“What about Cornelius? He’s an isolated target.”

“Cornelius is staying here tonight, in the same building where I put Rynda. Matilda is with his sister and brother at their family ranch. He called them while en route. They are coming over in the morning to view Zeus.”

“When did you find this out?”

“When I got up to deal with Rynda. I would’ve told you about it if you didn’t leave in a huff.”

We walked through the door into the bedroom.

“What will attacking the Harcourts do to Brian? Brian is our first priority.”

“Nothing,” Rogan said. “I don’t believe Vincent cares, but even if he did, he botched an attack on Rynda. As you said, the retaliation is expected.”

He shut the door and turned to me. I stared back at him.

“Let it out,” he said. “You’ve been holding it in since the phone call.”

“He threatened my family,” I ground out. “I watched him let a creature eat a man while he was still alive, in front of his niece and nephew. He enjoyed it, Rogan. I saw it in his eyes. He would’ve killed us all, even Rynda’s kids. I know he’s a monster. And then he calls here and pretends to be urbane and charming and wants to have a polite conversation. He’s like a serial killer who butchered a person in plain view, washed his hands, and went to a costume party.”

“He’s a psychopath. He always was one.”

“There is a disconnect there, Rogan. He did horrible things and he doesn’t even realize how screwed up it is. He doesn’t feel bad. This can’t be the first time he did this. How did he get to the age he is without someone realizing what he is?”

“He’s a useful asset to his House,” Rogan said. “His usefulness outweighs his unsanctioned excursions. They punish him, they talk sternly to him, but in the end they need him. Other Houses knowing that Vincent exists is enough to keep them from attacking Harcourt.”

“This is what bothers me.” I spun around and began to stalk back and forth. If I didn’t move, I would explode. “What kind of world is it where Vincent is necessary? Where he’s an asset. Where Dave can just kidnap people off the street and nobody will do anything about it? Don’t you see how terribly fucked up this is?” I stopped. “And I’m about to drag my sisters and cousins into it. I’m scared, Connor. I’m scared out of my mind.”

“When you are in it, you have no idea it’s not normal,” he said quietly. “I didn’t realize until I joined the army that everyone didn’t live like this. This is what we’re fighting against. If the conspiracy succeeds, Vincent will get free rein.”

All of the fight went out of me. I sat on the bed. “The further I go, the less choices I have. We’re not even a House yet and already I have to make sure we look strong enough to not be attacked. Everything I do from now on has to be dictated by getting more magic, more power, more wealth, just so we can survive.”

He knelt by me, resting his hands on my arms.

“If I don’t do this, my own grandmother is going to crush us. I’m not just responsible for making sure I put a roof over my family’s head and food on the table. I’m now responsible for their lives. I want to murder Vincent Harcourt before he lets his beasts tear my mother into pieces. I killed David and I have nightmares about it, but now I want to kill Vincent, because I have no choice. Even the choice of my husband has to be calculated based on some genetic bullshit that says Rynda is a better match than me . . .”

I’d said too much. I clamped my mouth shut.

“Do you love me?”

The question caught me off guard. “Yes.”

“Do you love your family?”

“Yes.”

“Would you do anything to protect them?”

“Yes.”

“Then it doesn’t matter, Nevada. Nothing’s really changed. I love you. You love me. We’re together. I don’t care about genetic matches. You told me before it didn’t matter. Did that change?”

“No.”

“Then we’re okay.” He slid his warm hands down my shoulders and took my hands in his. “Every world has dangers. There are muggings, shootings, car accidents, drug addictions, abusive relationships. It has nothing to do with being a Prime. This is life. The only difference is, now you can see the dangers more clearly.”

He squeezed my fingers.

“Your grandmother was a threat to you before you were even born. Your father didn’t run away from her because she was a loving and caring mother. He found your mother and married her without any genetic matches. You are at least as strong as Victoria Tremaine. The difference between you is education and experience, and you can get both.”

I took a deep breath.

“It’s all coming too fast,” he said. “A lot happened in the last two days. You met your grandmother, you registered for trials, you dealt with Rynda, you fought Vincent and almost died. You need time to sort through all of this. But you are here tonight, and nothing will touch you while I’m with you in this room. I promise that I won’t leave no matter what the hell happens and if I go, we’ll go together.”

I put my arms around his neck and hugged him. The warm strength of him felt so good. Reassuring.

His arms closed around me. “I’ve got you. It will be okay. I’ve got you.”

We stayed like that for a long time.

Chapter 7

“Wake up,” Rogan said in my ear.

My eyes snapped open. I flailed for a second in the sheets and sat up, blinking.

He watched me with an amused grin. He was already up and wearing dark pants and a loose T-shirt. The morning light streamed through the window wall. I had overslept.

Morning. Harcourt. All remnants of my dreams fled. I was wide awake.

“Arabella dropped this off for you.” He put a large suitcase on the bed.

I unzipped the bag and threw it open. Baby Desert Eagle and four magazines, underwear, sweaters, jeans, socks . . . A Ziploc bag with my toothbrush, deodorant, and makeup. Condoms in bubble gum flavor. She would pay for this.

“You have a weird look on your face,” he said.

“I’m trying to decide if this means I’m kicked out of my house.” Considering the fight I had with Mom last night, I wouldn’t be surprised.

“Now that would be an interesting development.” He crossed his arms. “You have no place to go.”

“This isn’t funny.”

“It’s hilarious. The stuff of romcoms. Disowned by her family, thrown into the arms of an obsessive, paranoid billionaire . . .”

I threw a pillow at him. It stopped three inches from his face. He pushed it aside with his fingers, leaned over, and kissed me. The pillow landed back on the bed.

“I’m your only hope. Face it. Your only chance to strike out on your own and take over your family business, eventually destroying your evil grandmother.”

“I already run my family’s business. And I don’t want to destroy Victoria. I just want her to leave us alone.” I climbed out of bed and realized he wasn’t wearing shoes. A piece of chalk lay on the table. The last time he was dressed like that and had chalk with him, he performed a ritual to recharge his magic. “The Key?”

He nodded. “I’ll need the power. The documents for a Verona Exception were filed with the DA this morning.”

The Verona Exception meant the State of Texas acknowledged the conflict between Houses and washed their hands of it. It would give Rogan free rein to attack the Harcourts on Rynda’s behalf.

“Was it granted?”

“We’ll find out in the next hour or so.”

“You didn’t go personally?” Lenora Jordan, Harris County District Attorney, wasn’t Rogan’s favorite person. He thought she was dangerous, which was why he preferred to deal with her directly.

“I told you I would stay with you.”

He did. If he promised, he would stay with me. It was as simple as that.

“Besides, if I went personally, Lenora would’ve spent some time explaining the folly of helping Olivia Charles’ daughter to me. I’m disinclined to tolerate a lecture. I sent a team of lawyers. I have things I need to do.”