“I can handle anything he throws at me.”
All I can hope is that she’s speaking the truth, because things are going to get uglier before they’re done.
27
Temperance
Magnolia sweeps out of my apartment with the same dramatic flair as when she came in. As soon as the door shuts behind her, I turn to Kane.
“Do you trust her?”
“As far as I can see her.”
His answer doesn’t fill me with relief.
“So, what do we do now?”
Kane pulls me in front of him and leans down to press a kiss to my forehead. “We go back to the warehouse.”
“We’re going to come up with a plan and go nail Giles’s ass?”
Kane presses another kiss to my head. “You make art. I dig again for anything I can find on Giles that ties him to this. I have a few contacts on the dark web who might know something. He’s been a public figure most of his life, so there are plenty of people who hate him and are willing to sell him out. I just have to find the one with the right information.”
I don’t like the sound of that, but at least he’ll be safe in the bat cave and not out setting up a sniper’s nest to take out Giles.Yet.
“And then?”
“You let me worry about that.”
“Kane ...” My tone holds a note of warning. “I won’t live in the dark. You have to share with me so I don’t get blindsided again. That was our deal.”
He looks away before he cups my cheek. “I’ll tell you as soon as I figure out what the hell is actually going on. Magnolia could have lied. She always has her own agenda.” He pauses. “Don’t misunderstand me, though. There’s no way in hell you’re going to be part of anything that goes down. And if it happens quick, you might not know until after it’s done.”
I don’t like the sound of that. “But—”
“Sometimes it happens that way, and there’s not shit I can do. But I’ll make you one promise—I’m coming home to you no matter what. I’ve got a reason to live, and nothing will keep me from the life we’re gonna have together. Can you live with that?”
“As long as you come home to me.”
Two hours later,I’ve hammered out some of my tension on scrap metal, and I’ve had flashes of inspiration for several of the dozen pieces Valentina has asked me to create. The one I’m working on now is a much larger version of the piece I made for Harriet. I’m going to have to give her first dibs on it; otherwise, she’s going to be devastated. Hopefully, Valentina understands.
As I put my hammer back in its place, it knocks against metal pushed back to the corner of the workbench, between the wall and the toolbox.
The old army jeep I made for Kane.I pick it up and turn it in my hands.
I made it the day my entire world felt like it was shredding apart at the seams. Now, I can tell myself it was blowing up so I could rebuild it bigger and better.
Before, Kane was still mostly a mystery. Even though I was falling for him, I didn’t realize how much it was possible to love him.
Knowing that he orchestrated this whole plan with my brother, while it gutted me, showed me that there truly isn’t anything he wouldn’t do for me. He’s put himself on the line over and over—for me.
I’ve forgiven him, but I certainly haven’t given him the thanks he deserves. I wrap the jeep in my discarded sweatshirt, tuck it under my arm, and head for the elevator. Once inside, I realize I still have no idea how to get to the second floor.
I hit theCallbutton, and wouldn’t you know ... Kane answers.
“You stuck, princess?”
“No. But I think it’s time I see the heart of the bat cave.”