Page 52 of The Editor’s Choice

Hours later, we’ve done everything we can do. Adding longer screws to the door latches and hinges so they can’t be kicked in nearly as easily. Double checking the locks on the windows. Updating the security system. Placing handguns with extra ammo where they’ll be easy to get to when they’re needed.

I sent Jade to bed when she wasn’t able to hold her eyes open anymore, regardless of the attempt she was giving it. She’s a trooper for sure. But being dead on her feet when they come won’t be doing any of us any favors.

Restless, I tick through every tiny detail over and over again in my head, looking for anything that might give us an advantage. I’m still coming up empty. I trained the guy, but he’s nothing like he was all those years ago. There was very little moral compass then, but that’s gone now from what I’ve heard.

Scrubbing my hands through my hair hard enough I think it may pull some of it out by the roots, I release the pent-up frustration in a massive sigh as I push to my feet.

Pulling my shirt over my head, I turn the shower on to warm up as I step out of my pants and peel off my socks before tossing them into the basket in the corner.

Lathering and scrubbing my body, I beg my mind to quiet. I’ve got to get some rest if I’m going to be able to bring my A game tomorrow, and that’s nonnegotiable.

I towel dry my hair and body before slipping on my boxers and sliding into bed behind her. Instantly, her warmth envelops me, reminding me that the world isn’t always such a cold and miserable place. There’s still happiness to be found here and there.

And that’s worth dying for.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Jade

Forcing my eyes to open against the bone-crushing exhaustion, I take in my surroundings. It takes a few seconds to remember I’m still in Roman’s apartment instead of mine. The soft light filtering in past the curtains means it must still be fairly early.

Relaxing back against the mattress, I snuggle closer against him, relishing the feel of his skin against mine. I must have slept like a rock last night considering I don’t even remember him coming to bed.

With building frustration, I give up on getting comfortable and falling back asleep. It’s no use. Today is too important and I’m feeling anxious already. Cain’s plans are set to go down today at some point. God only knows when that’s going to happen and it’s got me on edge.

Uncurling myself from his body, I slip out of bed without waking him. He’s going to need all the rest he can get to get through today.

Quietly, I make my way to the kitchen to start a pot of coffee, doing my best to be as silent as a church mouse. Sara and Finn both ended up crashing here last night. We all decided it was for the best, just in case the attack came first thing this morning. Better to be safe than sorry.

Just as the coffee finishes brewing, Sara sits down at the island, laptop in front of her. She looks at me through sleepy eyes before ducking her head and getting to work. I place a cup of steaming coffee down beside her, which she receives with a tight smile.

With just a nod, I head for the living room, needing a few minutes to myself. My head is spinning with thoughts of everything that has happened over the last day or two and it’s taking every ounce of willpower I’ve got to keep myself from coming apart at the seams. And that would be detrimental to everyone here, not just myself.

After scanning through the videos from last night, as well as dropping into the live feed in the warehouse, Sara closes her laptop, tiptoeing over to face me.

“I’m going to go home for a bit. Get a shower and some clothes. I’ll reopen the feed when I get there just in case anything happens. I’m assuming whatever he’s planning will be a little later in the day since nobody has been in the warehouse since late yesterday evening. It would take a while for everybody to get gathered up and set anything in motion.”

Nodding my agreement, I stand and walk her to the door, closing and locking it behind her. Leaning my back against it, I take in the depth of the situation I’ve landed myself in.

Not me. Emily. Before the blood has time to begin boiling yet again, I push off the door, hellbent on being productive instead of living in the past any longer. Being pissed at a dead girl isn’t going to save my life.

Finn is the next to rise as the aroma of bacon and biscuits floats through the air, no doubt interrupting his sleep.

His hair is a mess on top of his head, clothes wrinkled from sleep, but he couldn’t seem to care less. The lazy smile that covers his face is nothing short of charming. It’s no wonder people seem to connect with him so easily, myself included. But there’s something simmering beneath that friendly surface. Something cold and deadly. In less than a second, the image passes, leaving me with the charming man in front of me, taking the coffee I’ve poured and offered to him, as well as the plate of breakfast.

“Thank you for everything, Finn,” I say, wincing at how ridiculous and lackluster the words sound. He’s done so much for a total stranger in such a short period of time. I don’t have the words to truly convey how much it means to me.

“Not a problem, princess,” he says, winking at me while taking a bite of bacon.

“I mean it. Nobody has ever done what you’ve done for me. Well, except Roman, obviously,” I say with a small smile.

“Well god I would hope not! That would mean you’ve been in this god forsaken situation before and that would just be kind of fucked up,” he says with a chuckle. “Seriously though,” he says, taking on a more controlled tone now. “It’s nothing he wouldn’t have done for me. If you’re important to him, you’re important to me.”

I nod, not sure what else to say as the moment hangs awkwardly between us. As if on cue, Roman shuffles into the kitchen, eyes bouncing between the two of us before raising an eyebrow.

Ducking out of the room to steal a moment to myself, I make my way back to the bathroom to freshen up and prepare for the day as best I can.

Turns out, there was nothing to prepare for. Literally nothing happened during the course of the day. Sara came back over in a couple hours, telling us how there had been no meeting at any point. In fact, the warehouse had remained entirely empty all morning.