Dropping into the passenger seat, I watch in the rearview as they drop Andy inside. Karson speaks to the other two men for a moment, then slams the trunk. Kellen and Levi head back toward the warehouse as Karson gets into the driver’s seat. Without a word, he starts the engine,Drag meby Ashes to New blares from the speakers as we pull away from the property.
Resting my elbow against the window, I watch the road ahead of us. Calm washes over me and settles in my chest, and I let out a soft exhale.
Karson glances over at me.
“Are you sure you’re ready?”
I nod, my eyes never leaving the road.
“I’ve never been more sure of anything.”
His tattooed hand rests on top of my thigh, giving it a firm squeeze.
“Alright then.”
Six weeks ago I was left bleeding on the cold pavement. Left for someone to come and force me to live a life that was chosen for me. A life I’d rather die than be a part of.
Tonight I’m the one deciding how this ends.
In the weekssince the federal investigation started, Jack and Melissa have lost everything–money, friends, business partners, their security teams. Jack’s company was forced to shut downcompletely, and Melissa’s precious foundation is under more scrutiny than any of us anticipated.
But one thing they still have–for now–is their obnoxiously large house.
We pull up to the gates of the estate and Karson grabs his phone from the cup holder. The other line rings once before Slater answers.
“Kill it,” Karson says, his voice low and tight.
A second later, the green light on the keypad box at the abandoned guard shack flickers off, and the gates slowly creak open.
“System is offline,” Slater replies.
Karson hangs up and we move up the driveway slowly. It’s still dark outside–only about three-thirty in the morning. The house is shrouded in darkness. Even the moon refuses to shed light on the property, making it feel less like we’re approaching a home and more like we’re pulling up to a haunted house.
We step out of the Camaro and Karson pops the trunk, revealing a still-sleeping Andy. He hauls him out and tosses him over his shoulder.
“Show time,” Karson says, looking down at me. His free hand comes up and strokes the side of my neck. Closing my eyes, I lean into his touch for half a second. The front door opening breaks the moment.
We turn to find Cole standing just inside the threshold. As soon as the system was offline, he and the others got in through the back entrance.
“Get a room. We have shit to do,” he says with a grin before disappearing back inside.
“When this is over, remind me to kick his ass,” Karson says, low enough only I can hear.
Shaking my head, I rise on my toes and press a quick kiss to his lips. He adjusts Andy on his shoulder, and we head up the steps and into the house.
Maverick and Parker lead Jack and Melissa down the stairs into the entryway. Melissa tries to shrug Parker off while Jack moves in silence with Maverick’s gun pressed to the back of his skull. There’s no fear in Jack’s eyes. He’s still looking for a way out.
Not happening.
They reach the landing, and Parker releases Melissa.
“Get your hands off me. Do you know who I am?” she barks, smoothing out her nightgown.
“Hm. An evil bitch?” Parker shrugs, and steps around them. She heads toward me and squeezes my arm when she reaches my side.
“They’re all yours. I’ll be outside,” she says softly.
Melissa’s jaw drops when she finally sees me.
