“You’re coming with me.Right?”That sounded more like my Wren.
“Only if Vittorio says so.”
“He’d make you go back to the Copperheads?Even if your cover’s blown?”
“No, baby.Vittorio is my family like Ghost is yours.He’ll help us both and we’ll take care of everything.”
The phone vibrated in my hand and I glanced at the screen.“They’re five minutes out.We need to move to the back entrance.Stay quiet, stay close."
Wren nodded, all business now despite the questions still burning in her eyes.I shouldered the bag, checked the window one last time, then moved to the door and paused.
"Wren?"
She looked up, face half-hidden by the hoodie she’d pulled over her head."What?"
"For what it's worth, I never lied about what I felt for you."The words tumbled out before I could stop them, raw and honest in a way I rarely allowed myself to be.
Her expression softened for a fraction of a second before hardening again."Save it for when we're not about to die.I'll decide then if I believe you."
Fair enough.I pulled the door open a crack, checking the hallway.Clear.We slipped out, the door closing silently behind us.
Chapter Fourteen
Rocky
Thefiveminutesstretchedinto an eternity as Wren and I huddled in the shadows of the service entrance.Every passing car sent my pulse skyrocketing, fingers twitching toward the gun at my waist.I normally didn’t react this badly to a stressful situation.Hell, before now, nothing had been remotely stressful unless I was actively in a situation where I could die.I didn’t care much for myself.But the thought of Wren being here when Vex came back with Acid — and both menwouldbe on the way here — nearly gave me a panic attack.
Wren stood close enough that I felt the heat radiating off her body, but the emotional distance between us might as well have been the fucking Grand Canyon.I kept my gaze locked on the road, scanning for any sign of Vittorio's promised backup while also watching for Copperheads.The night air carried the scent of exhaust and rain on wet asphalt.A storm brewed both in the sky and between us.
"How much longer?"Wren whispered, her voice tight with tension.
"Soon," I murmured, resisting the urge to check my watch again."Stay behind me if anything happens."
I glanced at her and Wren shot me a look that could have stripped paint."I can handle myself."
"Never said you couldn't, sweetheart."I kept my voice low, turning my attention back to the road."But these guys shoot first and don't bother with questions later."
The distant hum of a vehicle cut through the night, growing louder with each passing second.Traffic in this part of town at this time of night tended to be light so the vehicle had to be either the cavalry, or we had unpleasant company on the way.
I tensed, hand moving to my weapon.I needed to see the vehicle before I assumed help had arrived.My phone buzzed in my back pocket.
“Check my phone,” I whispered to Wren, not wanting to take my focus from the street.
She pulled out my phone and I felt her fingers trembling.
“They’re pulling up.Black Bronco.”She grabbed my shirt, bunching it in her fist."Is it them?Did Vittorio send us help?"
I nodded, relief flooding my system even as a new tension replaced it."Yes.Tuck your hand in the waist of my pants and don’t let go unless I tell you."
The black SUV sped in our direction, headlights cutting through the darkness.I recognized the driver when the vehicle skidded to a halt.Marcus Longmire, Vittorio's right-hand man, his imposing figure unmistakable even inside the vehicle.
The distant roar of motorcycle engines growing louder with each passing second had me tensing.Wren started to move past me to the Bronco, but I pressed her against the wall.
“Don’t move from behind me until I tell you, Wren.”Thankfully, she obeyed.
Seconds later, three bikes roared through.Two rolled on past, the other stopped behind the Bronco.Ghost sat on his Harley like he dared anyone to challenge him or his club.His expression was hard and mean as he scanned the area.After a moment, he looked at us across the street and held my gaze for several seconds.He looked back at the Bronco, then down the side street next to us.A few seconds later he looked back at me and nodded.
I stepped forward, deliberately positioning myself between Wren and the building.Something caught my eye.Three Copperhead guards had emerged from the shadows, hands hovering near their weapons.
