CHAPTER 20
Kendrick
Fuck.
Catcher.
Of all goddamn people.
What the hell kind of game was being played? While every aspect of the event had been unnerving, what troubled me was that I’d caught a sense of surprise in Catcher’s eyes. Perhaps Lucifer had used an entirely different test.
What pissed me off was the familiarity with which Catcher had laid his hands on Reese. There was a hell of a lot more to this story.
Even before she’d had a chance to tell me what he’d said or done, I made a call.
“Get the team together,” I barked into the phone. “Make certain Maverick is there. I don’t care what he’s doing, including fuckinga woman.” I couldn’t remember the last time I’d been so enraged.
“What the hell is going on?” Chase snapped back.
“We caught a break. And I think things might be getting a little dicey.”
“Well, shit. My house?”
I glanced into the rearview mirror, almost certain we were being followed. “Yeah. It might take me a little while. I need to lose a tail.”
“In case you haven’t noticed, my friend, it is after midnight. A few of us have lives spent in the daytime. Not like you night crawlers.”
“Very funny. Make certain your computer systems are spinning hard. And have a fingerprint kit ready. And where are those fingerprints from that lighter?”
Chase snorted. “Hold on. They should be popping through any time. Now you’re speaking my language. By the way, the sketches are starting to come back with hits. One girl wasn’t a runaway.”
“Then who are we talking about?”
“Janey Devonshire. Her father is Marvin Devonshire of Devonshire Holdings.”
“The largest land developer on the East Coast.” What the fuck.
“She was reported kidnapped two months ago.”
Exhaling, I glanced at Reese, who was shivering in the seat beside me. “What do you want to bet a former club member?”
“That’s what I’m thinking. Get here as soon as you can.”
“Will do.”
I tossed the phone onto the dashboard, noticing that Reese was stretching her neck, studying the traffic behind us. “Are we really being followed?”
“Black sedan four car lengths back.” I’d known instantly she’d recognized Catcher. While it was a surprise, it was not nearly as much of one as learning Maverick’s informant was on this elite board within the Privileged. Conspiracy theories were running rampant in my mind.
She slowly slunk into her seat, her hands folded in her lap. “You shouldn’t have punched him.”
“Yeah, I should have. He fucking assaulted you.” The moment I glanced at her, she looked away. Her lips were pursed and I could tell how rapid her pulse was by the labored rise and fall of her chest. “Are you going to tell me how you know him and his name?”
Her sigh was heavy and she shook her head. I could easily tell she was debating how much she wanted to share with me. Only her dilemma wasn’t about trusting me, but about something from her past. I could smell the anger furrowing deep within.
And the raw fear.
What in the hell had the man done to her?
