“Novus ordo seclorum. It’s Latin for ‘new order of the ages’—what the society members dubbed themselves.”
I crooked a brow. “Seriously?”
“Yes.”
“Wow, pretty heady stuff.” Literally.
He explained, “The term comes from the fourth Eclogue of Virgil:
“‘Now comes the final era of the Sibyl’s song;
The great order of the ages is born afresh.
And now justice returns, honored rules return;
Now a new lineage is sent down from high heaven.’”
He reached around me and grabbed a gold coin from the velvet-lined tray that was also home to his more expensive fountain pens. He slapped the coin down on the desk, and there was an engraved pyramid, with Annuit Coeptis stamped above and Novus Ordo Seclorum below.
I frowned. “I don’t get it. ‘… Justice returns, honored rules return…?’ These guys are corrupt. There’s no justice or honor there.”
“Remember, the society wasn’t always bad. They had noble, legit goals from the beginning. They came together to effect positive change, not promote their own agendas for personal gain. That came later. Around my time.”
“Unbeknownst to you at first. But did Ethan know?” My brain shifted into high gear. “How long had he been with the society before you came along?”
“A little over thirty years,” he reluctantly admitted.
“Back when he knew your father.” I stated our new obvious. I firmly believed there was a tie there that needed to be explored.
“Christ.” Dane pulled his phone from his pants pocket and hit a speed dial number. Then he tersely said, “Get the plane ready. I’m going to Philadelphia.”
I leapt up. “We’re going to Philadelphia.”
“You’re staying put,” he told me. “You’ll remain here with Amano and Kyle. The baby.”
“Amano and Kyle can protect the baby perfectly well. I’m going with you.”
His gaze turned steely. I knew better than to push when that look entered his eyes, but this was much too important to pass up. First, I’d never been to his family estate in Philadelphia. In fact, I was curious to learn why he’d chosen to keep the mansion after his aunt passed away four years ago. Especially since he’d never once mentioned that we’d visit or live there.
Second, this was all too painful for Dane to suffer through alone. I wanted to be with him no matter what he discovered. If we were way off-base or dead on the mark, I didn’t want him having to reconcile it all by himself when I could be there with him.
“Ari,” he said. “We’ve had a conversation about seeing beyond the two of us, sweetheart. We have—”
“Amsel to consider. I know.”
Leaving him wasn’t a comfortable or easy decision, but our son had three other devoted people to pick up the slack for a day or two. I had no qualms about his safety—that was the least of my worries.
Dane, however, was at the top of my list when it came to the final piece of this puzzle.
“Listen,” I said as I wrapped my arms around his waist and stared up at him. “I have heard every word you’ve said about us and the need to factor in our baby. Every. Single. Word. But we agreed to be in this marriage for better or for worse. We agreed to deal with this entire nightmare together. You can’t suddenly shut me out. I’m perfectly aware that there’s shady stuff going on and I am all too familiar with how dangerous this is. But we made a pact when we exchanged vows. Whatever happens is between the two of us—it involves us both.”
He swept a plump curl from my temple, his long fingers tangling in my hair. “Baby, this isn’t something I want you even more embroiled in.”
“Too late,” I said. “I’m packing a bag and I’m going with you.”
His jaw worked rigorously. I didn’t back down. I wouldn’t back down.
Our standoff dragged on for several minutes. Finally, I untangled myself from him and said, “I’ll get ready. You tell Amano.”