Page 87 of Abundance of Obsession

No. If that were the case, he wouldn't be having this conversation. I'm sure of it. He never talks on the phone when I'm around.

“Transport confirmed. Friday at 10 p.m.”

His words are so quiet I’m not sure I heard correctly. But I can’t be wrong.

Friday, 10:00 p.m.

What’s going to happen on Friday? What kind of transport is this?

A quiet growl escapes his throat. He’s unhappy. “No fucking way. Prepare Terminal Four.” He pauses and listens for a moment. “Because I said so. The container has to be seized before the ship sails.”

Terminal Four.

Container.

Ship.

Transport.

“Don’t ask questions that could get you killed. I said, get everything ready. Now get to work.”

I’m breathing deeply to keep myself from being discovered. Damien can’t suspect I heard that call. He can’t know.

Silence reigns. He has hung up.

With his other hand, he strokes my head.

I’m trying with all my might not to give myself away. I think I’m managing it.

A short while later, we pull up in front of my building.

“Lily… my love. We’re here,” he says. His thumb runs down my cheek. He gives me a gentle shake.

I wake up and rub my eyes. I’m sleepy. For his sake. And for my safety.

My gut tells me this is something big.

Whatever that means.

Chapter 22

Eli

“How the fuck did you come to the wise idea of robbing me?” Ryker’s voice is sharp and icy, just like his favorite knife.

He’s leaning over the desk, hands resting on the surface. Tense all over. Ready to pounce.

On the other side, Rowan Blane kneels. A man in his forties, a businessman, a member of the Pact. A customer of the underground casino in Feather. Not a happy customer, I might add.

“I didn’t do anything!”

He looks at Ryker with contempt. The guy’s got guts. Especially for a guy on his knees.

All it takes is for my brother to glance for a second at Dave, the bouncer. In a flash, Dave is by Rowan’s side and slams a fist into his jaw.

That must have hurt. Even watching it hurts. That’s why I’m rubbing my jaw right now, as if I were the one who took the punch.

Meanwhile, Rowan staggers and falls to the side.