“Are you seeing anything?” I ask, the moment we step through the threshold of the home. Nerves jangling, I’m on edge. My sense of foreboding has been getting stronger.

Hunching his shoulders, Snatch buries his hands deep in his jean pockets. “No, why, should I be? Mavi, what’s all this about?”

Smiling at Kate the receptionist, I give her a wave as we pass her by. “One of the nurses here is in the hospital.”

“What has that got to do with anything?”

“I think she was the victim of a sex dream demon. It sounds way too much like their MO.” Easy smile sliding from my face, I scan along the corridor in our direction. The weight of

the hidden gun in its shoulder holster feels like a guilty sin. I’ve never worn a weapon here before. Never felt the need. Until today.

Snatch gives me a sideways look. “And it’s got you worried?”

“It’s too close to home, especially with the mess we’re in right now.” Paranoia has been an aid to keep me alive in the past. Maybe I’m wrong. Over reacting, but nothing threatens family. Not on my watch.

Reaching my brother’s door, I hesitate. It feels surreal having Snatch with me. This was never supposed to happen. Yet, fate has fucked me in the arse, tumbling down my well-constructed walls that keep work and personal life separate.

Twisting the handle, I push the door open.

Sitting propped up in bed against pillows, Nate is waiting. Blue eyes staring out into the garden beyond his window, he doesn’t react.

From experience, I know he’s just come back from a session of physiotherapy. That and the massages he receives keep his muscles strong and stop them from going into atrophy. Touch is also important. A way to try and encourage him to wake up from his comatose state.

“Is this your brother?” Snatch asks, shuffling into the room behind me.

Moving to the bed, I make an effort to fluff the pillows. “Yes. Nate...Nathan.”

“How long has he been this way?”

“Since he was twelve.”

Arms hugging his waist, he gives me a sympathetic look. “Shit, I’m so sorry. What happened?”

I don’t want his pity. This is not a chore. What I do for my brother I do out of love. He’s all I have left. The thing that keeps me going.

“I’d rather not talk about it.” I reply stiffly back.

Snatch nods in understanding. “Sure, I understand. I know sharing things is hard for you.”

“Thanks.”

Fussing over the stack of magazines someone has left on his bedsit table, I busy myself putting them away. I can’t stay still. A live wire of anxiety is pulsing through my veins.

“What are you going to do about your suspicions?”

“Have someone stay with him.”

I could have this all wrong, but I don’t want to risk it. Reaching into my jacket pocket, I finger my phone. My uncle is hours away. If I call him he still has to take time to travel down. Chancing that length of time and hoping Cassandra and the others stay safe is a gamble.

“I’ll do it.”

Blinking out of my thoughts, I frown at Snatch. “Seriously? You would?”

Lips tilting up, he gives me a crooked grin. “Of course, you’re my friend. Mavi, I know you never let anyone close, but we’d all do anything for you.”

They’re closer to me than they should be. Not that they know that. I would kill for anyone of them without remorse. Four years of working together was inevitably going to bond us. I never realised how much. It’s the reason I’m so hard on them. A world without them is something I can’t imagine.

For a moment I don’t know how to respond. I’m not good with emotions. Not the softer ones.

Awkwardly, I tug him in for a hug. “Thank you, Snatch. I’ll arrange it with the staff.”

Arms closing around my waist, he gives me a friendly squeeze.

“You think they’ll allow it?”

Stepping back out of his hold, I quickly straighten the duvet on my brother’s bed. “I’m a benefactor of this place. I can make it happen.”

“Mavi, I know you don’t have OCD, so chill out. I’ll ring you if I see anything hinky.” His hand closes over mine, halting my actions.

He’s right. My nerves are getting the better of me. I hate being in this position. At any other time, I can feel invincible and not give a fuck. This hits me on a whole different level. I don’t like feeling vulnerable.

“Just don’t start popping pills.” I mutter, swinging back around to face him.

“I’ll be good. I promise.”

“I’ll arrange for them to bring a temporary bed in here.” My phone going off distracts me. Fishing it out, I check the message.

Caesar: The Boss has ordered me and Snatch to Cease Fire. Need you to watch Cassandra.

“What’s wrong?” Snatch asks apprehensively.

“Gabriel’s calling Leo and Caesar in without talking to me first.” Hitting speed dial, I hold the phone to my ear. It rings for what feels like an eternity. The fucker isn’t picking up. I don’t like this. Not one bit.

“Snatch, if he calls you in…”

A hand touches my fingers. “Mavi, I’ve already promised to stay here. If he gets all shitty I’ll tell him I’m having a bad reaction to some pills and can’t at the moment.”

My shoulders sag in relief. This is so much easier when I’m killing things.

Heading back to the bed, I ruffle my brother’s white blonde hair. “Hey Nate. This is my friend Snatch. He’s going to be staying with you for a while. I hope you don’t mind.”

Snatch sidles up beside me. Expression sombre, he examines Nathan with his gaze. “Hey, I see you have a pretty impressive Superman collection on your shelf. Maybe we can have an epic read through.”

Nathan doesn’t move. Blinking, his blue eyes and dreamy expression never changes.

Squeezing his limp hand, a lump of emotion thickens my throat. “He likes to know about our adventures too.”

“You told him about us?” Snatch replies in surprise.

I don’t look away from the pale blank face I care about so much. “Every mission. Even the once a month drinking sessions.”

I have to go. But I’m stalling.

“Go. We’ll be fine.”

Nodding, I back away towards the door. I still have things to arrange until I can leave. I need to speak with the director.

Snatch retrieves one of the comic books and settles in the chair beside the bed. Voice soft, he begins to read.

Tearing myself away, I storm back down the corridor. Gabriel has a lot to answer for right now. I don’t understand why he’s screwing us over. Unless they believe the demons, who accused me of killing Colin. That would mean there’s a price on my head.

“I couldn’t get a hold of your uncle.” Kate the receptionist calls as I pass her table.

“You have his phone number?”

As far as I know I’m the only one whose contact details they have. Dane gets all news of Nathan from me. Our mother doesn’t care either way.

“Yes. He visits every few weeks like you do. Made sure we had it just in case.”

Bane has never mentioned this. He lives up North and rarely comes down to London. Confusion churns inside me.

Biting her lip, her cheeks flush with colour. “I have a thing for the silent brooding type with blonde hair, blue eyes, and tattoos.”

Bane doesn’t have tattoos. He also has dark locks. Yet, the description is familiar. Gabriel? Why is the archangel visiting my brother? What the fuck is going on?