She rolled her hand over, wove her fingers through his. “And keeping all who love him. Everything is going to be fine, York.”

He drew in a breath, withdrew his hand. “I know.”

But he didn’t. She saw the worry in his eyes.

“Okay, so, it’s time for you to tell me what about Ziggy’s news had you so freaked out on our wedding day.”

He put down his coffee.

“And don’t even think about dodging the truth. First, my job is to ferret out secrets.” She leaned forward. “And I’m your wife. There are no secrets between us anymore.”

His smile was wry. “I see now why you married me.”

“I married you for your muscles. But yes, it’s just the raw truth now between us, husband.”

He smiled. “I like the sound of that word.”

“Husband. Me too. Now, spill.”

His breath drew in. “Okay, but you won’t like it.”

“Of course not.”

“Whoever killed Gregori left a mark on his body. A circle cut into his chest, with a star in the middle. It’s a sort of Russian prison tattoo, but it’s come to be the sign of anyone killed by a group called Oden. Or roughly translated, the Orphans.”

She had finished her waffles, and now picked up her coffee.

“Their leader is ex-Bratva, and the name is specific—they owe no allegiances. And, they trust no one.”

“Sounds lonely.”

“It makes them impossible to track. They are nameless, faceless and…lethal.”

She refused the chill that wanted to ripple through her.

“If an Orphan picked up the contract, then the only way to stop them is to get to the source, have them remove the posting.”

“Can Coco just get onto the dark web, find the posting and take it down.”

“It comes with a pass code—and not one derived by the user. It’s computer generated, impossible to hack and the only way it can be removed is by the owner.”

Her mouth tightened. “Is the owner listed on the posting?”

“Not usually. It’s all anonymous.”

“So, how do we find out who posted it?”

“We fulfill the contract. Get paid, and trace the money back to the source.”

She stilled. “York.”

“I’m not suggesting we do that.” He leaned forward. “But, if anything should happen to me…”

“Nothing is going to happen to you.” She put down her coffee. “But it is time to get back to work. We have a ball to prepare for, a director to protect, and a disguise to create.”

“And Guilder to frame for it. I’m swamped.”

She laughed. Got up and walked over to him. He pushed his chair out and she settled onto his lap, her arms around him. “And if you haven’t got your health…”

Then she kissed him.

Yes, she could stay here forever in this fairyland.