Kade closes the door.‘I got him to take the tests.’
‘Yeah, the boys are working on analysis.’Riley looks at Lachlan.‘I know who your friend is.’
Lachlan doesn’t react.He’s still politely exploring Kade’s room.
‘I don’t have any friends.’
Riley cocks his head.‘That’s not what I heard.’
‘I don’t care what you heard, Little Harker.’
‘Tell me about the ritual you performed.’
‘Why don’t we trade?One for one.’
‘No.’
‘Then go fuck yourself.’
Riley looks faintly put out, though on him it manifests as little more than a minor inconvenience.Then he calmly pulls a gun and aims it at Kade, which is an escalation, sure, but not an unexpected one.Nobody in the Tower is better at finding pressure points than Riley Harker and Lachlan has telegraphed his loud and clear.‘I’m going to ask you some questions, Tanner.’
‘You won’t shoot him.’
‘I will shoot him,’ Riley corrects, ‘and he’ll let me, too.’
‘You wouldn’tdare—’
Riley fires the gun.
Vicious pain shatters like volcanic glass in Kade’s shoulder.He’s knocked back by the force of the bullet which is…rubberbut still.
‘You fuckingprick,Riley,’ Kade groans.Lachlan moves quickly to Kade’s side, assessing the damage.‘Rubber bullet,’ he tells him through gritted teeth.
‘Kade is my best.’Riley rolls his shoulders.‘He’ll let me hurt him because it’ll get me what I need from you.I run Iron Star, Tanner.I’m the only reason Varrow City isn’t drowning in blood.Kade understands that.He’ll allow this because we’re family.Fucked up, sure,’ he says evenly, ‘but family.’
‘Are you OK?’Lachlan asks Kade, lightly touching the impact spot.
‘No, thathurt,’ Kade snarls irritably.‘Answer his questions!’
‘I already said I would if—’
Anothercrack.
This time the rubber bullet hits Kade in his soft, unprotected middle.
He groans around a cry, clutching his stomach.
Lachlan moves suddenly towards Riley.‘Youfucking—!’
‘Kill me and he’ll never know the truth,’ Riley warns, slightly breathless.
Kade looks up through watery eyes.‘What?’
Lachlan is frozen.‘Don’t hurt him again.’
‘Then answer my questions about the ritual.’
‘Shallow breaths, you’re OK.’Lachlan helps Kade sit on the bed, rubbing his back like it’s second nature.He doesn’t look at Riley when he says, ‘Fine.’
