I chuckle. “I will.”
She smiles again. “Okay.”
God, I don’t wanna leave her, but fuck, Ihaveto.
And so, before I end up changing my mind, I pull my arm from under her and get to my feet. Grabbing my phone and opening my chat with Jayce, I shoot him a quick text.
Me:Meet me at the gym in three hours. Text the others. Keep Solo out of this.
His reply, surprisingly, is quick.
Jay:It’s adorable that you have to ask me to keep Solo in the dark.
Me:Don’t test me.
Jay:You know I’ve got you, so relax.
Me:Thanks, man.
Jay:Don’t mention it.
“Dorran?”
I look at Cignette, and find her holding my switchblade out to me.
“You forgot this,” she says.
“I wonder who’s to blame for that,” I muse as I take it from her.
She rolls her eyes. “Go away. I’m too sleepy right now to have a back-and-forth with you.”
I grin and start back-walking towards her balcony. “Get your rest, then.” I wink at her, pocket my phone and switchblade, then turn around and escape into the rising morning.
22.
“You do know that Miranda is Chase fucking Adler’s sister, right?” Jayce asks.
I take a drag of my cigarette, then blow the steam out deliberately as I look around the dark, quiet alley.
“Yup,” I answer.
“And I hope you realize that both ChaseandMiranda are our clients,” he added. “And that if Miranda is harmed, she won’t waste a second in reaching out to her brother – who, in turn, will reach out to Solo. Who, let me remind you, is someone you wanted tokeep out of this situation.”
I give Jayce a bored look. “I’m not going to do anything to her,” I tell him. “Yet.”
“Ledge,” he says in warning, and his eyes harden as he glares disapprovingly at me.
A few cars pass by the alley, and their headlights temporarily illuminate the otherwise dull night.
“Have faith in Dorran, babe,” Alex assures him. “He’s never steered us wrong so far. Plus, we’re only here to do what we discussed earlier at the gym.”
And that is to give Miranda a clear warning, that’s all.
“I still think we should reconsider,” adds Varsha from next to me. “Chase has kept us safe and away from prison for all these years. We’re kinda in his debt. Breaching personal grounds and going for his family could put us in a seriously dicey position.” She looks at me. “Is Cignette really worth risking our necks for?”
“You know I wouldn’t have asked any of you to be here if she wasn’t,” I tell her honestly. “And besides, we’ve more than paid the debt we owe him by killing whoever he’s wanted us to kill. It’s not like we’re pressed on his goodwill or somethin’.”
“But that’s the thing, Ledge – our rapport with him and Miranda is an ongoing thing,” says Jayce. “It’s not a one and done; it’s still going to exist after tonight.” He pauses and glances unsurely at me. “At least that’s what I’m hoping will be the case.”
