Page 55 of Lethal Salvation

“Well, we’ve moved to the London safe house for starters. Our intel leads us to understand that Marsha was behind the attack on you, Gideon. We’ve managed to find footage of the man we believe was shooting at you. Unfortunately, he was found face down in the Thames two days ago.”

“Anyone we know?”

“Nobody who’s been on our radar. Richard Brown. He was a British national, ex-army, dishonourable discharge for conduct unbecoming. He became a gun for hire. He was responsible for a few low-level hits but nothing like this.”

“How do we know it was Marsha and not my brother?”

“Carter has his own team, and he might have been bragging but he wasn’t wrong. His team wouldn’t have missed. They’re all elite former special forces soldiers and, in another life, I would’ve hired half of them for this team.”

“Why hasn’t Marsha got the same kind of protection if she’s involved like we think she is?”

“Her protection is provided by Project Cradle and we think she went outside for this because it wasn’t part of the plan.”

“So, it isn’t happy families after all?”

“No.”

They stopped at a Victorian-style warehouse in Cottonfields that the team owned. It looked rundown from the outside but had been converted inside. The doors opened and Titan drove straight inside the bottom level, which had been utilised as a garage and storage area.

She moved to get out and saw Gideon looking at her, his skin pale as he looked around.

“Are you okay?”

He cocked his head looking at her intently. “Where are we?”

“Our safe house in London.”

“You didn’t drug me, does that mean…”

He didn’t finish his sentence and she immediately saw the concern and read the reason. “It means Bás is trusting you.” She reached for his hand. “And believe me when I say that doesn’t come lightly.”

He let out a breath like the air going out of a balloon. “Great.”

“You honestly didn’t think I’d let anyone hurt you, did you?” She was surprisingly hurt by that thought.

“I don’t know what I thought, but after last time, it crossed my mind that I might end up with cement boots.”

Duchess laughed. “Don’t be silly. Nobody does that anymore.”

Gideon pretended fear and she laughed, and he joined in with a grin. “Oh, that was nasty.”

“Serves you right for thinking the worst of me.”

“Yeah, I guess I deserved that. I just… I’ve never known anyone like you and it’s unsettling.”

“I know but we’re gonna fix that.”

She led the way upstairs to the open-plan layout where the rest of the team was waiting around the giant dining table. A huge pot of chilli filled the room with a gorgeous smell that made her belly rumble loudly.

“I guess by the sound of Duchess’ gut we’re gonna eat and talk at the same time.” Lotus came over and hugged her in a rare sign of affection. “Hey, how are you doing?”

“I’m okay. Processing bit by bit.”

“It takes time. Just let it come and don’t be shocked if it hits you out of the blue sometimes.”

“Thanks, Naz,” she said using her friend’s real name.

“Now dig in. I don’t cook often so enjoy.” She pointed a spoon at Gideon. “Hope you like it hot.”