“His contacts are from the death ring that involved Sophie?” I guess, getting right to the point, because I need to get to Leeva.
“I see you have some insight already.”
Urgency buzzes through me with every second that I’m not with Leeva, but I force myself to remain calm because Len is obviously here for a reason.
I study my friend. She’s always been closed off, but there’s a dark energy coming from her. “So when your team and Creed killed the crew that had taken Sophie, that wasn’t the end of it?”
“Didn’t even scratch the surface.” Her look turns lethal, and her fists clench. “When we took them out, we only prevented Sophie from being delivered to the Shadow Ringmasters. From the intel we dug up since then, they’re the sick bastards who go around and pick up all the people captured for this fucked-up ring.”
“Are you here to help? If Guerilla is connected to this same ring—”
“I can’t stay.” She glances at Jones, who is motionless beside her, his bearded face cold and hard, before she looks back at me. “Going on that kamikaze mission.”
It suddenly clicks.
“Fuck.” I hiss air through my teeth. “You’re going after this death ring.”
“It’s calledla morte.” Italian for death. “And I’m not going after it; I’m infiltrating it. I’m going to try and implode it from the inside.”
I stare at her in shock. I know she’s had a death wish since watching Nile get slain, but this?
“Len, this is adeathring.”
“I know. I’ll be fighting for my life—forced to kill to survive. But it’s the quickest way to take this ring down.”
My eyes bounce between her and Jones, understanding even though I don’t understand everything. “He’s going with you.”
“He’ll be my owner.”
What thefuckdoes that mean, and what the hell is this ring?
She holds out her hand, revealing a small USB. “This is what Digits will need to upgrade his system, so his tech is better than the stuff Guerilla has access to from thela mortering.” When I take it, she grips my hand. “It was an honor to serve with you, soldier.”
“For fuck’s sakes, Len,” I rasp, but I grip her hand tight. “You fucking survive this death ring, Lenna. That’s a goddamn order.”
Her lip curls into a small, crooked smile. “I don’t take orders…not anymore.”
“Len.” I nearly choke, thinking this is the last time I’ll see my friend. “There’s got to be another way.”
“Nothing as fast as this.”
“Nile wouldn’t want this.”
Pain lances her expression. “Nile is dead and in the ground.”
“He wouldn’t want you to join him. He’d want you to live and do good.”
“This is me doing good.” She shakes her head, and I know her mind is set, and I don’t have the time to try to change it. “I don’t know Guerilla’s intent, but I’m fairly confident he doesn’t plan to give Leeva to the ring, but to use her wealth to buy a membership.”
She motions to the USB in my hand. “That also contains what we know about the structure and hierarchy of the ring. It’s complex and sophisticated, with the leaders being well-protected. Take care of yourself, Hayes Cartwright, and live the rest of your life loving the woman you loved at first sight.”
Then Len, being Len, turns on her heel and walks out.
Jones watches me, rubbing his thumb over his bottom lip. He holds out his other hand, which holds a cell phone.
“As Len’s owner, I’ll be tested and watched closely until they trust me. But having a contact with someone on the outside who’s a criminal shouldn’t raise too many flags. I’ll contact you on this cell.”
“Len has a connection to me,” I argue, still reeling in shock that this is happening, but I take the cell phone from him. “That could raise their suspicion if your contact on the outside is me.”
