I bite the inside of my lip as I study him. Days ago, I would have made the comment that it wouldn’t serve him to find me drowned. It would take his fun away. But somehow it doesn’t fit anymore.

“And no guards either. I don’t want them looking at you. Just me or Mercedes. Do you understand?”

"Yes,” I say as I think back to my dress at the gala. To Mercedes.

He releases me and I take the stack of letters. “Santiago—”

“Go to your room, Ivy.” He is dialing a number on his cell phone.

“What are you going to do to Abel?”

He glances at me, cocks his head to the side and stands.

I step backward because even with the desk between us, right now, he looks terrifying.

He grins. “You have other things to worry about, don’t you? Like saving your neck. You’re not off the hook with me or with The Tribunal. You still owe us a name. For starters.”

“I just—”

“Go to your room.” He sounds almost calm but I know that tone. There’s a current underneath it. A rage. “Now.”

I drop my gaze, nod and hurry away.

18

Santiago

"Open the fucking door, Chambers!" My fist rattles against the heavy wood, shaking the frame with the force of my rage. "You can't hide all night."

It's well after four o’clock in the morning, but I know that fucker is lurking in there somewhere.

"Would you like me to open it, sir?" Marco asks, shrugging to indicate he's ready to use his body as a battering ram the moment I give him approval.

I prefer to do things less messily. Already, dogs are barking. A light in the neighboring house has flipped on. Curtains have moved. There is at least one possibility of spying eyes aware of our presence, and considering that I don't intend to leave here tonight without Chambers’ blood on my hands, that could be a problem.

I give it another moment, waiting for some indication of life inside, but when that doesn't happen, I gesture for Marco. We walk around to the side of the house and locate a window that will be large enough to accommodate each of us.

I'm ready to throw my elbow through the glass when Marco shrugs out of his jacket and ushers me back.

"I've got this, boss."

He wraps his arm in the jacket and thrusts it through the window, shattering the glass like a missile just blew through it. Then he heaves his giant body inside and clears the way for me to follow.