Page 95 of Vows of Ruin

She nods once, the kind of slow, measured agreement that means she doesn't like it but knows better than to argue. “Be careful, Reaper.”

“Always.”

She watches me leave, arms folded tight, eyes tracking me until I’m out of sight. I move through the mansion fast. The place feels too quiet, like the walls are waiting for something. Torque’s in the living room, cleaning his rifle. He looks up when I pass.

“We’re leaving in fifteen minutes,” I say.

He opens his mouth to ask, but I’m already gone. Upstairs, the hall is dim, morning light leaking in through half-closed blinds. I stop outside the bedroom door and take a breath before pushing it open.

They’re both sitting on the foot of the bed. Wrenley’s head rests on Max’s shoulder, his arm wrapped loosely around her waist. She looks small for once, peaceful maybe, but her eyes find me as soon as I step in. She smiles, soft and tired.

“Hey,” she says.

“Hey,” I answer. “I’m heading out with Torque. Just a quick recon run.”

Her posture changes in a heartbeat. “Recon? Where? I can come.”

I shake my head, crossing the room. “Not this time, little warrior. It’s nothing serious, we’re not even getting out of the car, just a drive-by.”

She frowns, glancing at Max before turning those sharp eyes back to me. “You two are keeping a secret. I let it go before, but now you’re going to tell me what the fuck is going on.”

Max exhales, the sound equal parts resignation and respect. He looks at me, I nod. No more hiding.

“You’re right,” Max says. “We don’t think Tiffany was working alone. We think someone else inside the Serpents was helping her—and might still be helping Sebastian.”

Wrenley blinks, processing, jaw tightening. “Who?”

I clear my throat. “We might have a lead.”

She straightens. “A lead?”

“We haven’t heard from Noah in eight days.” I say meeting her eyes.

Her laugh is small, humorless. “Noah? He would never.”

I step closer, crouching in front of her resting my hand on her knee. “I hope you’re right. But he’s either compromised… or captured. That’s what Torque and I are going to find out.”

She’s already standing before I finish. “Then I’m definitely coming with you.”

Her tone leaves no room for debate. The calm is gone, replaced by that spark I know too well, the one that means she’s already decided and she’ll burn through anyone who tells her no. I meet Max’s eyes over her shoulder. He shakes his head slightly, the message clear: don’t fight her here. But this time, I have to.

Her words hang in the air like a trigger half-pulled. I’m coming with you.

I take a step closer, my voice low. “No. You’re not.”

Her head tilts, eyes narrowing. “Excuse me?”

“It’s recon, Little warrior. That’s it.”

“You don’t get to decide that alone.”

Max shifts beside her, careful, watching the fuse burn shorter by the second.

“Wrenley,” I start, keeping my tone level, “This isn’t the move for you.”

She laughs, sharp and disbelieving. “Wow. That’s new. Since when do I sit things out?”

I drag a hand through my hair, exhaling hard. “Since this turned into something we don't understand yet. If Sebastian has Noah, this could be a setup. You walk into that blind—.”