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“The phone I used to call Kenni two days ago.”
“Fuck.”
“Yeah.” Carter brushed a hand over his head. “The one I’d left for her was back on the nightstand where I originally put it that night. She’d trashed the damn thing after I told her the line would be disconnected.”
“Someone took it from the trash and put it next to her bed,” Brooks rattled off robotically.
“Which means they followed me. I fucked up.”
“You didn’t have ties to her. There’s no way you could have known.”
“I was being selfish. I should have completely walked away until I had all this shit figured out. Jessup is still running like a fucking coward and now he knows about McKenna.”
“You think it’s him?”
“Has to be. He’s the only one who has an investment in making me choose. Her life over his.”
“So what now?”
“I make sure I don’t have to choose. He’s gonna fucking die. I’m gonna be the one to make that happen. Kenni stays with me until it’s done.”
“And then what?”
The amusement in Brooks’ expression was easy to identify but that was also attributed to how close they were. Brooks had become family, a little brother, which meant he and Carter often communicated without words.
That was also due to the nature of their occupation. It amused Carter each time McKenna referred to him killing people as an occupation. He and Brooks were both very observant and could sense things most wouldn’t. Brooks was doing that right now but still decided to speak his mind.
“You’re stressed,” he stated flatly.
“Someone just threatened McKenna. I’m pretty sure I have the right to be.”
Brooks chuckled, raking a hand over his mouth. “Yeah, you do.”
“And she’s occupying the bedroom down the hall from mine,” Carter murmured with pinched brows.
“Did I miss something?”
He glared in annoyance until Brooks repeated his words. “Down the hall.”
Carter snorted and shrugged. “I’m trying not to push too hard but as soon as I figure out how the fuck to navigate incorporating her into my world, she’ll be mine.”
“Then what’s next?”
“I’m meeting with Kohen Corvidae.”
“Why?”
“Because I’m not going to risk her safety. My reach only goes so far. Kohen can help expand it.”
“There’s also a commitment you never wanted attached to that reach.”
“Not much I can do about that. Life is about choices. This is one I’m willing to make for her. You gonna be around?”
“I don’t have plans. I can hang around if you need me to.”
“I would appreciate it,” Carter murmured, processing how grave an adjustment having McKenna here would be. “She has a burner. She’ll call if she needs anything.”
“Aight.”
