I really do hate flaking on my work. My family means everything to me.Almost everything.I’m not sure how to explain any of this though. It’s such a jumbled mess of right and wrong. An unabating lure I can’t fight. Nothing else matters besides getting to Rena and destroying anyone who’s caused her pain. Another element I shouldn’t share, so I own my failure instead. “I know I’m not pulling my weight with KORT work—”
“None of us think that.” Wells half shuts the laptop I’m working on to acquire my attention. “You’re doing exactly what you need to be doing. The Noires are certainly grateful. Celeste is handling the shelter. Liam and I are shouldering some of the load for Ivy, not that we’ve mastered all the weird cinema references. But everything is running smoothly. And I have that meeting with New Age Tech tomorrow about their AI software, which will afford us a leg up in finding Rena.”
When he lowers himself into the chair beside my desk, his eyes grow so sharp and heavy that they slice right into my lungs. “Youwon’t be doing the Noires—or more specifically, Rena—any favors if you lose yourself. If you spin out.”
I’m certain all the Noires would agree that losing myself in order to find Rena is a sacrifice worth making. I’d happily sell my soul to ensure hers was safe.
A phone vibrates in my jeans pocket. Not my primary cell—my emergency line. I always keep it close, but it’s been on my person since Ivy admitted to giving Rena the number. My chest tightens at the thought that she’d reach out to me, heart leaping to my throat. I hoped she might, but expected her to try one of the girls first.
If I check it, Wells and Liam will ask who it is. And since they clearly think I’ve gone mad, they might take it from me.
I can’t risk it, so I bite into the sandwich, humming in appreciation as I chew. A lie. It grows into a sticky doughball in my mouth. Choking it down with a forceful swallow, I cock my head as though I’ve come to a decision. “You’re right. I don’t want to let any of you down—”
“You never let anybody down, Ty.” Liam gapes at his Zippo flame before his gaze meets mine. “You’re the best of us. But you have to let us take care of you.”
Fuck. That stings.It’s a warped assessment but heartfelt nonetheless. They see the good as truth and the ugly as a symptom of twisted fate. But it’s the opposite.
Keeping my eyes latched on to his, I feed him what he needs. “I know, man. Love you guys. I swear I’m good. But sleep is a wise choice. I’ll get back to it in the morning with fresh eyes.”
With that, I turn off all the monitors, tuck my laptop under my arm, stick the soda can in my pocket, and prepare to retreat to my room with my sandwich in hand.
Wells isn’t so easy. He rises, side-eyeing me with loaded skepticism. The man never misses anything. “You’re headed to bed? Just like that?”
“Isn’t that what you were both hinting at?” I volley. “It’s afterone in the morning. I’m sure your wives would be giving you both the same speech.”
Not waiting for an answer, I rush out of the office and up to my room. It takes a hot minute because our offices are on the first floor and my bedroom is located on the second floor at the other end. Twenty-seven thousand square feet is a bitch at the moment.
When I finally shut and lock my door, I dump the late-night snack on my dresser, toss my laptop onto my bed, plop down beside it, and open the phone in one fluid movement.
Private: Hi
My pulse ratchets higher. I memorized Rena’s burner number. It’s her. I’m not sure if she knows it’s me that she’s texting, but either way, I want to ease her into talking.
Me: Hey. Are you okay?
It only takes about thirty seconds for a response.
Private: I just need to chat. You said if I needed anything …
Sounds like she does know it’s me. Although I suppose Ivy and Celeste told her the same.
Me: I did. Anything.
Private: Be careful now. I might hold you to that and seriously up the stakes.
That has a flirty edge to it. One I want to dive off of far too much. But the playfulness will help lead me to her, so I go with it.
Me: I’m game.
Private: Brave. We’ll start light for now. You have to promise you won’t tell my brothers I reached out.
My heart hammers into my rib cage. I expected her to request that, but shouldn’t agree to it.
Me: They’re worried about you.
Private: I know. I feel bad, but I needed tobreathe.
Me: I can understand that.
