Page 98 of Fractured Memories

He tips his head back, and I hear the soft groan he tries to suppress. I know that I’m no good for Jude’s health. None of us make his job easy.

Straightening, he shoots me a glare. “Fine. But you will do whatever I say while we are there.”

“Deal.” I stride for the car, knowing damn well I never follow anyone’s instructions.

Jude knows that, too, but he still follows me to the vehicle. He’s not happy about it—I can tell—but it’s worth the risks to get to this rebel sooner rather than later.

We’re both silent during the short drive to the cages. I check over the knives at my thighs and tucked in my boots, my guns holstered at my ribs. My hands are already taped since I was training, so I’ll easily be able to fight if necessary.

Jude parks at the back entrance and steps out of the car, scanning the area before he lets me out. My skin prickles as I slip down the alleyway where Kieran first cornered me, Jude at my back, but I ignore it. Adrenaline is already pumping through my body, and I’m sure that the reaction is from that.

Inside, the main floor is empty. During the day, no one is out near the mats. But once I wrench open one of the doors that lead to the back rooms, I find bustling activity.

I know most of the guards, so I ignore their glances as Jude and I wind our way toward the center of the building. I’m not surprised when Larkin falls into step beside me, probably having seen us on the cameras.

“I didn’t expect you to get here so fast.” A smirk plays on his lips. “Or that you’d be here without your husband, Eden.”

Larkin isn’t the only one who finds it amusing that I married Kieran. I’ve been well known as blunt, brutal, and liable to slit anyone’s throat for looking at me too long. The concept that someone as wild as me and as vicious as the mafia leader would choose to settle down—if you could call our marriage that—was a shock for most people.

“He’ll be here soon,” I answer as I turn a corner and find the open central space where all the halls lead.

No spectator ever comes back here. This is where the medics stitch people up, where fighters can purchase food from vendors, and matches are assigned. It’s the true hub of the cages, though Caius does a good job of making the betting tables seem like it.

Against the far wall is a door that I know is locked and leads to a set of stairs. Hidden in plain sight and well monitored, no one goes through that door without Caius—and probably Larkin—knowing.

“Are you hoping to join us?” Jude’s flat tone tells Larkin how little he wants to play games today.

Larkin smirks. “Wanted to make sure you don’t get lost. It has been a while since you graced us with your presence.”

Jude scoffs but doesn’t answer.

Larkin pauses in front of the door, pressing the card against the panel that is flush with the wall. It’s nearly impossible to see. A soft beep sounds and Larkin pushes down on the handle.

There’s a small landing so the stairs aren’t visible even with the door open. Jude steps through first, and I follow. Larkin, however, stays in the doorway.

“There’s a button here.” He points to a small, silver circle above another scanner next to the door. “Buzz it when you’re done, and I’ll come let you out.”

He shuts the door behind him, and soft lights flicker along the stairs, guiding our path down. Despite knowing about the underground rooms, I’ve never been here before, so I follow Jude as he takes the lead.

They end at another hallway lined with doors, and Jude pauses, scanning them. I’m not sure what he’s looking for, but something must tell him which room is occupied because he starts walking again to the second door on the right.

Jude pulls out a keycard identical to Larkin’s, pressing it to another near-invisible panel on the wall and unlocking the door. He pushes the door open, revealing a small, concrete room. There’s not much to it besides a metal table against the back wall, a shelving unit with different supplies, and a drain in the center of the floor.

And a man tied to a chair.

My hands twitch, eager to pull my knives out as we enter the room, but I don’t yet. I force myself to stay calm, my face blank, as I stalk toward my newfound prey, Jude taking up his post in front of the closed door.

It’s been far too long since I’ve really gotten my hands bloody, and this asshole has been causing my man problems. Which means he’s been causing me problems.

And I love solving said problems. Permanently.

The rebel hasn’t even stirred since we entered the room. His head sags forward, arms and legs tied to the chair’s.

Gripping his hair, I yank his head back and smack him on the cheek. Not lightly.

It startles him, but I don’t let go of him as he jerks, eyes flying open. For a moment, I watch as they adjust to the light. And then they narrow on me.

It seems he knows who I am.