Leo’s name fills the screen on my cell as soon as I get off the plane. He never calls. Once in a while he’ll send a short text, but those are rare too. “Hello?” I answer carefully.

“You went to Maine, didn’t you?” he says, getting right to the point. He’s never been one to mince words.

“How did you find out?”

“I called my Dad to tell him about Gran’s adoption. Imagine my surprise to hear that he was already aware. Then he told me his investigators found the birth family, and that he sent your dad to meet with Gran’s sisters. When I couldn’t reach you for several hours, I knew you were on a plane. Which means you went to Maine. But I’m guessing my dad doesn’t know you went there because he’s still pissed at you. Am I right?”

I blink several times, too tired to wrap my head around that. “Pretty much.”

“Well?”

“Well, what?”

“Good God, you bloody wanker, what do you think I’m waiting to hear? What did you find out from the sisters?”

“Uh, not much. Listen, can I call you about this later? I just got in and I’m beat—”

“Nope. We’re talking about this now. Where is your hotel?”

I give him the name and address of my hotel and agree to meet him in the lobby’s bar. I’d really like to get some sleep, but since Leo is being so fucking impatient, all I have time for is a quick shower.

Honestly, I shouldn’t be annoyed. I understand where his sense of urgency is coming from. It’s why I’ve been back and forth between continents, unable to rest without answers. I feel that urgency too.

Half an hour later, we’re sitting across from each other in the hotel bar, two mugs of beer on our table.

“I don’t have much to tell you,” I say as soon as the bartender walks away. “After meeting your grandmother’s sisters, I have more questions than answers.”

“Start at the beginning,” Leo says. “Tell me everything they said.”

I do my best to recount the visit, trying to repeat the conversation as close to word for word as I can remember. Leo listens patiently, nodding, staying silent for the most part. By the time I’m done, he’s drawing his brows together. “I don’t like where this is headed,” he says, shaking his head. “My dad won’t like it either.”

“You sense it too? The shadiness surrounding your grandmother?”

“Yeah, I do.” He looks up at me. “You can’t tell Mila about any of this. Not until we know more.”

“Why not?”

“Gran raised her. If it turns out that she’s connected to the murders, it will devastate Mila. Until we can confirm anything, this stays between us. Swear it, Cas.”

I look around, wondering if I’m prepared to make this promise. I see where he’s coming from. But I don’t think he realizes how strong Amelia is, or how much she can handle. Either way, I guess it’s not necessary to tell her. Especially since we still don’t have answers.

“I’m not going to lie about meeting the sisters, but I won’t tell her what I found out about Judith.”

He watches me for a long moment, then nods. “Good.” He takes a swig of his beer. “What do you say we get out of here and head over to Shoreditch? We can get something stronger than this. I know two gorgeous bartenders that work at a pub on Paul Street.”

“No, thanks,” I say, yawning. “I’m jet-lagged, and I just want to get some sleep.”

Leo watches me again, studying my every move. I don’t usually turn him down, and I can only guess where he thinks my refusal is coming from. I am tired, but he doesn’t believe it.

“Don’t think I forgot about that bloody stunt of yours with my sister’s lips.”

I groan. Here it comes.

“We talked about this when you first flew in, Cas, but you clearly didn’t get the hint. So here it is, spelled out for you. Move on. To the next woman, the next country, the next job—I don’t give a shit. Just let her go.”

I’m trying really fucking hard not to explode on Leo, but my temper is shortened by my lack of sleep and overall disappointment. “Is that why you want me to go out with you tonight? So you can witness me hook up with some random girl? Because you think it will prove something?”

“It would prove what we both already know. That your interest is only temporary. Better to cut it off now before you break her heart.”

“And you’re so sure I will?”

His near-black eyes seem to darken, if that’s possible. “Yeah, I am, mate. She’s already got enough on her plate. She doesn’t need you adding to it.”

I get up from my seat, shaking my head. I need to get out of here before I do something I might regret. “See you later, Leo. Tell Mila I said hello.”

He slams his mug down on the table, sloshing beer everywhere. “You fucking slimy little—”

“Save your anger, mate. You might need it for someone who is actually a threat.”