I closed my eyes and lowered my head.The man knew me better than I knew myself.“OK.”I was very aware I hadn’t actually said, “I promise” but Ghost didn’t push.Which surprised me.
I thought of Rocky's face when he realized I'd heard his call.The desperation in his eyes as he tried to explain.For a split second, he'd looked sincere.But Ghost was right.Men like Rocky lied for a living.
Ghost nodded once, then slipped out the door, closing it quietly behind him.I stood in the hallway for a long moment.Only when I was sure he was gone did I allow my shoulders to slump, the facade of strength crumbling now that I was alone.I turned toward my bedroom, exhaustion weighing me down.Tomorrow would bring its own battles.But for tonight, all I wanted was the oblivion of sleep.
I locked my bedroom door with a soft click, then leaned against it.My legs gave out, and I slid down until I hit the floor, knees pulled to my chest.The silence of my room pressed in around me, broken only by my ragged breathing.This was my space.My sanctuary.The one place I didn't have to be strong or tough or Ghost's fearless daughter.Here, I could fall apart without witnesses.
And fall apart I did.
The tears came again, hot and angry.I buried my face in my hands, shoulders shaking with silent sobs.I'd sworn to myself after the shitshow that was my childhood that I'd never be vulnerable again.
Yet here I was, shattered by a few nights with a man who'd probably been laughing at me the whole time.Every word, every touch, every moment of intimacy had been designed for whatever purpose the Copperheads had in targeting me.But that wasn't what hurt the most.What cut deepest was how real it had felt.The way Rocky looked at me like I mattered.The conversations that seemed to flow without effort.The feeling of safety I'd had in his arms, a sense of belonging I'd only ever felt with Ghost and the club.
All lies.
I squeezed my eyes shut, pressing the heels of my hands against them until I saw stars.Enough.I wasn't going to waste any more tears on someone who'd played me for a fool.With effort, I pushed myself up from the floor.My legs wobbled but held as I stumbled to my bathroom.I flipped on the light and flinched at my reflection.
Jesus.I looked like roadkill.My purple hair stuck out in wild tangles.My eyes were swollen and red-rimmed, mascara smudged beneath them in dark smears.Even my lips looked raw, bitten and chapped.This wasn't me.This broken, pathetic creature in the mirror wasn't Wren of Bound in Blood.Daughter to the VP.
I turned on the cold water full blast and leaned over the sink.The first splash hit like a slap, shocking and brutal.I welcomed it.Again and again I cupped water to my face, scrubbing away tears and makeup and any trace of vulnerability.When I straightened, water dripping from my chin, my reflection looked marginally better.
I gripped the edges of the sink.The porcelain was cool and solid beneath my palms, an anchor in the storm of my emotions."This is the last time," I told my reflection, my voice raw but steady."The last fucking time you cry over him.The last time you waste a single thought wondering if any of it was real."My reflection stared back, green eyes hardening as I spoke the words aloud."You're done being weak.Done being played.If he comes near you again, you end him yourself."The conviction in my voice surprised even me."You are Ghost's daughter.You are Bound in Blood.And you are never, ever letting anyone make you feel this small again."
Rocky thought he'd played me.Thought he could use me to get to Ghost, to the club.He had no idea what was coming for him.He would, though.
After a quick shower and tossing Rocky’s T-shirt in the trash, I went to bed, not bothering with even a sleep shirt.I pulled the covers close and closed my eyes.With a deep breath, I finally allowed exhaustion to pull me under.My last conscious thought was simple, brutal clarity.
Fuck Rocky.And fuck the Copperheads.They'd started this game.But I would be the one to finish it.
Chapter Ten
Rocky
Ithoughtaboutmychoicein attire for this meeting.I’d known Vittorio Luca and his brothers nearly my whole life.When they made a power grab to gain the city’s underground, I’d been right there with them.I did whatever any of them required, which mostly kept with my background in recon.I’d deliberately dressed down — wearing a faded AC/DC shirt, black jeans, and my motorcycle boots.I’d stick out like a beat dick in this place, but I needed my friend, Tori.Not my boss Mr.Luca.
High Tower gleamed around me, all polished surfaces and muted wealth that made my attire feel even more out of place.My boots clunked against the marble floor as I headed toward the private elevator that would take me to Vittorio’s top floor office.As expected, security stopped me.To be fair, I usually dressed more in line with my surroundings.
“This elevator is for private use… Rocky?”
“George.”
“What’s this?”He fingered my T-shirt.“Mr.Luca won’t be pleased.”
“Mr.Luca might not be pleased but I’m not particularly keen on pleasing the bastard just now.”
The older man winced.“You’re looking for trouble, aren’t you.”
I gave him a crisp nod.“I am.”
George raised his hands and stepped back.“Want me to let him know you’re coming, or have a memory lapse and have to look up his number?”
I stabbed the button to call the elevator.“Don’t give a fuck.”The door slid open and I stepped inside.
“Good luck.”George gave me a two finger salute as the door closed.
The elevator climbed as it ascended to the top non-stop.Each floor took me further from the grimy world of the Copperheads and closer to the pristine domain of the Luca Family.The slim dossier tucked under my arm contained everything needed to take down the Copperheads' trafficking operation.But first, I had to face Vittorio Luca.
The elevator doors slid open with another chime that announced my arrival to an empty reception area.A woman with immaculately styled dark hair glanced up from behind a curved desk of polished wood and glass.
