Dominic slid in phone in his pocket once Raelyn answered. Her heartbeat had risen to nearly a hundred, but it fell back down quickly. He wished he had left Dane with her. Tomorrow, he would insist.

"Dominic."

Dominic glanced up to see his father had walked into the room. Beside him, Gabe stiffened.

"What seems to be on your mind these days?"

Dominic lifted his shoulders. "We found the source. A young man at Loyola. He had no clue what was happening; he thought he was helping someone out practicing labs. In exchange for some Molly, in fact. He's on our payroll now."

No response. No, "good job" or even an acknowledgement.

"Muci tells me you had a run-in with him."

Dominic was prepared for this. "He was on our turf. I ended some of his lackeys and send him back home."

Rossi stared. "How is your wedding planning?"

"The Lombards have taken over the details."

"Gabriel, your tutor gave me a report." He stepped forward, pulling a silver dagger from his belt.

Gabriel stiffened and Dominic tried to restrain himself from stepping between. "Father."

Rossi lunged, slicing the knife through his cheek. Dominic refused to flinch. "Don't interrupt me, boy!"

"Father, my scouts have reported rogue Hunter activity around the west side."

Rossi scowled and stalked back to his seat. "Why didn't you say so earlier? What have they found?"

"Not local. They seem to be transplants. My guess is Romanian."

"Your guess?" Rossi hurled the dagger at Dominic, who sidestepped the dagger coolly. Rossi narrowed his eyes.

Since he and Rae bonded, his reflexes and strength had grown. He normally would have been at least nicked by that blade. Dominic hesitated, trying to come up with some excuse before—

"How did you dodge that?"

Dominic didn't even try to resist the compulsion. "I fed this morning."

Rossi leaned back, perfectly unimpressed. "Fine. Check our supply tonight."

Dominic bristled but nodded. He grabbed Gabe's arm and started dragging him out.

"Dominic. What time are you going to be there?"

Dominic turned back to his father. "Whenever I feel like it."

"Be there at 7. Or the cut on your cheek will be the last of your problems."

Dominic continued their exit. Once the door closed, Gabriel looked up at his brother with wide eyes.

Dominic sighed and wiped his cheek. "Relax. It'll be better by tomorrow. What did you do this time?"

Gabriel glanced at the ground. "Her name is Evelyn, and she hates math just as much as I do."

Dominic tried to decode his brother's statement as they passed from the dark hallway into the main reception room, marked by heavy wood furniture and too many pictures on the wall. Then, he coughed. "A girl?"

Gabriel nodded. "She takes lessons from Gonzalez, too." He huffed. "Not quite as good, but she doesn't want to play piano professionally, just for fun."

Dominic nudged his little brother. "Good work. Does she like you?"

Gabriel frowned and shook his head. "It doesn't matter. It's your turn."

Dominic froze. "What?"

"I told you, now you have to tell me. What's her name? When can I meet—"

Dominic planted his hand over his brother's mouth. He hurried him out of the room and then all but shoved him into the car. "What do you know and how do you know it?"

Gabriel buckled himself in, confused. "You've never been able to dodge one of dad's daggers before. Beside, when you moved, I caught a glimpse of the bonded mark." He shrugged. "Dad couldn't see it, I'm sure."

"Gabe, you cannot tell anyone."

He furrowed his brows. "Why?" The realization hit him, and he slumped back. "You're supposed to get married."

Dominic nodded. "And if Father finds out, he will stop at nothing to break the bond."

Gabe nodded. "And the only way to do that is killing one of you."

Dominic nodded. "You have to keep this a secret."

Gabe nodded and extended a pinkie. "I promise."

Dominic swore with his brother. "And if—notice I said 'if'—you get to meet her, you cannot tell her what you just told me." His phone flashed and he pulled it away surreptitiously.

Gabe smiled victorious. "So...when do I get to meet Raelyn?"