Ghost looked between Jack and Honey, his jaw working as he processed their words.Finally, his shoulders dropped slightly—not surrender, but strategic retreat."Fine," he spat the word like it tasted bad.
He turned to me, stabbing a finger in my direction."You hurt her again, they won't find enough pieces to bury."
I nodded once."Understood."
Honey smiled, squeezing Jack's arm, smiling up at him and mouthing a “thank you” before moving back to Wren."Come on," she said, linking arms with her friend.She jerked her head, indicating I should follow.
We wound through the main building and out a back door, crossing a gravel yard toward a separate structure.The night air felt electric with tension, each step crunching loudly in the silence.Wren walked stiffly beside Honey, their heads bent together in whispered conversation I couldn't catch.
They led me to an apartment and stopped by the door.“I’ll check in with you in an hour,” Honey told Wren.“If you don’t text me back, I’ll send Jack and Ghost so make sure the thing’s on and the volume’s up.”
Wren opened the door and stepped inside, looking back over her shoulder and jerking her head for me to follow.Before Wren closed the door, Honey addressed me.“If you're playing her, I'll personally help Ghost get rid of whatever’s left of your body."
"If you think I’m playing her, why did you fight for me to have time with her now?"I had to know.If anyone had sway with Wren it would be this woman.
Honey didn’t hesitate.“Because I don’t think you’re playing her.I think you care about her as much as she cares about you.”
Honey shut the door as she left and the lock clicked behind her.Which left Wren and me truly alone for the first time since everything exploded between us.I had to fight my entire soul not to pull her into my arms and hold her as tightly as I could.
Instead, Wren moved to the kitchenette, putting physical distance between us.She leaned against the counter, arms crossed protectively over her chest.The harsh overhead light caught the purple strands in her hair, making them gleam like neon.
The silence stretched between us, thick and charged.Wren stood across the room, her body rigid with tension, green eyes fixed on me with an intensity that burned.I waited, letting her dictate how this would go.The clock on the microwave blinked its red numbers, marking seconds that felt like hours.When she finally spoke, her voice cracked slightly, betraying the emotion she fought to hide behind anger.
"You used me," she said, each word sharp enough to draw blood.
I stepped forward, stopping when she flinched back against the counter."It started that way," I admitted, running a hand through my hair."But it became something else real fuckin’ fast.And I never intended to sleep with you.Not as a means to an end."
A bitter laugh escaped her lips."Do I even know your name?Is it Rocky?"
"Silvester Russo.People’ve always called me Rocky.That part happened to be true."
"And the Copperhead patch?The phone calls about trafficking girls?What the fuck, Rocky?"The way she spat my name felt like a slap.
I moved to the couch, needing to sit before my legs gave out.I’d seen first hand what condition those women would be in when they got to the club.I’d done my best to help that first group and I’d do my best by this group, too.But the memory of it…
The cushion sagged beneath my weight, springs creaking in protest."I infiltrated the Copperheads eight months ago on Vittorio's orders.The trafficking operation exists.Everything I told you about that, about the shipment coming in—all true."
"So you approached me, fucked me, all for what?Information?"Her voice rose, hands clenching into fists at her sides."A convenient way into Bound in Blood?How does one fit with the other?"
"No!"I stood again to pace.“I never had any intention of learning about Bound in Blood.Dario and Jack have a loose alliance.Dario’s got all the information he needs.Vittorio suggested I make friends with you as an emergency exit strategy if things went south with the Copperheads.Nothing more.It was never even discussed for me to do anything more than befriend you—"
"So you needed a way out," she finished, eyes flashing.“Same difference.Either way I’m just another tool in your undercover toolkit."
"That ain't what happened and you know it," I growled, moving toward her."The first time I saw you at that Valentine's Ball, it had nothing to do with anything other than me wanting you.End of story."
Wren pushed off from the counter, closing the distance between us."And that makes it better?That you wanted to fuck me before you decided to use me?"
Yeah, I wasn’t gonna win this argument.Honestly, I got it.“I’m sorry, Wren.I would rather have been caught red handed and tortured to death than have hurt you the way I know I did.I don’t care if you believe anything else.If I were you I probably wouldn’t believe me either.So I really do get it.Just, please believe me about this.I never want you to hurt.But especially not for me.”
“I saw how easily you slipped into that role tonight, threatening me, manhandling me like I was a thing."
"I saved our lives," I shot back."If I hadn't played along with Vex, we'd both be dead in that park right now.You think I enjoyed any second of that?"
"How am I supposed to believe anything you say, Rocky?You're a professional liar!It's literally what you do for a living."
"Then why are you here?"I challenged, stepping into her space."Why not let Ghost put that bullet in my skull like he wants to?Or just refuse to talk to me no matter what Honey said.You’ve never had a problem expressing your wishes.”
"Because I need to know!"She shoved against my chest with both hands, hard enough that I stumbled back a step."I need to know if any of it meant anything to you or if I'm just the stupid girl who fell for your act!"
