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Ryker knew one thing for sure: Jade wouldn’t have to go after that scumbag alone. Ryker would gladly show Rosé how badly he’d fucked up.
Chapter 23
Jade
Hours passed with no update. Eventually, the wait got to her and she started packing.
“What are you doing?” Ryker asked.
“Getting ready to leave. We need to catch the next flight to New York.”
“The smart move is to stay here where Rosé can’t find you,” he said.
“I don’t care. I’m not staying here. Rosé’s last known location was Boston. If he contacts me and says to meet him near Boston or New York by a certain time, I won’t make it if we’re still here. I have to be close for Lyra’s sake.”
Jade hated the waiting game. Ryker insisted that she stay in Ohio and wait to find out more information. Wait, wait, wait, while her best friend was held captive by a madman. She would never agree to that.
He said, “No. Even if you were nearby, you can’t meet him, anyway, so it’s a moot point. It’s too dangerous.”
Jade continued packing, but glared at him.
“Ryker.”
“Jade.”
“Didn’t you say that a ritzy, secure hotel in New York is a safe alternative to staying here, and that it’s my choice which location to spend my remaining vacation?”
“I did, but —”
“So I’ve changed my mind. We’re going to the ritzy hotel. On the next flight out.”
Ryker shook his head. “It’s not a good idea now.”
“I don’t care.”
She finished stuffing everything into her suitcase and zipped it shut.
She grabbed her phone and searched the next available flight.
Ryker said, “I really can’t advise that. You’re safe here. There’s no reason to rush anywhere at this point. We’re only a two hour flight from New York City here, and there are multiple flights per day — I already looked. If we need to go, it’ll only take a few hours to get there.”
Jade looked up from her phone and met Ryker’s gaze.
“That’s a few hours more than I’m comfortable with. My best friend is getting the shit kicked out of her because of me. She could die within ‘a few hours.’ Either we go to New York or I go to New York. Whatever you do is up to you, but I’m going. If you won’t go with me, I will go alone.”
“What?” Ryker glared at her. “No.”
“You can’t tell me no.”
“I can and I am.”
She started to respond, but he interrupted. He looked angrier than she’d ever seen him.
He growled, “I’m not saying I won’t go with you. I will. There is no way you are travelling to New York City by yourself today. Absolutely no fucking way. I will follow you to hell and back to be with you and make sure you’re safe. You never have to do anything alone again.
“What I am saying is that you no longer get to charge full steam ahead into dangerous situations by yourself. We need to discuss whatever happens as a team and make smart decisions together. You and I are together. We are a team. Don’t ever threaten to leave me behind because you aren’t getting your way. I would never leave you behind, and I expect the same courtesy from you. Do you understand me?”
A wave of guilt hit Jade. She hadn’t thought about it that way.
