By the time we hit the alley, I’m already grabbing the key from where I saw him stash it two days ago. The ignition clicks on with a stutter.
“Get on.”
“You’re insane.”
“Maybe,” I say. “But I’m getting you home.”
She glances around to make sure no one’s watching, then climbs on behind me.
This isn’t how I like to operate; rash decisions made on impulse. But I’m running out of options, and I know it. Turns out, even in all my obsession with catching that guy, I missed something. Now I’ve got no choice but to improvise and hope I’m not overlooking something worse.
The moped sputters to life. It’s louder than I’d like and clumsy to handle. Not great for staying under the radar, but it’s fast, and right now, that’s all that matters.
Sabine wraps her arms around my waist. She mutters something I can’t catch, but I’m already pulling out of the alley,ducking low as we slip onto the side road that runs behind the main strip. The buildings blur past. Her grip tightens every time I swerve or hit a bump.
I take every shortcut I know, back alleys, side streets, even the old maintenance road behind the dog park that hasn’t seen a car in years.
It takes thirty minutes to reach our street.
I slow down, scanning the houses one by one before turning into the driveway.
“Inside,” I say the moment we stop. “Now.”
Sabine doesn’t argue. She hops off, hair flying around her face, and bolts up the porch steps. I wait until I hear the lock click behind her before I turn back toward the street.
I have to assume he knows where I am and what I’m doing.
Shit.
I ditch the moped two blocks away behind the old tool rental shed, then sprint back and head inside.
Sabine’s pacing the living room.
“Come with me,” I say, heading upstairs.
I lead her into my room, past the closet, to a panel no one else knows about.
“Cassian,” she says, her voice low. “What are you doing?”
I open the crawlspace anyway. Pull out the metal box. Set it on the bed like a coffin.
“Before I leave, I’ll check all the locks. But I need you to be ready. Just in case.”
“Ready for what?”
She crosses her arms. She’s nervous now. But she stays.
“Grayson’s sending some of his people to watch the house. They’ll be here soon. Either way, don’t open the door. Don’t leave your room. Here, take this.”
I hand her my gun. She stares at it like it might bite.
“Cassian… I’ve never even held one.”
“There’s a first time for everything. Hopefully you won’t need to use it. But if it comes to that, just scaring him might be enough.”
“And if it’s not?”
“Then you stay alive. That’s what matters.”
