Page 121 of The Hunter's Empire

"I know." His voice softens almost imperceptibly. "I still don't want another phone call like that."

The memory comes rushing back. Aurelia's terrified voice. The gunfire. The line going dead.

"How did you even find us?" I ask.

Keith lets out a slow breath before glancing toward the ship anchored offshore.

"Aurelia and I were still on the call with you when we heard the gunfire." He runs a hand through his hair, his expression tightening at the memory. "The line went dead a second later. After that, I called everyone who owed me a favor, tracked the jet's last recorded position, and started narrowing down every island within range."

"You searched all of them?"

"I would've."

There's no hesitation in his answer.

"I got lucky. One of the coast guard reports mentioned a flare seen offshore last night. By the time we confirmed the coordinates..." His gaze settles on me again, relief flickering across his expression before he buries it. "We were already coming."

A tired smile tugs at my lips. "You really went through all that trouble for me?"

Keith looks at me as though I've asked the most ridiculous question imaginable. "You're my sister."

The answer is so simple, so matter-of-fact, that it steals any response I might have had. As though there had never been another choice. As though crossing an ocean and mobilizing half the world to find me was simply what family did.

For a moment, neither of us says anything.

Then Keith's expression shifts. His eyes move past my shoulder, settling on something behind me. I follow his gaze.

Nico stands a few feet away, silent as always, watching the exchange without interrupting. Despite the battle we'd just survived, he somehow looks as composed as ever, though I know him well enough now to recognize the fatigue hidden beneath the calm.

Keith studies him for several long seconds. "Who is he?"

The question lands harder than it should. For the briefest moment, my mind flashes back to Ireland. The mask. The Keegan estate. The truth I've been carrying ever since.

I glance at Nico. He doesn't say a word. He doesn't ask me to lie. He simply waits, leaving the decision entirely in my hands.

I draw a slow breath. "This is Domenico Valenti."

Recognition flashes across Keith's face. "Valenti?"

I nod.

"I know his father, Vittorio Valenti. We crossed paths a handful of times over the years." His gaze settles on Nico again, this time with something closer to curiosity.

"He was one of the few men who treated me with genuine kindness." A faint smile touches Keith's lips. "Truth be told, Vittorio treated me better than Marcus ever did."

At the mention of his father, Nico's expression hardens almost imperceptibly. His jaw tightens, and for the briefest moment something cold flashes through his eyes before it disappears behind the familiar mask of indifference.

Keith notices. The smile fades from his face. "I'm sorry about your father." He says quietly. "He deserved better than what happened to him."

For a long moment, Nico says nothing. Then he gives a single nod.

After a brief silence, Keith speaks to me again. "And he was on the Keegan operation?"

"Yes." I answer carefully. "If he hadn't been there..." My eyes drift toward Nico before I finish quietly, "I wouldn't be standing here."

Keith studies Nico for another long moment, as though silently reassessing everything he'd assumed about him. Then, without another question, he closes the distance and extends his hand.

"I owe you my thanks."