“I don’t know. Do you have any idea how someone could’ve gotten their hands on those images? I mean, we were standing on the street, but we didn’t see anyone, and why...? Who the hell is this person?”

Meg shook her head. “I’ll see what I can do, but... I don’t know. It could be anyone.”

“Someone with an interest in me.” I had no idea why anyone would want me to send James away. It didn’t make any sense. My weakness? What was that even supposed to mean? “It might be one of the Desaltis. I know the rest of the family ran away, so maybe they’re trying to get back at me somehow. Or it’s some distant cousin from the Ezzatis who wants to be able to get to James easier. Or someone wants me to get a divorce so I can marry them, although they didn’t ask for that.”

“What are you going to do?”

“I don’t know. Try to find out something. Please. Track it down somehow. Just...” I ran my hand over my face. What the hell was I supposed to do?

“I will.”

“Find out where the Desaltis are, what they’re doing... and anyone related to the Ezzatis. I don’t care who you have to contact, just do it.”

She nodded, and I slipped my phone into my pocket and stormed out of there.

***

“WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS?” James’ bewildered eyes stared at me.

“I think it’s time for you to get back to your family. You’ll still be under my protection and our deal won’t change.” I kept my face as expressionless as possible, because if I let myself feel anything, I would break. I didn’t want to send him away, but after a week had gone by, Meg and I hadn’t been able to figure out who’d sent the email, and I’d received a warning for stalling.

The new photo was of James and me on the terrace of my house, and I knew that this person, whoever they were, was serious about this. I couldn’t risk anything happening to James before I figured out who was behind this. Meg and I had searched the house, looked into everyone we knew, rechecked our security, but nothing had come up so far. Meg thought that whoever was behind it had hired someone who was better at hacking than she was. I knew she’d never have admitted that if she didn’t really believe it.

“That’s not what I’m asking,” James said.

“I don’t need you here anymore.”

He looked as if I’d just slapped him. “You were playing me,” he finally said. “You used me for what you needed and manipulated me into...”

“I’m sure you’ll be fine.” I forced my lips into a smile that I knew wouldn’t reach my eyes.