“I don’t believe I’ve met this young man.” Giles holds out a hand. “I’m one of the new partners in Haven.”
“Excuse me?” Magnolia says, surprise underlying her response.
“As of yesterday. I do believe that makes me your boss now, Magnolia. How lucky for you.”
She stiffens and lifts her chin. “Isn’t that an interesting development?”
Disdain drips from her words, and I get the feeling that she’s a woman who will bow to no man, regardless of the hold he has on her. And she’s apparently hooked on my brother. I can’t even picture it.
The moment of silence extends awkwardly when Kane doesn’t move to shake Giles’s outstretched hand.
“We’re leaving.”
Kane pulls me behind him as we head for the stairs. I crane my neck and look over my shoulder to find both Giles and Magnolia staring after us.
A cold chill rips down my spine. I don’t like that man, and I dislike leaving Magnolia with him even more.
Kane doesn’t speak again until we’re in the Tahoe, roaring down the driveway and heading away from the club. “You okay?”
“I’m fine.”
The gates swing open and he floors the SUV, spitting gravel behind us.
“You ever see that guy again, I want you to get as far away from him as you fucking can. Get somewhere safe and call me or text me, and don’t stop until I answer. You understand?”
The cold chill from earlier returns.
“Who is he?”
“Lewis Giles. He’s a state senator.”
That can’t be all, not from the way Kane’s fists grip the steering wheel, turning his knuckles white.
“And?” I prompt.
“He’s a piece of shit.”
“The kind who needs killing?” I ask, my tone hesitant.
“Yeah. Definitely.”
I swallow. “How do you know him?”
He finally shoots a glance at me. “Past life.”
I latch onto that nugget like it’s solid gold. I assume something awful would have had to happen to send Kane down his path, and I’m certain I’m right.
“Why is he still alive then?”
Kane brakes and meets my gaze. “Because no one’s put a contract out on him. Yet.”
29
Kane
Idon’t know how I missed that Giles joined Haven. Probably because I’ve been too tied up with Temperance to be asking questions of my usual sources of information. One more strike against Magnolia, because she should have told me. And now he owns part of it?
My membership to Haven isdone.