A chill went down her spine. “You shouldn’t pry into people’s thoughts, Nero.”

“You shouldn’t have thoughts around me you don’t want me to know about.”

“What thoughts?” Darice asked.

“None whatsoever.” Nero went to take Kalea, but Darice kept her in his arms. He smiled at Darice. “Why don’t I take the two of you to the hospital to be with Hauk? Knowing Syn, he won’t release him until tomorrow. He’ll want to run every test known to make sure he’s fine.” He paused to meet Sumi’s gaze. “See you there in a few hours?”

She nodded. “Thank you.”

“No problem.”

After he left with the kids and guards, Sumi went to their bedroom to dig out their backpacks that someone had delivered after their return from Oksana. No one had bothered to unpack them. She paused as she found the violin case in Hauk’s pack.

A smile tugged at the edges of her lips as she remembered how beautifully Dancer played. When this was over, she was going to make him serenade her.

And that steeled the determination in her to see this to the end, and to make sure no one ever threatened him again.

She rooted around until she located her League gear. It was time for her to go to work.

Sumi slowed as she felt someone following her. Turning into an alley, she fell into the shadows and waited.

Once the tall male walked past her corner, she grabbed him. She started to punch him then recognized the familiar form. “Bastien? What are you doing here?”

He offered her an unrepentant grin. “I figured you could use the backup.”

“I’m an assassin. I work best alone.”

“Even Nemesis has backup for these kinds of missions.”

She glanced down to his stomach where he’d been marked a Ravin by The League. “I thought you hated the killing business.”

“This isn’t business. It’s personal, and that I understand better than anyone.”

She supposed he did. “You’re planning to go after the one who killed your family?”

He nodded. “Once you’re squared away, and I don’t have to worry about the debt I owe the two of you. Hell, yes.”

“You don’t owe us anything.”

“I disagree, and Hauk would never forgive me if I let something happen to you. Besides, I don’t want someone who’s done so much for me to lose what he loves most. So let’s get this done.”

She smiled at him and the kindness he denied having. “You’re a good man, Bas.”

“Not really. I just strive to not be a bad one… or on most days, a total dick.”