That said, I won’t let Kenzie die.
Carnage won’t win this. I’m saving them both.
With the text handled, I return to my private office. Lila is safely here with Kri by her side.
To the bodyguard’s credit, she opted to stay with Lila, despite her being safe in these walls. The other Redleg guard is hanging out in the parking lot in case we need additional backup.
At first, I thought they were trying to get a few more dollars out of me by adding some billable hours. I no longer believe that.
While I was channeling a Formula 1 driver, Romero got a tad chatty with Kri and Lila. It started innocently with his mention of our team being pulled in a hundred directions. And when heaccidentallymentioned the STK brotherhood, Kri refused to leave. It seems Redleg has tangoed with the gang before.
My pride insists we don’t need assistance from civilian contractors, but my need to protect Lila and save my sister demands I accept her offer. On the plus side, Lila isn’t sitting alone in here.
She stands as I enter the office, her hands fidgeting at her waist and her eyes alight with hope. “Did you find her?”
“Not yet, cookie.”
Her expression loses all traces of optimism, making my heart ache. Unable to resist, I wrap her in an embrace. She trembles against me.
From over the top of Lila’s head, I trade glances with Kri. She leans toward my office door, brows raised in question.
“No. Stay,” I tell her.
I kiss Lila’s forehead and release her. “I came here to check on you. I need to get back to work now. We’ll find her. I swear. Are you okay?”
“Don’t worry about me.” She wipes her cheeks, her big brown eyes glimmering at me. “Is there anything I can do to help before we go to meet Silas?”
I don’t bother correcting her reference to his name, but I can’t let the rest of her statement slide.
“No.” I tenderly grab her upper arms and lower my head to her eye level. “And you aren’t going. We aren’t trading you for Kenzie.”
This sweet soul honestly seems shocked by my decree. “Why not?”
“We only told him that to buy time. Not a fucking chance am I sending you anywhere near him.”
“We originally planned for me to meet with him while wearing a wire, and I’m still game. I won’t abandon her, regardless of how furious I am with her.”
It seems Lila’s got balls as big as Carnage. Can’t believe she would still be up for that.
The thread of patience I had frays rapidly. “It isn’t happening, Lila.”
Her pleading turns to stubborn determination. “Is that your decision to make? What about my agreement? I’m supposed to serve him to you on a silver platter.” She edges around me, angling for the door. “Where’s your boss?”
With one wide step, I block her exit. “Stop it.” My voice turns acidic. “You’ve already done enough to uphold your deal. Don’t worry about charges. Get the idea of ever seeing that monster again out of your head.”
She crosses her arms and taps her foot, radiating defiance. “I don’t give a damn about the charges. I’m the one who sent Kenzie out of your condo. And I’ll save her. I won’t lose another sister. Estranged or not.”
Shit. I see what’s happening here.
I need to nip this guilt cycle in the bud.
Inside my chest, the blazing obstinance snuffs out almost instantly.
Releasing a protracted exhale, I gesture toward the chair. “Sit down,please. I need to tell you something about Kenzie.”
Lila picks up on my change in demeanor, her posture loosening. She takes a seat, keeping her eyes on mine. “Is she...?dead?”
I kneel beside her chair and grab her hand. “No, cookie. She isn’t.” One more stalling breath, then I deliver the news. “We suspect Kenzie is involved with the crime ring. We found her ongoing communications with?—”
