"Rocky will coordinate with Marcus to lead the extraction team through the northeast entrance," Vittorio continued, tapping the area I'd identified earlier."That team moves first.Their only objective is getting as many girls out as possible before the main assault begins."
"After last night's incident," Vittorio said carefully, "we have to assume security might be heightened.Acid knows Rocky has connections outside the club now.Whether he suspects we’re here because of the girls or for something more mundane is anyone’s guess."
The planning continued.Until everyone felt we’d done all we could to plan.By the time we’d finished, it was past lunch.Which meant we had less than twelve hours.
"Any questions?"Vittorio asked, capping his highlighter with finality.
Ghost's voice cut through the momentary silence."Yeah.What happens after?"He looked directly at me, the question layered with meaning that had nothing to do with tactical extraction and everything to do with his daughter.
Before I could answer, Wren slid off her stool, drawing all eyes to her."After," she said firmly, "we deal with after.Right now, we all get some rest so we’re ready mentally and physically."
“There is no we, honey,” Ghost said smoothly.“You’re stayin’ right here.”
“I’m going to be watching every move going down from here with the rest who’ve been left behind.I can’t help out there, but I can help once you get these girls to safety.”
In that moment, she sounded so much like Ghost I almost smiled despite the tension crackling in the room.The apple hadn't fallen far from the tree, after all.
I slipped away as the meeting broke up, my head pounding from hours planning this thing.Ghost and Jack huddled with Vittorio near the bar, their voices low.Nobody noticed when I pushed through a door at the back of the clubhouse, finding an empty office tucked away from the main area.The room smelled like old paper and leather, with a hint of gunpowder.I dropped into the chair behind the desk, letting my head fall back as the weight of what waited for us tonight settled across my shoulders.
The door clicked open behind me.I straightened just before Wren's sweet scent hit me.She slipped inside and closed the door, leaning against it for a moment before flipping the lock.
"You okay?"she asked, her voice softer than it had been in the main room.
"Just needed a minute."I watched her cross the small space, her combat boots surprisingly quiet on the worn floorboards."You shouldn't be here, Wren.Your dad's gonna lose his shit."
She shrugged, perching on the edge of the desk, close enough that her knee nearly touched mine."He's lost it so many times this week, I don't think he has any shit left to lose."
That pulled a tired laugh from me despite everything.I looked up at her, taking in the purple hair falling across her eyes, the determined set of her jaw, the way she watched me with a mix of concern and something deeper I didn't dare put a name to.
“I’m sorry I hurt you, Wren.Sorry I put you in danger.Sorry I started things with you under false pretenses.”I reached for her hand but stopped myself, unsure if the contact would be welcome."I don't regret targeting you, though.I only regret not giving you the full truth from the outset so you could make your own choices.”
Wren surprised me by closing the distance herself, placing her hand over mine where it rested on the desk.Her fingers felt cool against my skin, grounding me in a way nothing else could.
"I hate that you put your operation at risk to save me," she said, her green eyes locked on mine, "but I really appreciate not dying."
A ghost of a smile crossed my face as my fingers turned to interlace with hers."I'd do it again in a heartbeat."
"I need you to focus on tonight.On getting those girls out, on getting yourself out in one piece."She leaned closer, her free hand coming up to brush against my jaw."I'll be here waiting when you get back.And if you get hurt, I may well kill you myself."
The fierceness in her voice made something in my chest twist.I turned my face into her touch, pressing my lips to her palm."I always knew you were dangerous."
"You have no idea," she murmured.
I pulled her closer, needing her warmth, her solidness, the proof that at least one thing in this fucked-up situation remained real and true.She came willingly, sliding from the desk into my lap, her arms wrapping around my neck.I buried my face in the curve where her shoulder met her neck, breathing her in.
"Tell me something," she said against my hair."If tomorrow goes exactly as planned, what happens after?."
The question hit a nerve I'd been avoiding."I don't know," I admitted."Vittorio might have another assignment waiting.He always does."
She pulled back enough to look at my face, her expression suddenly guarded."Another undercover job?"
"Maybe.It's what I do, Wren."
Something flashed in her eyes.Hurt, maybe?Or resignation."For how long?Another eight months?A year?More?"
I took her face in my hands, needing her to understand."This isn't just a job.These girls, what the Copperheads do to them...I've seen it up close.I can't walk away knowing there are more out there.I’m hoping Vittorio can find something I can do to help from the outside.I’ve still got my contacts in Nevada.That’s where most of our attention is focused right now."
"And us?"she asked, her voice dropping to nearly a whisper."Where do we fit into that crusade?"
