“Never. But I would trust her with my family.”

And that they definitely were.

Hauk knocked back the drink in one gulp and pinned his gaze on Nyk. “And I can read you as well as you read me. Why do you want her gone so badly?”

“I don’t. But…” Nyk let his words trail off as he gulped his own drink then poured another. “She’s been acting out since Zarina was born. It’s almost like she thinks that now that we have another daughter, she’s not wanted anymore. Truthfully, I don’t know what to do. She stays out all night. Drags home the kind of dregs we’re paid to kill, and then dares me to lay a hand on them.” He growled low in his throat. “I’m a trained assassin, Hauk, and they’re dating my precious little girl. Putting body parts on her… and that’s just their hands, that I know of. Any idea how hard it is for me to let them leave my house upright and in one piece? She won’t even let me give them a damn bloody nose. Gah, it’s more than I can bear.”

He scoffed at Nykyrian’s irritation. “And now you know why your father-in-law had you shot… multiple times.”

Nykyrian glared at him. “I curse you, Hauk… may you live to raise a beautiful daughter. And I hope you have more than one, you son of a bitch.” He slung his shot back even faster than Hauk had. “Thia’s been way too serious with this latest veriton. I’m thinking if she’s gone for six weeks, he’ll get bored and move on to someone safer.”

“If he doesn’t?”

“I still have a few places left to hide bodies no one knows about.”

Hauk laughed then sobered as he seriously considered the offer. In all honesty, Thia would be a welcome distraction. While she didn’t care for roughing it, she could cook better than either of them. And the additional body might keep the memories of Keris at bay. It wouldn’t be the same as it’d been when he and his brother had gone alone to Oksana for Endurance.

Best of all, Thia actually liked him.

He inclined his head to Nykyrian. “I’ll be more than happy to spend a few weeks with my first love. Besides, as an Andarion princess, she needs to have this on her résumé.”

“Just don’t let her think for one instant that I’m doing this to get rid of her.”

“Trust me, I know. You’re doing this to get rid of her boyfriend.”

“Exactly.” Nykyrian headed to the door to readmit Darling to his office.

Before he could open it, Hauk pulled him to a stop. “Thank you.”

Nykyrian held his hand up to him. “Estra, mi dreystin.”

Taking his proffered hand, Hauk pulled him into a rare familial hug and repeated the Andarion words of loyalty that literally translated to anytime, my brother. But the Andarion connotation was much deeper than that. It was an oath of absolute kinship. One that bound them closer than blood.