Ryker nods solemnly. “I can do that.”
She’s safe.
She’s alive.
She’s protected.
“Without being seen,” Raymond cuts in, his tone scathing. “You’re supposed to be dead.”
One of Ryker’s eyes begins to twitch. “I said I can do it. Now fuck off, old man.”
Raymond narrows his eyes but wisely chooses to remain silent. Probably a smart idea, considering Ryker looks seconds away from detonating.
“All Ellie needs to do is find The Divine One’s little black book,” Raymond reiterates, pushing himself off the wall. With my head still lowered, all I can see are his glossy black shoes, a striking contrast against the white tiles in the hotel’s lobby. “Then we’ll be able to take this entire fucked-up organization down.”
“And what if she’s caught?” I shoot back, finally lifting my head. “What if she’s hurt or killed?”
Raymond doesn’t answer verbally, but his lips do thin, compressing into a perfectly straight line.
“Do you even give a damn about your niece? Or is she nothing but cannon fodder to you? Collateral damage?” That familiar anger from before has returned, this time with a raging vengeance, a tsunami of fire that rushes through me in wave after blistering wave.
Raymond lunges forward, a curse on his lips, but Ryker reaches for him easily. Stops him. Holds him back.
I suck in a shuddering breath.
She’s safe.
She’s alive.
She’s protected.
“Knock it the fuck off,” he hisses.
Raymond struggles for a few seconds longer before finally stilling, though his narrowed-eyed glare doesn’t leave my face.After a moment, he shoves at Ryker’s arms, forcing them off of him, and pivots on his heel. A stream of curse words escapes him as he stomps out of the room, allowing the thick oak door to slam shut behind him.
Then it’s just me and Ryker, both of us breathing heavily.
“I don’t fucking trust that man,” I whisper, the pain in my gut almost unbearable. I’ve definitely overexerted myself today, and now my body is paying the price, sparks of agony reverberating through me. But I can’t sleep, can’t relax, can’t do anything while Ellie and my brothers are in danger.
“He wants to take down POP,” Ryker rasps, staring after Raymond with a furrow between his brows. “For now, we can use that.”
“And after?” I frown, even as Ryker’s own lips stretch and sharpen, morphing into a macabre grin.
“We take care ofhim, the way we take care of everyone that crosses us.” He shoves his hands into the pockets of his hoodie and rolls back on his heels. “I’m going to grab some trackers and then head to Ellie and the others. We need to be aware of their position at all times.”
“And if you’re caught?” I arch an eyebrow.
Ryker simply scoffs, that one noise exuding arrogance. “I’ve been stalking Ellie through her bedroom window for years. I won’t get caught.”
13
ELLIE
The guys move immediately.
Zane storms toward the bathroom and begins opening drawers at random. Beckett whips off the quilt on the bed, the bedsheet following soon after. Dom begins emptying out drawers in the vanity.
Something occurs to me as I watch them move. This room…it’s eerily similar to my bedroom. My actual bedroom, in the house I share with Fischer.
