Page 110 of Burned

Apparently, his hold over Gregory has loosened, while his control over me tightens.

I loosen my hand from his grip.

Gregory shoves his glasses further up the bridge of his nose. “I’m only looking at the system. Whoever left this here wasn’t trying to hurt anyone in this house. It’s not like it’s an explosive. They were trying to learn something about it.”

The word lands hard. The room feels desperate.

The medic finishes wrapping my hand. Lucian watches every movement.

Always watching…

“Isobel said Carlos likes to watch without being seen,” I say. “Always watching.”

The room contemplates. Isobel looks down at her hands. Lucian doesn’t look at her. It’s almost a conscious choice.

Right now, I almost wish I couldn’t read him as well as I can.

“He used to do it even before the warehouse,” Isobel says quietly. The word warehouse moves through the room like smoke under a door.

Lucian’s expression turns lethal. “Do not mention that place in my presence,” he says. “Ever again.”

Isobel flinches.

I hate that a part of me is glad he spoke so harshly. And the other part wants to reprimand him.

Rafe’s voice cuts through the pressure. “Let her finish.”

Lucian’s eyes move to him.

For one second, I genuinely wonder whether this will become a murder scene.

Rafe doesn’t blink.

Silence.

“It sounds like something he would do.” She sighs. “That’s all I’m trying to say.”

Blaze curses.

Isobel flinches.

Gregory closes his eyes as if asking God for patience.

Blaze looks at Isobel. “You are very committed to knowing almost enough.”

“I was kept in rooms,” she snaps. “Not board meetings.”

My stomach twists. “Are you saying Carlos knows where we are?”

“No one outside the family knows about this place,” Lucian says. He reaches for me, holding me in his arms before he turns back to Rafe. “We should have swept this house before we ever brought them into it.”

Rafe says nothing. Smart man.

“The place is impenetrable,” says Blaze.

“Aye.” Bayne’s voice is calm. Dangerous. Not soothing exactly, but steady.

“You’ve built a nest up here fit for a raptor.”