“But, it’s too much,” I say, nibbling my lower lip as Roxy swipes Jude’s little black card. I’ve never spent anything on myself, trying to save everything I’ve ever managed to earn frommy OnlyFans to aid our escape. My sperm donor would have gotten suspicious if I’d gone on big shopping sprees anyway, on account of him never giving me any cash. Any clothes that I had were given to me by Rook, occasionally bought at the thrift store, or given to me by some of the other women who hang around the Soldiers. They have the misguided hope that one day some gang member might make an honest woman out of them. They never did, but I can’t fault them for dreaming, even if it’s misplaced.
“Nothing will ever be too much for you, Nightingale. Nothing,” Jude tells me, his arms tightening as Knox steps forward to grab the many bags that contain my new wardrobe. “You are worth so much more than a few clothes.”
“Jude, I—” I can’t finish, I don’t know what to say, my soul tearing with every sweet word that falls from his beautiful mouth.
“Come,” Aeron interjects, holding out his hand. “Let’s go home.”
Home.
There’s that word again. A prayer and a taunt all rolled into one, causing a swirling inside me that threatens to pull my very being apart. I swallow hard, nodding and taking his offered hand, letting him lead me out of the store and back to the car.
Back to the only home that I’ve ever known. To the place that I hope will still be waiting for me one day, but know in the depth of my heart that will be closed to me the minute we break into my father’s headquarters.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
“SORRY” BYHALSEY
LARK
Friday rolls around all too soon, and I wake up with a headache and an empty feeling in the pit of my stomach. I’m sure the guys notice, especially when I can’t eat much all day. They keep giving me furtive glances, pulling me close and whispering that everything will be okay after tonight.
How wrong they are. Nothing will be okay after tonight.
We’re silent as we get ready, wearing all black. Knox left several hours ago, to take up point and watch the courtyard where we will make our entrance. I try to quell my racing heart as I pull on my long-sleeved black shirt and leggings, slipping my feet into black combat boots.
“Here,Aziz-e delam,” Tarl says, his voice soft as he holds out a small knife encased in a leather thigh sheath.
“T–thank you,” I reply, my mouth dry and the words hurting as they leave my throat.
“Allow me.” He drops to his knees, holding my gaze. He turns his stare to my leg, taking the leather straps and wrapping them around my leg, doing the buckles up tightly. “Whatever happens tonight, it’ll be okay.” His voice is low, a whisper for only me to hear, and my entire body stills, my heart thudding painfully in my chest.Does he know?
I meet his mismatched stare, and his gaze is intense, like he’s trying to delve into my very soul. I’m reminded that he’s the Tailors’ top man for gathering intel. That they call him the Inquisitor.
“O–okay,” I whisper back, and we keep eye contact as he stands, so close that our chests brush. His hand reaches up, his dry, warm palm cupping my cheek as he leans in. My eyes close when I feel his lips hover over mine.
“I forgive you.”
I can’t react when he presses a soft kiss to my lips, my breaths ragged as chills sweep over my body. When I open my eyes he’s gone, nothing but cold air where he once was.
“Are you ready, Dove?” Aeron asks, coming to stand where Tarl was moments ago. “What’s wrong? You can stay here, it’s not too late to back out.”
“N–no, I was just…” My mind is racing, and I can’t stop blinking, trying desperately to figure out why Tarl wouldn’t say anything if he knows what my plan is.
“Just?” Aeron questions, leaning down to catch my eye. His hand cups the same cheek Tarl just did, and the warmth of his palm is enough to break me out of my frozen state.
“W–won’t the cops stop us? We’ve a lot of weapons on show,” I worry, my mind latching on something, anything to steer him away from my swirling thoughts.Do the others know?
“Not tonight, Dove. There aren’t any patrols in the east side of the city tonight,” he tells me, his face a blank mask but I can read between the lines. Whetstone PD is in the pocket of theTailors, another reason for my father to hate them, but it doesn’t mean that we can walk around with exposed weapons without fear of being arrested.
“Good to know.” I take a deep inhale. “Are we ready to go?”
“Yes. As long as you are?” His brows raise, his face softening. I know that he’d rather I stay here, but he’s also a good leader and knows that I have the best chance of getting them into the building and to my father.
“Then let’s go kick some Soldier ass,” I say, trying to lift my lips into a grin. It feels forced, and I know he notices because his forehead creases.
“Hells yeah!” Jude cries out, breaking the moment by grabbing me out of Aeron’s hold and spinning me around. “Let’s paint the east side red!”
A sour taste fills the back of my throat. I can only hope that it’s not the blood of my men that coats the east side tonight, and I have to blink away the moisture that fills my eyes at the thought of any of them getting hurt. The plan is not for them to be harmed, they’re leverage, but Rufus has never been a man of his word.
