Page 52 of Watched

Less than ten seconds later, a reply comes through.

Unknown: Understood.

My fingers fly over the keyboard to trace the text. A bonus to having a father so connected—you have access to technology even the best police departments wish they had.

The blue dot pings at an old warehouse across the city from the high school. Informing my father of his location, I swipe up my bag and head for the door, leaving the phone and laptop as is. Dad’s people will be here to collect everything within the hour, and Sam Kidd is about to meet his maker after being thrown around in the back of a van and suffering severe blunt force trauma.

They thought exposing him in San Francisco would put us off their trail. He was just another pawn used as a distraction. When we didn’t bite, they moved him back. But taking away meaningless pieces does very little in the grand scheme of things. Surrounding my King is a novice move, and one I’ve never played before now.

Ezra Smith may lack many neurons, considering he finds fucking children attractive, but he’s not stupid enough to use that number again. If we had stayed at my childhood home, there was a small chance Ezra would make a move out of fear the entire place was surrounded, but there was still a chance.

Relaxing into the passenger seat, I open Rome’s text. My jaw drops before it reshapes to a grin. I zoom in, taking in every flexed muscle, his hand still wrapped around his perfect cock, and the cum covering his body.

“Why are you smiling like that?” Blade grumbles. “It’s revolting.”

I turn my phone away, covering the other side with my hand so as to not be seen in the window’s reflection.

Cock pressing painfully against my zipper, I reply.

Me: I believe I asked for a video as well.

A knock sounds on the driver’s door and Blade swings it open.

“I’ll follow behind.” Kieran nods to the SUV parked behind us.

I quietly slide the needle out of my jacket pocket.

“Suit yourself. I don’t care,” Blade says.

I shoot my arm out, stabbing the needle into his neck and injecting the sedative. He swings his arm in my direction, but Kieran grips his shoulder. He continues fighting the drug but eventually slumps in the seat.

“Fuckyou. Ineedher,” he slurs.

“And she needs help.”

“Sh-she needs m-me.” His head flops forward.

I knew he’d go after her while we were here. He’d walk into that hospital with an AK-47, not giving a fuck who he needed to kill to get her. He’s hurting, more now than ever, but I can’t let him do that.

Chapter twenty-two

ROME

Ire-read the text I’ve been staring at all day, contemplating how to tell this prick he needs to stay the hell away from my house now that I have Indie and Kilah with me…temporarily? Permanently? Until they’re eighteen? I don’t know yet.

Sitting on the couch, I watch the twins move around the kitchen and bicker while making dinner. They wanted to do it as a thank you for letting them stay. We’ll see how it turns out.

I close my eyes, blow out a breath, and begin typing.

Me: I have my sisters here for the foreseeable future. DO NOT come here again.

He doesn’t seem as unhinged as his brother, but there are still some distasteful qualities about him. His lack of manners and barging into my house being number one, his utter relentlessness a high second.

He can have his money, car, and ring back. My sisters’ safety and comfort are my main priorities.

My heart jumps when my phone vibrates.

Rain: Like fuck I’m not! I’ve missed you, baby. My first stop is your bed. Besides, Kilah already loves me.