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“So, this is where they’ll target if…” He looks at the one-way glass. Then I get it.

“Celeste,” I say. “You’re worried about people targeting her.”

“I’ve never had to worry about this before,” he says, voice surprisingly raw. “Caring about someone who isn’t me. How do you do it?”

I laugh awkwardly. “You’re asking me about feelings?”

He just stares at me. He’s serious. I shrug, having no idea what to tell him. It’s not like I’ve ever figured this out either.

“You care all the time,” he presses. “You want to save people. To do good.”

“And look what it got me, Anton,” I say. “DC happened because I cared too damn much.”

Anton sighs. “I’ll check, boss. But I’m not sure he’ll give us a chance for an easy shot. It will be all-out war.”

I grit my teeth. Serena trying to stop me from slaughtering this monster, now my own man?

“Check, then,” I grunt. I pour a glass of whiskey as Anton leaves the room, then toss the glass onto the desk. That grotesque man has been using women just like Rachael was used, and she’s got a kid too. She can’t go on with that monster still out there. Isn’t that obvious?

Way more fucking importantly, my woman can’t go on with him out there. She was seen at the hotel. Rafael has already hired outcasts and the unwell to target us. My woman⁠—

My phone goes off. It’s Serena. I don’t realize how much of a rage I’m in until my hand trembles as I pick up the phone. I can’t stop pacing. Rafael’s face flashes in my mind, silver tooth glinting, as he pawed at my woman. Sneered at her. Insulted her in a language he doesn’t think she understands.

Serena: Sasha is taking a nap with Michaela. Zoe’s asleep on the couch and Rosa’s making brownies. The grumpy Sokolov is surprisingly understanding about running down to the store. I don’t know what we do next. Sasha looks shell-shocked. I can’t believe I never noticed this before.

Nikolai: Don’t beat yourself up. People only show you what you want them to see. You’re tired. You work hard. You’ve got your own problems. You can’t expect to have somehow known.

Serena: I think you need to know people a little closer sometimes to really understand who they are. I think you need to learn something about their past. Like with me and my ex, Mateo, Zoe’s dad. You asked what he did once. Well? He assaulted me. He belittled me. He bullied me. Then he stabbed someone and left us with tens of thousands of dollars in debt. That’s partly what made me who I am today, prince.

I stand at the glass, my foot tapping relentlessly on the floor, my heart pounding. I’m in the mood for war, to tear Rafael’s head off his shoulders.

Nikolai: I’m so sorry. You’re an incredible person, and no one deserves to treat you like that. I hate that he did that. And I’m willing to handle it if you need me to.

Serena: “Handle it?” Nikolai, he’s in jail. You shouldn’t say things like that.

Nikolai: You shouldn’t forget who you’re talking to.

Serena: How could I forget?

Nikolai: I just want to keep you safe.

Serena: There’s safe, then there’s making it about yourself, making yourself the hero, the big, important man riding in and saving the day.

I laugh ruefully, shaking my head. She has the ability to see through me like no one ever has before. She always has, ever since I met her.

Serena: Okay, that was a little mean. I’m sorry.

Nikolai: You might have a point.

I admit grudgingly.

Serena: Do you think it’s good you know about my past now then?

Nikolai: Are you hinting at something?

Serena: I don’t know.

Nikolai: You are, and I know what. I know you want to know what happened in DC. But I can’t explain that over text.