Rocky
Icrouchedintheshadowsbeyond the park's single streetlamp, scanning the area for the third time in ten minutes.The message from Wren made no sense.Why contact me now after our last bitter encounter only a couple of hours ago?A cold breeze whistled through the rusted chains of abandoned swings, creating an eerie rhythm that matched my unease.Something felt off.
I checked my watch.Two minutes to midnight.The night air bit through my leather jacket, but the cold registered as merely an afterthought compared to the storm of anxiety churning in my gut.
I took comfort in the solid weight of my gun at the small of my back.If this turned south, I needed options.The rational part of my brain screamed at me to leave, to call Vittorio and abort whatever clusterfuck this night promised to become.But I couldn't bring myself to walk away.Not when Wren might show up.Not when she might need help, even if she hated admitting it.
The crunch of gravel pulled my attention to the park entrance.A slim figure moved through the shadows, purple hair catching the dim light.My heart hammered against my ribs as I recognized Wren.She moved cautiously, head swiveling to scan her surroundings.Smart girl.The sight of her hit me harder than expected, memories of her body against mine, her scent, her laugh, all flooding back in a rush that almost knocked me back a step.
I stepped into the feeble circle of light cast by the streetlamp.Wren froze as she spotted me.Her hand slipped into her jacket pocket.Likely reaching for a weapon.
"You texted me," she said, keeping her distance, voice hard with suspicion.
My blood ran cold."No.You texted me."
Her eyes widened fractionally, the first genuine flash of surprise I'd seen."I got a message from you an hour ago.Said you needed to meet."
"I never sent that."I pulled out my phone, showed her the screen with her supposed message to me.
Wren looked at the phone, then back at my face.Understanding dawned in her eyes, followed quickly by alarm."We need to go.Now."She turned back toward the entrance.
"Too late for that, sweetheart."The voice came from behind the playground equipment, smooth and deadly as a snake's hiss.Vex stepped into view, his copper snake patch gleaming dully against his leather cut.A prospect followed a few steps behind him, hand resting casually on the gun at his hip.The kid looked young but his eyes held the flat, dead look of someone who enjoyed hurting others.
"Evening," Vex said, lips curling into something too cruel to call a smile.His eyes flicked between Wren and me."What a touching reunion."
I kept my face neutral, mind racing through options.If they wanted us dead, we already would be.They wanted something else.Information?Leverage?Something worth keeping us alive for.I stepped slightly to the left, angling my body between Wren and the Copperheads.
"Vex," I acknowledged with a slight nod."What the Goddamned fuck brings you out so late?It’s past your bedtime."
He ignored my question, focusing instead on Wren."Ghost's daughter.The famous little Wren we've heard so much about."His gaze traveled down her body with deliberate slowness."Prettier than I thought."Wren tensed beside me but said nothing.
Vex laughed, a harsh sound like broken glass."Two of you looked pretty fuckin’ cozy at the Valentine’s Ball."His gaze shifted to me, hardening."Interesting you never mentioned getting close to the Bound in Blood VP's daughter in your reports, Rocky."
The moment stretched taut, decision time.I heard Wren's breath catch beside me.Out of the corner of my eye, I saw her hand inch toward her pocket again.If she pulled a weapon now, we both died.
I moved fast, grabbing her wrist in a grip firm enough to hurt, twisting her arm behind her back.She gasped, more in surprise than pain, her body going rigid against mine.
"Careful there," I growled, voice dropping an octave, rougher, colder—the voice of a man I pretended to be."Wouldn't want you scratching that pretty face when I slam you into the ground."
"What the fuck!"Wren struggled against my grip, genuine shock and betrayal flashing in her eyes.The hurt there almost made me loosen my hold.Almost.
I looked back at Vex, keeping my expression hard."She's my project.I thought Acid made that clear.You think I didn't know exactly who she belonged to when I approached her?"
Vex's eyes narrowed, suspicion evident in every line of his face."Funny.Acid never mentioned anything about you working the Bound in Blood angle."
"Need-to-know basis," I replied smoothly."And you didn't need to know.Still don't."
The prospect took a step forward, fingers twitching near his gun."Bullshit.I've been watching you for weeks.You're into her."
I laughed, making sure it sounded ugly, dismissive."Course I am.Makes the performance more convincing."I shoved Wren forward slightly, maintaining my grip."Tell them, sweetheart.Tell them how I made you think I cared."
Wren twisted in my grip, eyes meeting mine.I saw the exact moment understanding flickered behind her rage—the realization that I played a part to keep us both alive.She spat at me, the saliva landing on my cheek.
"Go to hell," she hissed.
I wiped my face with my free hand, then fisted my hand in her hair and pulled her against me.I saw her wince and nearly let her go.But if I did Vex would see straight through me."That's no way to talk to your boyfriend."
Vex watched the exchange, amusement mixing with lingering doubt."So this whole time, you've been working her for intel on Bound in Blood?And Acid knows?"
