Page 24 of The Unravelings

“Is that all you’re crying about? Your small dick?” I raise a brow, taunting him further.

He glares at me and shoves the note in his pocket. “No, Liv. Ugh. My dick is fine. My pride, though? It’s a little bruised…” He trails off, looking out the window. “I don’t know how I let this happen. I was so careful. Even when we…” He darts his eyes to me and crudely gestures. “It was in her hotel room. I followed every point of protocol for hooking up with a stranger while on a case. I took nothing personal with me and told her nothing about who I really was.”

With a satisfied sigh, I turn the knob and shut it softly. Thankfully, when Jordy and I arrived, there was no one else in the dorm. That’s a big win for us today, one we could really use on this shitastic day.

Quickly, I flip the lock to ensure the conversation between Jordy and me won’t get interrupted. Then, I scurry to my dresser and shove the badge Jonathan tossed at me beneath my panties, next to my vibrator. No one will find them now. With my new lock, no one can get into my room without me being present. And the last thing I need is someone finding my badge or my knife—which seems to have vanished—and questioning me about it.

Blowing out a breath, I flop next to Jordy. “You think she was onto you? And she followed you to the restaurant? Or maybe that’s why she hooked up with you.”

Jordy shakes his head. “No clue. I’ve been trying to figure out how she knew I was going to be there. Unless she bugged my unbuggable phone. Or overheard me talking to you when you called, begging for my help.”

“Begging?” I grumble. “Jonathan had told me I was being sent back here.” I gesture to my empty dorm room. “Jerk.” I teasingly bump my shoulder into his as he chuckles.

“Can’t resist me,” he quips, batting his eyelashes and returning to his playful self. Well, until my computer beeps with a coded message from headquarters. “They can’t track the SUV,” he whines again.

Great. This is going to be the biggest pity party on the planet. Jordy and his bruised ego. All because he let his mark jump his bones and then steal his car.

“How can they not track it?” It’s weird. They can track anything that’s bugged with our GPS systems.

Jordy shrugs. “Our SUV’s GPS was disabled. Our trackers were removed from it. Or dismantled. Or… God, what did she do to my precious? And my laptop,” he whines again, throwing the blankets over his head. “Leave me here. Let me rot in your bed for a few days before getting my ass torn open. And not in the sexy way, either. Jonathan is going to force me into bathroom duties. And ugh.”

I sigh, coming to sit beside him. “You’ll have to face Jonathan at some point.”

Jordy waves a hand. “Key word—some point. But not today. He’s aware I’m an epic failure. So let me wallow in all my misery. Just for today. Please, Livy?”

I lie down and gently uncover his face. “Just for today.”

His crystal blue eyes take me in. “How are you holding up being back in this room?” Ah, he’s diverting now, wanting the attention off his misery and on my own. Fuck. We’re quite the pair right now.

I swallow hard, trying not to imagine JJ standing a few feet away like he was several hours ago, accusing me of faking my death.

“I’m terrified,” I whisper, so maybe he doesn’t hear my confession.

Jordy tightens his grip on me and pulls me close, so our faces are an inch apart.

“It’s normal to be afraid of the unknown. To face your ghosts. But you’re the most badass girl I know. If they come for you, I know you’ll have their balls in jars as trophies on your shelf.” He grins, gently kissing my cheek. “They don’t stand a chance against you.”

I snort, pushing him away and wiping away the kiss on my cheek with an over-exaggerated gag. Maybe they don’t stand a chance. I’m stronger than I was before. Physically. Mentally. Trained with firearms and hand-to-hand combat. I could take all three of them all at once. But not like before. There would be no naked horizontal dancing for us.

I’ll aim to kill now. Or at least maybe maim or injure.

Being so close to JJ and seeing the look in his eyes chipped away at the stone wall I had built inside me. I can’t shatter around them. I can’t let them get an inch on me. Or the same result will happen. I’ll be killed for who I am.

“I’m so for real, Liv. I see the doubt festering there, and we all know what happens when you stew in your juices.” He flicks my forehead.

I wrinkle my nose. “That sounds disgusting, and could you not?” I grumble, rubbing at the stinging spot between my eyes.

Jordy chuckles. “It is disgusting watching you waste away with your thoughts. So, stop fucking thinking so much and slay the beasts. Get into that damn gang and make them regret ever laying a finger on you.”

“You make it sound so easy,” I huff. “Nothing is simple, though. If I didn’t know them so well…” I shake my head. “And now, they know it’s me. How am I supposed to survive?”

“Use it to your advantage, like uncle said. So JJ fucker knows who you are. Seduce the asshole into helping you. Use your feminine ways and your boobily boobs.” He winks, flinching before I smack him.

“I swear to God you’re in love with me,” I grit out playfully.

Jordy gags. “I think marrying and fucking your sister is severely frowned upon in California. Besides, I want to puke now, just by saying that.” A greenish tint takes over his complexion until he takes a few deep breaths.

“Are you going to survive?” I ask him.