“I’ll be the bad guy if I need to,” she whispers, but when I just stare, she sighs. “Fine. Then let me ask you again,” she goes on, her eyes hard even as she changes the subject. “Why the fuck are you still sitting here waiting for a man who clearly wants to be found?”
I drag a hand through my hair. “Because the guys?—”
“—are listening from the kitchen like overprotective golden retrievers,” she cuts in. “Hi, boys. Either get ready to help or get fucking lost.”
Silas never pretends he isn’t listening. “We’ll help; just put us where you want us. But first, I want to know who Ivan is. And second, no one is rubbing their dicks together.”
“Like today? Or ever?” she asks, batting her siren eyes like she’s not trying to start shit and see how far she can push them.
Roo gets three blank stares from my HimLock guys, and I cover my mouth to conceal my expression. I need them to get along, but I won’t step in and soften Roo’s edges. You either love her or hate her…
“What a shame,” she sings.
I sigh, bringing her back on track. “It’s not that simple.”
She stands, turning her back to the guys as she gives me a stern look. “Sure it is. He wants you scared. Or dead. Or under his thumb. You want him gone. And I want to be there when his eyes dim and his blood stains the ground.”
I tip my head to her in agreement.
I’ve become complacent over the last few days, and it’s not normal for me. Sitting and waiting isn’t getting me anywhere. And staying holed up with the guys, avoiding real life, will eventually fuck me over if I’m not careful.
It’s time to be proactive.
“You’ve been waiting for him to play his hand. But he already did.” She lowers her voice. “When he left flowers on a second-story balcony like a rejected extra from a C-list stalker thriller and watched from across the street? We should have killed him then. What about when he broke into your place?”
“He’s not a thriller villain,” I mutter. “That requires more finesse.”
“What is he? Annoying?” she inquires, crossing her arms over her chest. “Inconvenient?”
“Persistent,” I add. “Entitled. Dangerous. Stupid. And way too familiar with where I sleep.”
Roo throws her hands out in exasperation. “Then let’s fucking end it.”
I grin at her, and I know it pisses her off, but something about poking the riled demon invigorates me. “You’re so cute when you’re worked up.”
“I’m serious,” she snaps, grabbing my hand and dragging me to my feet. “Put your fucking boots on. Find some goddamn lipstick. Let him see you alive and thriving, and not hiding behind fortified glass. He’ll crawl out of whatever sewer he’s nesting in just to remind you he thinks you’re his.”
I nod, rolling my shoulders back. “And when he does…”
Roo drags a sharp red nail across her throat.
Someone coughs from behind her, and she turns to stand beside me so we can see the guys.
Jace leans against the kitchen island, watching me as if he already knows what choice I’m making. “I’m coming with you.”
“No,” Roo says immediately. “You three have had enough turns to get shit done. This one is mine.”
Silas steps forward, gaze locked on me. “Are you sure about this?”
“Yeah,” I admit, my confession slow and certain. “We’ll be fine. We’ve done this a time or two.”
“Tell us where we’re going.” From my right side, Kieran’s calm voice drifts in, but there’s a deceptive edge to it. “We can stay out of your way and still watch your back. Or we can help, maybe make a game out of it.”
I smile at him, and Roo gags dramatically, snorting with laughter when I elbow her.
“Let’s get ready,” I tell them. “This ends tonight.”
