Page 107 of Commanding Blood And Bonds

“You’re just withdrawing some cash. Your assistant called ahead. You remember the plan.”

“Couldn’t she just transfer it out?” he asked, glancing between Tessa and the bank entrance.

“I could,” Tessa agreed, “but Freya’s right. We don’t want a trail. I’m good, but I’m not that cocky. I can’t fathom the Paladins don’t have someone better.”

“In short, cash is king,” Brody added helpfully, earning a snort from soap boy where he sat in the passenger seat with his boots on the dash.

“So why don’t you do it?” Blaz shot back. I leveled him with the glare that deserved.

“Because while Brody is too sexy for his shirt, the man belongs in a museum.”

“Rude.”

I ignored the giant. “He’s over seven feet tall and, at best, looks like he’s in his early thirties.”

“Again, rude.”

“You’re nearly the same age as your cousin, and according to your mother, the two of you look alike.”

“Blond hair and hazel eyes hardly make me a doppelgänger,” Blaz grumbled.

“But add some ink illusions,” Tessa tapped his knuckles, where her father had enchanted look-alike tattoos based on intel from Reyna’s spies, “and some tacky fashion choices, and you’re golden.”

“But if we sit here any longer, that’ll raise suspicion, so either shit or get off the pot,” I said, blinking pointedly.

“Ohhh,” Blaz groaned. “I’m gonna regret this.”

“That’s the spirit.” I slapped his back, then leaned over to unlatch the handle and kicked open the door. “Now, move your ass. I’m with you every step of the way.” I tapped my earpiece as Tessa hoisted her laptop, showing him his body cam feed. I quickly decided I would keep her. It was rare to find another female who carried the same chaos I was born with.

“You owe me,” he growled, stepping out of the SUV and straightening his slacks.

“This is going to work,” I said, returning his glare when he tried to laser-beam me into surrender. “You love me and you know it.” I blew him a saccharine kiss before shooing him away and slamming the door closed.

“Pop. His. Cherry?” Brody asked from the front seat.

“Eh.” I shrugged. “He’ll get over it. Now hush—I promised him we’d listen. We’re sure this ID will work?” I triple-checked with soap boy, who was allegedly a convincing forger. He flipped me off, and I burst out laughing.

“Alright. Any objections? Speak now or forever hold your peace.”

“I can hear you, you know?” Blaz snarled—then cleared his throat. Was it an absolute Hail Mary pass—throwing Reyna Gwyne’s mortal son into the role of conman?

Hell yeah.

Did I think it would work?

Abso-fucking-lutely.

Was I having way too much fun pushing this kid out of his comfort zone? Yup.

Besides, his mama and her crew were busy hunting the fuckers who killed Darius, determined to reverse-engineer their reaper venom bullets before all-out war sent everything sideways.

“Yes. Now be a very good boy and open the door for the people ahead of you. Thieves don’t have manners, and they definitely don’t hold doors.”

“Lord forgive me,” he muttered before straightening and jogging ahead to open the door for the arm-in-arm couple across the lot.

They dipped their heads with a pleasant thank you, and I watched Blaz step inside behind them.

I glanced at Tessa’s computer. I had to admit—doing this with tech was a lot more fun than doing it without.