Chapter 260: Secrets Are Sparring

The dojo was quiet except for the sound of two people breathing. Carla remained on top of Lancelot, knees locked against his hips, the cold edge of the knife still pressed firmly against the side of his throat. Oh, she wanted to slash his throat in that moment, but for reasons she was yet to ponder, she could not bring herself to do it.

Nearly a full minute had passed since she had put him in this position. She had not spoken. She had not moved. Her eyes stayed locked on his, searching for something he could not name. He couldn't figure her out, but he waited for her to explain herself. She was taking too long, so he lost his patience.

Lancelot finally broke the silence. His voice was low and steady, though the blade made every word careful.

“If you’re going to finish it, then finish it. If not, get off me so I can stand.”

Carla’s grip on the knife did not loosen immediately. For a brief, dark moment, she seriously considered drawing the blade across his throat and ending whatever game he was playing. The memory of Gabriella’s voice on the satellite phone still sat sharp in her mind. She was certain the voice belonged to the Queen's daughter.

She wanted to accuse him of plotting—of secret conversations with the Queen’s supposedly dead daughter—but she had no clear picture of the plot itself. Without more information, any action would be reckless. The same caution that had kept her silent in front of Carolina now kept her silent here.

But she could feel it deep within her guts that he was up to no good. She'd always trusted in her instincts and they'd never let her down, not even when the chips were stacked against her. Now, however, she was fully convinced, and because of that lack of conviction, she knew that the best route to take was one of restraint and patience. If truly he had something sinister up his sleeves, she would uncover it and make sure to take him down before he and his deadly Knights did any damage. They were not to be underestimated.

She exhaled through her nose, pulled the knife away, and rose in one smooth motion. Then, almost as an afterthought, she offered him her hand. Lancelot took it and let her pull him to his feet. He studied her face, waiting for her to explain herself.

"What was that about?"

“I thought you said that you Knights train like warriors?" Carla said flatly. “You need to stay on guard even when you think the fight is over. An opponent who hesitates can still kill you, so you shouldn't hesitate yourself.”

He bought the explanation—or at least decided not to challenge it. A slow smile returned to his mouth. He stepped closer, one hand reaching for her waist, the heat of the spar still between them.

“Stay a while longer,” he said. “We can finish what we started last night.”

Carla did not pull away at once, but she did not lean in either. “I'm exhausted from all I've been up to today. You're going to have to be a little more patient. I’ll come see you again sometime.”

“When?”

She looked back over her shoulder as she walked toward the door, a dangerous little smile touching her lips. “Soon.”

Then she was gone, leaving Lancelot standing in the middle of the dojo, pulse still elevated, the scent of her lingering in the warm air. She was a dangerous one, but he loved danger just as much as he loved having sex with her... And he had no intentions of stopping now.

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Evening settled over the Cimaro estate. Soft light filled the living room. Gabriella and Andreas sat close together on the wide sofa, a half-empty bottle of red wine on the low table and a movie playing quietly on her laptop. The volume was low enough that their conversation remained the louder sound. She rested against his side, bare feet tucked under her, the faint scent of his cologne mixing with the wine.

“I have an update to give you concerning the King's Gold. The Black Sailors attacked my mother,” Gabriella said after a while. “I still don’t know if she’s alive. Lancelot was supposed to report. He hasn’t called.”

"The Black Sailors?" Andre arched his brow, "I thought their entire clan had been wiped out."

"Turns out not all of them are dead."

Andre’s arm tightened slightly around her. Before he could respond once more, Jay appeared in the doorway and cleared his throat.

“Sorry to interrupt, boss. Everything’s arranged.”

Andre nodded once. “Good. That will be all, Jay. Thank you.”

Jay left. Gabriella waited until the door closed before she turned her face up to Andre’s.

“What was that about?”

He took a slow sip of wine before answering. “It has to do with the cop. Lucy Bryson.”

Gabriella’s brow furrowed. “What about her?”

“I’m helping her escape prison.”

She sat up straighter, concern sharpening her voice. “Andreas, that doesn’t sound like a good idea. You know she has it out for you. She blames you for everything that got her put inside, and you did cause it.”

He met her eyes without flinching. “Don’t worry. I have a plan for her. She thinks she’s getting out. She doesn’t know she’s only getting out so she can end up dead.”

Gabriella stared at him for a long moment. He offered no further details, only a calm, certain look that said the matter was already decided. Finally, she settled back against him. He pressed a brief kiss to her temple.

“Everything will be fine,” he said.

They turned their attention back to the movie, the soft glow of the screen flickering across their faces, the weight of the unspoken plan sitting quietly between them in the warm evening light.