Unsurprising. It was never going to be thateasy. They were stuck here, and Vesper couldn’t think of a single way they’d ever be able to leave safely. Not unless Cedar was somehow able to play off the roof incident, and get back in with her people…
Or unless Vesper and Bellamy went back and did… Well, Vesper couldn’t think of what they’d do, but it had to be better than waiting around here forever.
“Cedar, can you get back with your people? Maybe they could get us all out?” Vesper asked. She wasn’t hopeful but it was something, an idea.
“Why don’t you go,” Cedar snapped, clearly still upset that Vesper was siding with Bellamy.
Vesper rolled her eyes. “They’ll kill us.”
“Don’t go!” Cypress wailed. “You can’t die.” Tears slid down her cheeks already.
“I can try to do something,” Cedar started hesitantly. “I mean, I have resources. Contacts. I can ask for information.”
Vesper raised an eyebrow. “Youhave contacts?”
People in their line of work didn’t do contacts. The more people you knew, the more likely they were to be a victim in the next assignment. Honestly, Vesper had been lucky that none of the girls had ever been targeted.
“Yes,” Cedar snapped defensively. “I am not an assassin. Unlike you two, I don’t work alone. And I have people who like me.” She shot that last part at Bellamy, who, surprisingly, did not take the bait.
“Okay,” Vesper said after exchanging a look with Bellamy, who’d shrugged. She didn’t want to risk their lives either. “See what you can do. I guess in the meantime, we’ll wait here. Mazz has a spare room for me and Bel. You can stay with Cypress.”
Vesper pushed off her chair to get up. She was fucking exhausted, ready to be done for the day, and she didn’t think Cedar would hurt Cypress. Besides, even if Cedar tried, she wasn’t a fighter. And Vesper had taught the kid a few self-defense moves over the years, just in case she needed it. She wasn’t helpless.
“Wait, you’re leaving?” Cypress sniffled,grabbing Vesper’s hand but still not looking at her. Something Vesper was quite used to by now.
“I’ll be right next door. If you need anything, I’ll be here.” Vesper intended that to be a promise too. And a threat in case Cedar was biding her time. She didn’t think so, though, not after Cedar’s reaction to seeing Cypress again.
CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT
Vesper
To say she was relieved couldn’t even cover it. Vesper was beyond indebted to Mazz at this point—she’d never be able to pay her back. The spare room, the one Mazz hadn’t even charged them for, was fully furnished, cleaned, and ready to go when they entered. Vesper set their stuff down on the dresser.
She’d probably have to keep Bel away from the girls, even though nothing had happened when Bellamy snuck off. Who knew what the girls would say to Bellamy, let alone what Bel might do to them. She hoped it wouldn’t be too hard to keep them separate. Especially if Wisp had moved in, like Mazz warned. Fuck, that would be a nightmare. Vesper still didn’t even know why Bel had never mentioned she had a sister…
Vesper dug through her bag, looking for more comfortable—and clean—clothes. She needed a shower and—if she were lucky—to get some actual sleep before Bellamy started shit. It was coming. Bel had been too quiet, simmering. It wasn’t just Bellamy who’d been lying to protect Vesper for years. Maybe that meant they were even now…
Honestly, Vesper was just surprised Bel had held out for so long. Which meant it was entirely expected when Bellamy opened her mouth before Vesper had a chance to retreat tothe bathroom.
“So,” Bellamy started, plopping down on the bed behind Vesper. “Guess you can’t be mad with me anymore for keeping my secrets. You had a pretty massive one of your own.”
“Yeah, well, my secret wasn’t trying to get us killed.” Vesper rolled her eyes. Sure, logically she knew that some part of Bellamy’s statement was right. And yeah, technically Cedar was after them because of Vesper, but she didn’t want to think that this whole thing was her fault.
It’d been a long day, they had a lot to unpack, and Vesper had been blaming Bel for six years. It was a hard habit to knock.
“Your secret likes you,” Bellamy said accusatorially.
Vesper side-eyed her, like she had any control over that. “She’s a good kid.”
“Well, as she keeps reminding you, she’s not a kid.”
Vesper sighed, finally finding the pair of shorts she wanted. She turned to face Bellamy fully. “Just say what you mean, Bel.”
“Been down here to see her a lot.” Bellamy shrugged, picking at her pants. “Stashed her with the whores. Might give someone the wrong impression.”
Vesper shook her head.Seriously?Bellamy didn’t believe her aboutthat? She was so not in the mood for this right now. She was fucking exhausted. There was absolutely nothing going on with the kid. Without another word, she retreated to the bathroom, shutting the door in a fruitless attempt at privacy, and started running water for her shower.
“I’m just saying,” Bellamy said, appearing in the doorway. Vesper should’ve locked it, but some part of her knew that would only make things worse. “You liked Cedar. They look alike—sort of. Might’ve wanted to give the sister a try.”
