Page 137

They disappear outside, and I turn my attention to Charlotte. My palm rests against her cheek, and she melts into my touch, her eyes closing. “You found us,” she breathes.

“I did.”

“How?”

A slight grin pulls at my lips. “I put a tracker in Squish.”

She rolls in her bottom lip, her eyes glancing down. A fresh wave of tears washes over her, escaping down her face.

“Hey.” I brush my thumb across her skin, wiping away each one. “What is it?”

“He…” Her eyes meet mine. “He put a tracker in me… That’s how he found me.” She sobs harder, her shoulders shaking.

I blink a few times, a new release of rage simmering beneath my surface. “He did what?”

“I want it out,” she whispers, fighting through tears. “Please, Alex. I want it out!” She collapses into my chest. “Please.”

“I promise we’ll get it taken care of.” I smooth a hand down the back of her head. “I’m so sorry, baby.”

Fucking. Fuck. Fuck!

This whole time he’s been tracking her!

And I had no idea.

I want to punch a hole in the goddamn wall.

But I can’t. Not yet, anyway.

I take a deep breath and press my lips to the top of her head. “I’ll get it out.”

She nods against my chest. “Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me, Fiorellina.” I wrap both arms around her, brushing my lips over her ear. “I will always do anything and everything for you.”

A gurgling noise has us both looking behind me.

Blood dribbles out of the corner of Garrett’s mouth down his chin as he stares at us, his eyes hovering on the edge of death.

“Path…etic,” he gasps, coughing out more blood.

Charlotte pulls back from me and stands, her attention fixed on him.

I stand beside her. “Don’t worry.” I cup her cheek, brushing my thumb across her skin. “I’ll take care of him and show him no mercy.”

“Alex?”

“Yes?”

She turns her head toward me, her eyes meeting mine. “Can I do it?”

I hesitate, my brows furrowing together. “Are you sure?”

She nods. “I’ve never been more certain of anything.”

I see the truth in her eyes.

She’s ready for this.