Page 72 of The Scarab's Game

Second-guessing each other was in our nature, but this was different. Since the kidnapping, there were too many pitying looks, too much checking if I was all right with the smallest thing.

I was fine.

I told them that over and over, but no one believed me.

No matter what my reaction to hearing Enzo was, I was fine.

I could protect Jenn. I could keep her safe.

If you say it often enough, maybe you’ll believe it.

I ran my fingers over my short beard. If Fenix was crumbling from the inside out, I could help destroy it. We had plans to make—checking out the Casino and searching for the secrettunnels leading to the Exotic Garden—but how was I supposed to do any of that and keep Jenn as close as I’d sworn I would?

Let Jenn in on the big secret?

Hardly.

Text the team the plan? Possibly.

Double-talk and hand signals?

With a long sigh, I stood and launched the photo app on my phone. Returning to the group, I swiped through the hidden folder containing the photo that would confirm how much danger Jenn might be in.

Jenn started, “Rav wouldn’t let?—”

I lifted my phone to show her a photo the team had snapped of Enzo when they first encountered him in London. “Have you seen this man?”

The way her eyes widened and how she sucked in a quick breath—I had my answer.

I shoved the phone into my pocket to conceal any possible tremble. “You’re with me until you leave Monaco.”

She blinked rapidly, as though I were speaking a foreign language. Her blue eyes, usually so warm, flashed with defiance. “That’s ridiculous.”

“The man’s name is Enzo.” I shook my head, trying not to show my frustration. “With him, Noah, and the Fenix Group involved, this city’s too dangerous.”

“So, what, you’re going to be my bodyguard now?” she asked, folding her arms.

“We have work to do and don’t have time for arguments.” Not from Scarlett and not from Jenn.

Jenn spluttered, “I have to finish the painting.”

“The fake?” The words came out harsher than I’d intended, but this wasn’t the time for apologies.

I could almost see the gears turning in her head. She spun to face the water—angry and hurt, but hopefully she’d listen after she took a few breaths.

“I’m going to the Casino Rocher to speak with someone. The rest of the team has an appointment at the Exotic Garden.” I looked pointedly at Drew, who considered for a moment, then nodded.

“We’ll be in touch about what we find,” Drew said, inclining his head to the north.

Will turned to Rav. “I need to check into the hotel before we go to the Garden.”

Drew added, “Jayce is in our room, waiting for us, so we can all go over.”

Rav, Drew, and Will headed toward the hotel.

Once they’d left, I touched Jenn’s arm, stepping in so close Rav would have given me a side-eye. “I’m sorry for all of this. But I?—”

“You have a meeting.” Her shoulders fell, and her gaze dropped to my chest.