We all looked toward the burner phone sitting on the middle of the table. It was supposed to be unable to be tracked, the number untraceable, or something like that. I didn’t really understand it, nor did I care to. “There’s no way to know,” Caspien said.
“Do we retract the hit?” Griffen asked.
“No, I don’t want anything that could be seen as a link,” Caspien responded, and Griffen nodded once.
The phone buzzed on the table, the small square lit up on its front.
Unknown Caller
Cali wore a satisfied smirk and leaned back into her mate.
“I
I guess we don’t have to wait anymore,” Caspien said, motioning for Cali to answer.
(Willa)
Cali grabbed the phone, letting out a breath before she plastered on a smile.
“Yes?” She stood up the phone clutched in her hands.
“I’m doing this your way, which is a first for me,” a low voice sounded over the speaker.
“John, how nice of you to call,” Holden rolled his eyes, “But how can I be sure you didn’t just bribe the bartender for my information?”
“You can’t,” I leaned forward in my seat, tracking Cali’s movements. The room had fallen completely silent, “But I don’t know many who would cross him. You said yourself they would end up dead.” Cali chewed her lip and nodded once, “So, you want to meet?” The man went on.
“Yes, somewhere outside the city. Tomorrow.” Cali’s voice didn’t waver, I would have been consumed by nerves. I admired her steady confidence.
“I know just the place. I’ll send you coordinates when this phone reaches outside the city-.”
Cali shook her head, “This phone is untraceable. I’ll text you on this phone when I’m outside town, and you send me the coordinates.”
He was silent for a long moment, and I held my breath, worried this deal would be off and we would be back to nothing.
“Okay,” He breathed.
“How will I confirm it’s you? That you’re the person you claim to be?”
After another long pause, I even felt Caspien tense up next to me.
“I’ll bring confirmation.”
“Your passport,” Cali snorted, and the guy on the phone laughed once.
“Some men that only answer to me.” He responded as if that meant anything.
“And I have to take your word for it?” Cali asked a playful note underlying her hard tone.
“You do.”
It was Cali’s turn to pause.
“See you tomorrow, John,”
“I want to know your name-,”
Cali hung up, somehow getting the upper hand on the assassin king himself.
She sat back in Holden’s waiting arms, her face passive, but I could see an amused glint in her eyes.
“If only we had some leverage, some collateral,” Caspien idly stroked my thigh, and I welcomed his comforting touch.
“He doesn’t have a mate; my sources say he’s not marked,” Griffen said, looking at Cali, “That John guy, was he marked?”
“I didn’t look,” She chewed her lip and shook her head, “I don’t think so, though,”
“I heard a rumor he killed his own mate,” I spoke up, and Caspien chuckled once behind me.
“Fairytales, love,” he said, brushing his lips to my temple.
“Don’t patronize me,” I scoffed, but scooted back into his touch.
“If he does have someone, she’s probably locked away, with all of those that surely want him dead, she would be the first target.”
“He’s always surrounded by his enemies,” Holden shrugged, “Keep your enemies close and all of that,”
“Wait,” Cali jolted up, and Holden almost spilled what was left of his drink. Again.
She paused for a moment and chewed her lip, deep in thought, “The old woman,” she whispered.
“The bartender?” Griffen asked.
Cali nodded once, still seeming lost in her own mind “There was something weird about her, something off. I noticed it immediately.”
“She does seem to have an in with The Silent Assasin.” Griffen nodded, “But would it be enough? I doubt he has much affection for his employees.”
“No, that’s not exactly it.” Cali said, “It was her that was weird, her mannerisms. She was watching him, us, almost jealous,” Her brows tugged together, “Her movements, her actions, they seemed so out of place, so jarring.”
“How so?” Caspien stopped rubbing my thigh, and I nudged him to continue.
“Sorry,” He whispered. I could feel his smile on my neck, and it sent a shiver coursing through me.
“She seemed young, acted young,” She shook her head again, “I can’t describe it.”
“Your age is only a number or whatever,” Holden shrugged, trying to grab his mate’s hand and pull her back to him.
“If I were him, I would hide my mate in plain view,” Nora mumbled, her eyes closed, “No one would think he was that s.tupid, and it would be so obvious no one wouldn’t think to look there…” She trailed off. Griffen tucked the blanket in around her for the tenth time. “You think this old woman is his mate?” Caspien asked, his voice sounded incredulous.
“I don’t know,” She shrugged, “But I don’t think she really was an old woman. Is that even possible?”
“Yes, magic,” Holden nodded, “I’ve heard of some shapeshifter types too,”
Cali turned to him, shifting on his lap, “You’re joking.”
“He’s not,” Griffen said.
“And all I got was a puppy in my head?” She crossed her arms, downing the last sip of her drink. Caspien chuckled once. I could feel the vibrations on my back.
“I think I’m in with the wrong crowd,” Cali went to fill all of our drinks before she stopped hers up. “You’re in this for life, baby,” Holden said, nothing but affection in his eyes as he looked at her.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.