mine for a beat. Then she turns and disappears inside.
I pull out my phone and grip it hard enough to feel the case crack. Kade on speed dial. Two rings.
"Tanaka. What's going on?"
"Flowers. At her house. Delivered overnight."
His voice drops. "Same signature?"
"Belladonna. Black ribbon. Card says justice delayed is justice denied."
A pause. "Get them out. Bring them to the facility. I'll have everything ready when you arrive."
"Copy."
I hang up and turn back to the house.
Angelina stands in the doorway again with Chesca's hand gripped tight in hers. Chesca looks confused and worried, reading the tension in adults who've stopped pretending everything is fine.
"Cole? Are we still going to the park?"
The question lands somewhere behind my ribs. Her purple butterfly is clutched in her free hand, held carefully so she doesn't crush it.
I make myself breathe. Force my voice into something that sounds calm.
"Change of plans, Hime. We're going on an adventure."
The street sounds continue around us, birds and distant traffic, someone mowing their lawn three houses down, as if the world didn't just tilt.
Sloppy. You got comfortable. You let yourself believe this could be normal.
The guilt is a fist in my throat. The diplomat's daughter had eyes like Chesca's, dark and trusting, and I failed her too. Let my guard down. Let the wrong people get close.
Never again.
My hand stays loose at my side, but I'm already running calculations. How many people need to stop breathing beforeAngelina and Chesca are safe. However many it takes. The number doesn't matter.
"Cole?" Angelina's voice is steady, but I can hear the tremor underneath.
"Garage. Now. I'll grab what we need."
She nods once and pulls Chesca toward the garage door without arguing.