She’s going to belong to me now. She just doesn’t know it yet.
I pull out my phone, find Holston’s number in my contacts. He answers on the first ring.
“Matteo,” he greets, voice carefully neutral. “What can I do for you?”
“That favor you owe me,” I state, watching a dancer below wrap herself around a pole, spinning in controlled descent. “I’m calling it in.”
“Anything,” he agrees too quickly, fear thinning his voice.
“Your employee Raven Carter.”
“What about her?” he asks, confusion clear in his tone. “Did she do something—”
“I want her,” I interrupt him brusquely.
There’s a pause, just long enough to tell me he’s surprised. “She’s one of my best,” he begins, caution evident. “She works multiple accounts, Matteo. I can’t just—”
“I didn’t ask for your opinion,” I cut him off. “I’m telling you what’s happening. She’s going to help me with something. And don’t worry, I’ll pay. Your favor isn’t going to ruin your company. I just need you on board and to smooth things over with her when the time comes.”
“Of course,” he backtracks immediately. “I’ll inform her—”
“No.” My voice drops lower as I interrupt him yet again. “I’ll handle that part personally. You just set up a meeting for Monday.”
“I-I can’t do that,” he stutters. “She has a week’s vacation, and I believe she’s out of town.”
For fuck’s sake. “Holston,” I growl angrily. “Get it fucking done, or I’ll undo what I did for you Friday night. Your choice.”
“B-but…” He trails off and I hear his resigned sigh. “Fine.”
“On second thought,” I say, smiling to myself. Now that I know he’ll do what I say, I can wait. “Set it up for a week from Monday, when she’s back. And don’t tell anyone the meeting is with me.”
“S-sure.”
“Oh, and Holston, email me her employee file. I want to know everything there is to know about Raven Carter.”
I end the call without another word, pocketing the phone as I turn from the window. My reflection catches in the glass—scarred face, eyepatch, single eye burning with purpose. Behind me, the club continues its preparations, unaware of the plans being made above their heads.
The thief who ran from my bed will become my eyes and ears, whether she wants to or not. She’ll help me find whoever’s feeding information to my enemies. That is, if she wants to continue living after stealing from me.
Chapter 6
Raven
Five days in Philly, and I’m breathing easier than I did after the attack outside Matteo’s apartment. Christ. What a fucking mess.
Nope, I’m not thinking about that now. Not ever.
Anyone who says denial and avoidance aren’t working coping mechanisms is a fool.
Hopefully, I won’t be thinking of it at all when my week off is up. Ugh, or maybe sooner. Don’t get me wrong, I love my family to bits. But man, they’re exhausting after almost a week together.
This is what I get for not booking an actual vacation when I requested the time off weeks ago. In my defense, I thought I’dspend the time exploring Cleveland. But after the attack… event I’m not thinking about, I needed some family time.
I let my gaze wander around my childhood bedroom, which feels frozen in time. Debate trophies line my bookshelf, their gold-plated figures eternally raising tiny metal arms in victory. Next to them, framed photos capture moments I’d almost forgotten.
Leo and me at sixteen, gangly limbs and braces, squinting into the late spring sun. Both of us hugging Baxter, our golden retriever, who sadly crossed the rainbow bridge many years ago. But he still lives in these snapshots, tongue lolling and eyes bright.
My high school valedictorian medal hangs from the corner of my mirror, alongside ticket stubs from concerts I barely remember attending. The room should feel childish, maybe even embarrassing.
