Warden introduces himself naturally, but Hammer clings to his name like it’s a secret. Their names are telling, and I shiver each time I meet another one of them.
“Crimson Road made their move,” Ripper says calmly, though his tense fingers reveal underlying stress. “Judge knows but won’t act yet. I need to visit Meadow Falls, but I don’t want to go alone.”
“Judge told you to stay here.” Hammer doesn’t bat an eye as his arms cross heftily over his chest. “Specifically, you.”
Ripper tilts his head back to let out a laugh. “Exactly!But you two? You guys are free to do whatever you please.”
Warden scoffs, rolling his eyes. “Pretty sure he doesn’t need to tell us each to keep our asses out of trouble. It’s common sense. Then again, you do have some screws missing.”
That confirms my suspicions about Ripper. I expect anger from his insult, but he has a sly smile likewhen he caughtme snooping. His eyes are empty behind the smile, hiding his thoughts. Talk about scary.
His hand leaves my arm, fingers softly stroking my hair, making me more unsettled. “They’ve kidnapped her sibling, you guys. They’re likely torturing them now while she’s here. Do you think they’ll leave anything if she doesn’t return with what they want?”
My heart suddenly hurts, and my eyes water. Could it be poor timing, or just what Ripper wants? His hand drifts to my jaw, cradling it softly as he lifts my face like it’s on display.
Hammer’s nose flares as Warden’s eyes narrow at me.
“Wait,she’swith them?” Warden scoffs. “What the fuck? What is this, a grand tour of our home? You want to show her Stack’s room while you’re at it?”
Ripper sighs, his annoyance seeping through. His thumb strokes my cheek absentmindedly, like he doesn’t realize what he’s doing. It’s not unpleasant. “She’s not a threat. All she wants back is her sibling. Ain’t that right?”
I’m being used right now, I can feel it deep in my bones. Hammer breathes heavier in silence, and I don’t know what he’s thinking. Even if it offends me to be under Ripper’s thumb, I follow along with Paulie as the topic.
As sore as my eyes are from spilling them, I nod and feel the wet streaks fall down my cheeks. Meeting Ripper’s gaze to see if I’m doing what he wants, I’m surprised by his scowl. Before I can figure out what I’ve misunderstood, he’s looking at Warden.
“You two work best in a pair. Come on, you can’t let your best friend go out and get himself killed, can you? Come help us.” Ripper’s back to smiling, using that sweet tone.
“Hammer isn’t fucking—”
“Sure. I’ll go.” Hammer interrupts him after an uncomfortable ten seconds. “For the girl.”
Ripper makes this approving sound as he releases me from his hold. Looking pleased with himself, he swipes at the streaks on my cheeks before pulling away entirely. “Lovely. So, Warden.”
“You’re going to get us killed.” His nose wrinkles as he looks at the other man. “You’re serious? You want to die for a spy?”
Hammer scoffs. “Speak for yourself. I don’t plan on dying.”
Warden throws his hands out of frustration. “Dude.”
Between them going back and forth as they make up their mind, I look toward Ripper. He’s silent, too. Like he knows when he has to speak and when not to, he lets them convince themselves.
Ripper is smart, but terrifying. He wouldn’t be a second-in-command if he weren’t.
“Judge can’t know we had a hand in it.” Warden moves his glare toward us. “No matter what.”
Ripper laughs like he’s told a joke. “I won’t breathe a word. Maybe I can end this. If so, everything returns to normal—our hacker back, and this woman out of our hair.”
Is it me, or had his voice shifted with that last part? Somehow, it doesn’t feel like the truth is leaving his lips.
While Warden shoves his fingers through his hair as if he’s losing years of his life to stress, Hammer mentions going back to their game and starting a new one, as if this discussion is just another conversation for him.
Ripper presses his hand back to the middle of my back, leading me back to the clubhouse. Like he’s satisfied with himself, he doesn’t bother lingering for any celebration drinks for his success. Instead, he leads me back to the same room,hisroom. Letting out a yawn behind me, I feel the same tiredness in my soul.
What I would do for a good night’s sleep right about now.
He releases me once the door is shut. Stretching like a cat, he moves over to shut the window I escaped from.
“Are you willing to tell me what that was about?” Sitting against the bed, I try not to think about the blankets already being well-used by the man standing only a couple of feet away.
