She pressed her fingers to her mouth. “My God, he’s a serial killer for real.”

“That was the conclusion Marisa came to.”

“Do you think Sobre knew she was on to him? Could he have deliberately used Suma and the raid on the village to target her?”

“Maybe, but we’ll probably never know. Imelda Cortez has most likely known about this and probably not only encouraged him, but helped him. They have a bond, those two, and it’s sick and perverted and definitely unhealthy.”

“You already knew it going in,” Isabeau said, “and you didn’t tell me.”

“Imelda Cortez would never go out into the open unless she completely controlled the situation, which meant, if she was attending this party at Philip Sobre’s residence, she had him in her pocket. It wasn’t that difficult after reading Marisa’s suspicions to know where to start our research. She wasn’t far off the mark. Every one of our leopards instinctively despised the man,” Elijah pointed out.

“And Conner just set himself up,” Isabeau said. “Sobre despises him and will look for any excuse to kill him after that public humiliation, and Imelda will want him because he made Sobre look small. Am I right?”

Elijah nodded. “That’s why we came, to get our foot in the door.”

“And Conner wanted Sobre’s attention off me and onto him,” she guessed.

“That too. It was important that you handle Sobre without tipping him off, Isabeau. This is your first time going into a situation like this and none of us knew how you’d handle it.”

She raised her chin. “What if I’d gone off with him?”

“No one ever took their eyes off you. That wouldn’t have been allowed. I’m the big bad cousin and Rio and Felipe are our personal protectors. If I ordered one of them to cart your ass to the car, they would do so without hesitation and no one would be suspicious.” His hand was on the door handle, but he wasn’t opening it.

“I can handle it,” she assured him.

“You’re certain? There can’t be any mistakes, Isabeau. Too many lives are at stake and we have no proof of anything. In any case, you can bet any law enforcement around here is either in Imelda’s pocket or terrified of her. Hell, most of it is getting paid extra money to guard Sobre’s party.”

“I said I can handle it. Conner’s hung out there on the line,” she said. “I’ve got his back. And don’t think I won’t do whatever it takes to make certain he gets out of this alive.”

Elijah studied her determined face and then nodded. “Good girl.” He ruffled her hair and rubbed at her face, putting spots of color on her skin and making her lips a little swollen as if he’d been kissing her. “Let’s hope Conner doesn’t rip out my heart and shove it down my throat.”

She forced a smile. “I’m going to make certain I blink back a couple of tears and really make you look bad.”

“Badass cousin doesn’t want his kissing cousin flirting with anyone else and you’ve been thoroughly reprimanded and then we made up.”

“Sobre won’t cross you, not without Imelda’s permission,” Isabeau pointed out.

“And that’s what is going to keep you safe. Stay close to me now. Touch me occasionally, but be subtle about it. I want them to see the relationship without us shoving it down their throats.”

“Like we’re hiding it.”

“Or at least that we don’t want it common knowledge. Now, Isabeau, there is a risk. On one hand, as long as they think they have a chance of doing business with me, this is the perfect way to keep you safe, but if they decide they need to keep me in line, or try to influence me with a threat, you’ll be the first in harm’s way. They think like that.”

She nodded. “I’m aware of that. Really, Elijah, I can do this. My relationship with Conner aside, it was my idea to bring you all here and I’m willing to take the risk right alongside of you.”

He pushed open the door and Rio stood facing the house, his expression remote, as if she were just another body to guard. It was amazing to Isabeau just how they all managed to look grim and dangerous and so businesslike at the same time.

She flashed Elijah a small smile when he put his hand casually on the small of her back. “I’ll bet Sobre would give anything to have our bodyguards.”

“Personal protectors,” he corrected and winked at her.

She walked closer to Elijah then she had before, but still maintained a distance that could be considered discreet. The doorman waved them inside. The music seemed louder and the rooms much more crowded. Elijah took her elbow with a proprietary air and guided her through the throng of people. Rio led the way with Felipe bringing up the rear. She noticed the crowd parted for them and no one bumped into them.

Marcos, with Leonardo beside him, was in a corner talking to Philip. Teresa, the server, stood beside Marcos looking miserable. Every now and then Marcos would rub her arm or the small of her back and she would jump, but she didn’t move. As they approached the small group, Philip looked up, his quick perusal taking in her slightly disheveled appearance. Isabeau made certain he caught the sheen of tears before she blinked them away. Philip’s gaze dropped to Elijah’s fingers digging into her elbow before he looked back at Marcos.

“Teresa will be more than happy to make you feel very welcome, isn’t that right?”