Alex was a stoic guy. He didn’t talk much in the vehicle, which I appreciated. I hadn’t dealt with family in a long time; it was overwhelming, and the silence was welcomed.
He pulled up alongside the laundromat and held out his hand. “I gotta put the boss’s number in your phone.”
I didn’t make a fuss. He entered it and smirked. “I texted him, so he has yours as well.”
“Why the hell would you do that?”
He shrugged. “’Cause I can.”
I looked at the text he sent:I am Batman.
“Very funny.”
He got out of the SUV and observed the area. I didn’t give him a chance to open my door; I was capable.
“Thanks for the ride.”
“Hold up, I gotta go in with you.”
“Uh, no, you don’t.” I strode up to my building.
“Boss’s orders.”
“He’s not my boss, so you can tell him I wouldn’t let you in.”
He quirked a brow. “Let me?” Alex was huge, very imposing—no question he could overpower anyone.
“Fucking hell. Fine, come look.”
He trekked up the stairs in front of me, waited until I opened my apartment door, and made me wait while he secured the space…his words.
“Am I good? Is my fern acting shady?” I slapped a light on in time to see Alex slip his gun back in his holster.
“You’re good. Don’t open up for anyone.”
I motioned for him to leave. “I’ve been living my life just fine on my own.”
He was about to leave when he rounded on me. “You don’t know what you’re dealing with here, and I guess that makes sense since this isn’t a world you’re familiar with. Well, I am, Mr. Hendrix is, and you’d do well to understand that if Lorcan Anders wants your head on a platter, help might arrive too late.”
“If you’re trying to scare me, it won’t work.”
“Not scare, warn.” With that, he left.
I shut and locked the door. I moved to the window and peeked up and down the street. It was quiet. I saw Alex get into the SUV and drive off.
Yeah, I was gonna pack up tonight and get the hell out of Northchester first thing in the morning.
CHAPTER TEN
Gideon
I was once againin a freezing-cold warehouse but this time, tied to a chair, was one of Anders’s men. Danny had seen him lurking at the docks a couple of days after we’d infiltrated Lorcan’s guys trying to fuck up my shit.
He was stubborn; Danny had at least four knives in the guy’s body, his face looked like hamburger, and he was shaking with fear—or cold, I wasn’t sure.
“This can all end.” I cocked my head and lit a cigar, savoring the moment smoke hit my lungs. “Just tell me Lorcan’s upcoming plans, and Danny stops playing.”
He only had one good eye and it was trained on Danny, who was grinning as he spun a scalpel.
