I feel the moment she falls asleep. The steady rhythm of her breathing and the lax weight of her arm over my stomach. I stare at the ceiling for a moment, stunned by how quickly I became accustomed to having her like this. How right it feels to have her here when I’ve spent so many years alone. I think about it for a minute before extracting myself and rising to my feet.
I make it two steps from her bed and my phone buzzes. Jax’s name flashes across the screen. I silence it, then slide the blankethigher over her shoulders, pressing a kiss to her temple before heading out of the room.
The door closes behind me. I pull my phone out and answer it then head downstairs. “Talk to me.”
Jax’s voice comes through with equal parts amusement and concern. “Damn, man. You sound like you’re about to murder someone just for calling.”
I stare out the front window of her store, my jaw flexing as my eyes scan the street. “You got somethin’ on those two assholes or not?”
I want to know their names, their fucking occupations, what they care about most. They hurt her. I don’t care if it was seven years ago or twenty. They don’t get to walk away from that.
He sighs, keys clacking in the background. “Yeah, I got plenty. First one? Still works at the same accounting firm that he did when he was with Seriph. Currently engaged to some poor woman who has no idea he’s banging his assistant on company time.” He pauses, his voice taking on a darker note. “Second guy? Owns a high end construction company.” The disgust in his tone is obvious.
“Good.” A storm inside me is brewing, dark and violent beneath the surface.
He hesitates, sighing dramatically into the receiver. “You gonna tell me why you wanted this info?”
I weigh my words, gritting out a response. “It’s personal.”
He scoffs, “Already figured that. Everything concerning her is personal for you.”
“This is more so.” My gaze sweeps up to the door leading to her loft. I force myself to turn away. “Is that all you found?”
“Like I wouldn’t find everything.” He makes a sound that indicates he’s offended. “You’re really not going to like this though.”
My hand tightens on the phone, already preparing for the worst. “Just spit it out, Jax.”
“The first guy, I couldn’t find much except that he’s engaged now. He’s got a decent life, seems like. No illegal activity, just doesn’t keep his dick in his pants.”
No surprise there. I ask, “And the other one?”
“That’s where things get interesting...” he says ominously.
“What do you mean by interesting?” My patience is wearing thin at his theatrics.
He exhales sharply through his teeth, the kind of gesture that precedes bad news. “Second guy’s in town. And guess who opened an office two blocks from Moonglow?”
I go utterly still, the plastic of the phone creaks in my hand. “When?”
“Moved in Monday,” he replies grimly. “And get this, he’s been asking around about Seriph. Specifically.”
The world narrows to white noise for half a second before I force air back into my lungs. “Send me everything you’ve got on him. Now.” My voice is lethally calm. “And Jax? Keep this between us.”
“Already sending through to your secure server.” He pauses. “You need me to handle this? Because I can make him disappear. Permanently. No loose ends.”
I don’t have the patience to wonder at his enthusiasm for taking this guy down, the temptation laces through me like wildfire at his offer. I glance up to the loft again. “No.” I grit the word out. “Not yet, but put a tracker on him. I want to know every move he makes.”
Jax hums his approval. “Anything for her, huh?”
I hang up without answering.
~ Seriphina Joseph ~
GRIFFIN WHISPERS INmy ear, “Hey, Sunshine. Time to get up.”
The sheets rustle as I shift, a little groggy and disoriented with sleep as I squint my eyes to look up at him.
“Jax and Bishop will be at the restaurant in thirty. Thought you might want to shower.”
