"No.But right now, you don't have much choice."I let my guard drop completely, allowing her to see the genuine fear in my eyes.“I swear on my life, Wren.I will not let them take you from me.”
"I don't trust you," she said finally."But I believe you about the danger."Her posture remained rigid, but something shifted in her stance—the slightest relaxation of her shoulders, a fractional unclenching of her fists."So what the fuck do we do now?"
Relief flooded through me, but I pushed it aside.We hadn't cleared the danger yet.Not by a long shot."We call for extraction.Get you somewhere safe.Then deal with the fallout."
Wren nodded once, the movement tight and reluctant."Fine.But when this is over, you and I are going to have a very long conversation about trust and truth.And I'm still not convinced I shouldn't kick your ass when it's all said and done."
Despite everything, a small smile tugged at my lips."I'd expect nothing less."
I moved to my bookshelf, fingers tracing along the spines until I found the thick motorcycle repair manual tucked between lesser-used references.My hands shook slightly as I pulled it free, revealing not a book but a hollowed-out shell that concealed my sat phone.
"What are you doing?"Wren asked, her voice quiet but still sharp with distrust.
"Calling for help.Vittorio needs to know the situation has changed.We need to get the fuck out of here and will need back up to leave.Vex will bring the whole club down on me after he talks to Acid.”
The phone rang once, twice.I kept my eyes on Wren as she moved toward my bedroom doorway, her figure a silhouette against the dim light beyond.
"Yes?"A familiar voice answered, alert despite the hour.
"It's me," I said quietly."Sendin’ up the Bat Signal, Tori.They know about the VP's daughter and I’m about to be compromised."
Silence on the other end, then a sharp intake of breath."How compromised are you?"
"Fully.Vex made me.Or suspected enough to test me."I turned away from Wren, lowering my voice further."Had to claim I worked her for intelligence.They think she's with me now, talking, but we don't have much time.Vex will talk with Acid then the gig’s up."
Vittorio cursed in rapid Italian."On the way now.Tell Wren I’m bringing her daddy with me."
"Twenty minutes."
"Copy that."I ended the call then looked back at Wren and sighed.
“Who was that?”She didn’t move closer and still looked wary.
“Vittorio.He said to tell you he’s bringing Ghost.They’re coming for us.We just need to hold out for twenty minutes.”
“They aren’t on to us yet, are they?”
“No.But they will be.It’ll be close.”
Finally, she stepped closer.Close enough for her to place a hand on my chest above my heart."Who are you, Rocky?Who are you really?"
"I told you.I work for Vittorio Luca and his brothers.Have since we were kids."
"Doing what exactly?"Her eyes never left mine.
"Whatever they need me to.I went inside the Copperheads eight months ago to investigate their trafficking operation."
"Bullshit.You're holding back."She crossed her arms, the hoodie dangling from her fingertips."Ghost warned me the Copperheads play a long game.How do I know this isn't just another layer of deception?"
My patience thinned."Look, we don't have time for my life story.Twenty minutes before extraction.Maybe ten before Vex realizes I'm not actually torturing information out of you and comes looking."I stepped closer, close enough to catch her scent of leather and vanilla and something uniquely her."Everything I told you at the park about the girls, the trafficking, is true.There really is a transport coming in.I really am trying to stop it.And now my cover is likely blown.I don’t think this will stop the transaction, but it might make it more difficult to get close without alerting anyone.”
Suddenly, Wren’s expression looked lost and uncertain.“Is this my fault, Rocky?Did I do something wrong?”Wren wasn’t an indecisive person.
I pulled her into my arms, unable to bear the lost look in her eyes.“No, baby.None of this is your fault.And I will keep you safe.I will get you home safe and sound.I swear it.”
"And what about you?"
"I'll deal with the fallout."I checked the sat phone again.Fifteen minutes until extraction.
