Hell, Atlas was supposed to be dead already with Roman on his way to prison. Instead, Atlas just kissed me goodbye like a starved man and Roman has his arm wrapped around me while he waves goodbye to the others.
He wanted to go with Atty and Kor to find Wade, but I need him here. Our pre-trial is today and as the self-appointed liable party for Roman and everything he does, I need him here with me. I don’t give a fuckabout Thompson, but I do care about Sawyer, and he doesn’t deserve the backlash a fuck up like that would cause.
The meeting today will determine how much longer they’re obligated to stay in town and while I don’t want them to leave, it’s also pretty damn hard to plan a murder with three made men living under my roof. Kortez is paying too much attention to my every move and Roman tries to help with everything so he’s constantly checking in on me. Atlas is just happy I’m willing to try things with him again and he’s constantly at my side. The only one who knows the truth is Wyld, and even he’s been acting weird lately.
We were together for a year before he caught me and Viv in my bedroom talking about how we would get away with murder. Viv has known practically since the beginning and barely blinked an eye when I told her my plan to kill my ex-boyfriend – but what are best friends for? She watched me break and put myself back together more times than I could count.
She understood.
I didn’t understand Wyld’s immediate understanding, though, and I really didn’t expect him to want in. Now I think it may be because he’s been in love with me a lot longer than I realized.
Wyld began to train me so when the time came, I would be strong enough to do what I needed to. I learned self-defense and fighting with not only my fists, but how to fight dirty as well. He taught me to shoot with every type of gun he could get his hands on so that I wouldn’t hesitate or mess up if I needed to use one.
Then, we planned.
Wyld liked the plan, he likes order. Now the plans all fucked and none of us know what to do. Wyld isfilling in for Roman to go hunt a man we’ve shared drinks with, Viv is acting weird and working odd favors to try to get this case thrown out, and I am trying to figure out how to convince Wade to spare Atlas when we go after Aldo.
Every second is another that the guys may find out what I’ve really been up to all this time. It’s more time Wade thinks the plan to kill my first love is still on, and I don’t know if he’s hunting them or not. He’s gone off the books.
Wade and I were supposed to have multiple check ins since Roman got arrested and instead, he went off the radar. With me, at least.
I’m sure he’s the reason Thompson is giving me such a hard time. There’s no doubt in my mind that Wade is controlling the trial, probably buying Thompson’s fickle loyalty right from under me. Wade isn’t who I thought he was. Then again, I’m never what anyone expects me to be.
My body jolts from the sound of gravel crunching in my driveway as Wyld backs out, shooting me a wink as he turns to look out the back windshield.
“Well, that’s a wrap. We need to start heading to the courthouse, the pre-trial starts in an hour.”
Roman follows me into the house, locking the door behind him before continuing after me and up the stairs.
“You think you can get this thing thrown out? It’s got to be illegal for the cops to withhold evidence.”
I let out a sigh as I enter my room and immediately head for my closet with Roman still hot on my heels. “It would be if they had the evidence, but they don’t. Viv said when her contact went to sign out the gun that it was missing.”
Roman lets out a soft curse. “Wade. It’s got to be.”
I let out a soft grunt of acknowledgement as I dig through my hangers, trying to find an outfit that looks good enough for court but one that also won’t feel too uncomfortable. “Maybe. Thompson isn’t doing this at all how it was supposed to be done.”
I turn to find Roman standing directly behind me. “You mean legally, right?”
My lips turn up in a soft smile, and I pray my eyes don’t give away the truth. “Yeah, Roman. Legally.”
“He has to be working with Wade. There’s no way a clean judge would think this trial has enough to run on when evidence is being withheld. He should be going after the fucking police department!” Roman kicks a metal trashcan in the alleyway beside the courthouse, causing it to clang as it hits the ground and rolls into a brick wall.
He continues to rant as his hands slide through his short, red hair. “It’s Wade. He wants me to stay in Colorado but why?”
He practically yells the last part, his question ringing in my ears until it turns into the answer.
Because you’re bait in a trap Wade still has set.
I don’t say it, though. I can’t.
Until I can get in touch with Wade and call him off, I can’t come clean. I have to pretend I have no clue who Wade is or why he would want my men to stay in Colorado.
Roman looks at me with a stressed look in his eyes, the corners squinted as his bottom lip goes between his teeth. “Oh, Little Moth, I’m not complaining about having to stay with you.”
I shake my head, “I wasn’t worried about – “
His long legs bring him directly in front of me before I can finish my sentence. Thunder shakes the ground as his eyes meet mine, the storm the weather man predicted coming in hot and just in time to accompany Roman’s dark mood.
