When I explained what was happening, Eve sat cross-legged on the bed, considering it in silence for a moment.
"So Jeremy's meeting this kid who says he has info on the group, but really he's a part of the group, or so you presume. Meaning he'll likely lead Jeremy into a trap. Being forewarned, though, Jeremy will be springing the trap, not walking into it."
"Right."
Another moment of quiet thought, then she nodded. "Not bad. But I do have a problem with one big part of it."
"Which is?"
"The part that has you sitting here guarded by a chaos demon."
"Hope's not--"
"Oh, I know what she is. A complete stranger, and your life is in her hands."
I shook my head and started emptying the dry-cleaning bag dropped off earlier. Eve strode over and parked herself "on" the bag, her form obscuring it.
"You're ignoring me, Jaime. I'm raising a valid point."
"No, you're being paranoid, which comes from a lifetime of needing to be paranoid. Hope isn't some black-market contact like Molly Crane. She helps the council. Jeremy knows her--"
"Elena is her contact, isn't she? And that's mainly professional. They don't hang out together."
"Jeremy knows her and he trusts her."
There was nothing she could--or dared--say to that, so she started pacing as I emptied the bag.
"So while he's gone, you're here, guarded by a chaos demon who's not even around--"
"She's scouting the property. She checked in on me before I called you."
Eve walked to the window and looked out. "Who's backing Jeremy up?"
"A Pack brother. Karl Marsten. He's--"
"Oh, I know who Karl Marsten is. A career criminal and a drifter." She shook her head. "I know guys like Marsten. You and Jeremy don't, so you can be forgiven for not seeing past that suave show of his. How old is he? Your age? Older, probably? He's spent the last forty years not giving a shit about anyone. Guys like that don't wake up one morning and turn team player. He's using the Pack. He doesn't care about anyone in it--"
"Not true. Even before he joined, he got along fine with them, and he was always fond of Elena."
Eve snorted. "The cute blond who's also the only female of his species? Oh, I bet he's fond of her."
"It isn't like that. And he's always been on good terms with Antonio and Nick. Even Clay doesn't mind him."
She met my gaze. "Elena, Clayton, Antonio and Nick. Leaving someone out there, Jaime?"
Hearing my own fears echoed in her words, I busied myself stuffing a blouse into my closet. "You're right. Karl Marsten isn't my first choice to be watching Jeremy's back. And you're right about him being self-centered. But that doesn't mean he isn't capable of loyalty. Look at Hope. He's very protective of her and that's not the behavior of a guy who thinks only of himself."
Eve turned slowly, her eyes narrowing. "Hope? He knows the half-demon?"
"Sure. That's how she hooked up with the council."
"Through Karl Marsten?"
A rap at the door, then Hope's "It's me." She slid in and looked around.
"Oh, sorry, I thought I heard you whispering and wanted to make sure everything was okay."
I waved toward the balcony door. "It's Eve."