“All of this is my fault, though.” I choke out.
Freya sighs, then grabs me by my wrists, yanking me back to my feet. “You can blame yourself all you want, it won’t change the fact that we need you right now. Arlo needs you to do this. So, suck it up, get your head back in the game and focus. Or I will slap it out of you.”
“She’s right, you know,” Cove adds. “If anyone can do it Blair, it’s you. Not because we particularly like or trust you, but because Arlo does.”
That’s when it finally hits me. The amount of trust and respect these people put into Arlo is outstanding. They trust him wholeheartedly, and never dare to question any of his decisions. And those decisions include me.
With a sharp intake of breath, I straighten up. Freya’s right. There’s a time and place for everything, and the grief won’t disappear. If I have to force it to the deepest parts of me, I will. For the sake of the only man who ever loved me enough to show me just how worthy of love I am.
All for Arlo.
Everything for Arlo.
“Right,” I nod. “Then, you’re all going to do what I say. Cove, you’re on Raven duty. I don’t care how you go about finding him, just do it. And when you do, you’ll make sure he’s brought here in one piece.”
“Understood. Anything else?”
“Have Keith watch over Amy. If Raven’s the one who set her free the first time, he might try to do it again. Especially if he’s unaware that we know of his involvement.”
“Got it,” Cove nods. “Amy will be monitored twenty-four-seven. I’ll make sure they lower her food and water intake. Not enough to harm her, just to keep her weak.”
“Good, do that, and keep her tied to the bed. Until she’s completely healed, she should not be able to move from the damned bed, and if she does ask, then quite literally chain her, and she can take a walk in the room. In that case, make sure you have a few people in there. Don’t forget, just like Arlo, she’s a professional hitman. She’ll find a way out with any means necessary.”
“What do you want us to do?”
I glance at Jewel, who’s still very shocked by the entire ordeal, and clearly shaken up. “Jewel should sit this one out.”
That makes her eyes snap to mine. “What?! But—”
“No buts,” I interrupt. “You and Raven were close. You won’t be able to think rationally when you’re emotionally involved. Sit it out.”
Her jaw clenches, her hands fisting by her sides. She doesn’t protest, though, merely nodding and walking off. Freya glances at her wife, but decides against following her. Instead, she stays by my side.
“What do you need from me?” she asks.
“I don’t know just yet,” I sigh. “I’ll figure it out. For now, just be ready for when I inevitably call you.”
“Gotcha.”
Without another word, I pull my phone out, then walk into the corner of the room. My finger scrolls through the contact list, and although there’s not many contacts, there’s a very important one. I don’t hesitate before pressing the call button, then putting the device to my ear.
It only rings twice before she picks up.
“Kaya, I need you to come down here and I need you to come now.”
???
I pace back and forth inside of the small apartment, biting my thumb. My nerves are wrecked, my emotions are all over the place, and it’s been a fucking struggle not to trash and ruin the place. Instead, I cleaned it all up, top to bottom, every nook and cranny, while I waited for Kaya to arrive.
When she does show up, she doesn’t knock, or wait to be let inside. No, she just opens the door, strolls right inside, and slams it shut. Her heels are leather, reaching up her knees, and she’s wearing a pure white fur coat that’s almost reaching the floor. Yet, even with the insane weather outside, there’s not even a speck of dirt on the soft coat.
“I’m here,” she breathes out, taking the coat off and hanging it. “What was so urgent?”
“Hudson is dead.”
She blinks. “Excuse me?”
“You heard me, don’t make me repeat myself,” I finally stop pacing and sit down on the floor. Kaya, for whatever reason, chooses to sit across from me on the floor, instead of opting for the perfectly comfortable couch.
