I might be able to write it all off as coincidence if not for the assassin’s target. Not me. Not Broderick. Either of us would make more sense. If Broderick dies on Amazon territory, it will mean war between Raider and Amazon. If I do, it means the same thing. It wouldn’t matter that the surviving members claimed a Mystic was behind the death. They would be called a liar because of the nature of our relationship.

But Shiloh?

No one is going to war for our girl. No one is hurt by her loss except me and Broderick. No one gains from her death…

Unless her existence is a secret someone doesn’t want shared.

Someone like my mother.

The thought makes me sick, but my mother is more than capable of it. She’s willing to leave Winry hanging in the wind; how much more so would she do the same to some child unrelated to her by blood? A small price to pay, a cost weighed against a thousand things she has moving in her head.

I know about making hard choices. I’ve been doing it for years now, and when I’m queen, it will only get that much more challenging. It’s what I’m trained for.

It doesn’t make it right.

Finally, Broderick releases a breath. “We’ll come with you. Back you up.”

“You really don’t have to—”

“Monroe.” Shiloh puts her hand on my arm. “We’re coming with you.”

I start to argue but… I don’t want to. I want them with me. Having these two at my back is comforting in a way I can hardly put into words. Finally, I nod. “We need the body.”

“On it.” Broderick climbs down from the driver’s seat and strides to where I left the body in the middle of the street.

Shiloh squeezes my arm. “How close?”

“Do you want the comforting lie or the scary truth?” When she gives me a look, I sigh. “Another few minutes and we wouldn’t be having this conversation. I’m not certain whether or not the poison has long-term effects, either. Usually when the assassins get close enough to use their darts, it’s too late.”

I almost lost her.

The reality of that sets in, sending shakes through my body. I want to cling to Shiloh, to run my hands over her until I’m satisfied that she’s really here, really safe. I settle for leaning in and kissing her lightly. “I love you.”

“I love you, too,” she says faintly.

The truck dips as Broderick dumps the body in the bed of it. He wastes no time reclaiming the driver’s seat and putting it into gear. “You sure about this?”