DANTE

After Viktor leaves to coordinate security, Aria turns to me.

"This is real, isn't it? My family is actually planning to kill me."

"We don't know that for certain—"

"Don't." She holds up a hand. "Don't try to soften it. Emma hired a man who makes 'problems' disappear.

James is suddenly coming to New York after years of staying in Boston. They're coordinating, planning something."

"Yes," I admit. "They are."

"Okay." She takes a deep breath. "Then we need to be ready. Not just ...