Page 95 of H E R

I move to press my back against the wall and stand next to Charles. I feel like he wouldn’t risk his neck for me and he’d abandon me in a second. But I also know he would never be able to face Piper if he didn’t retrieve the USB before fleeing. His eyes dart between the man in the suit and Dylan, as if taking mental notes. I watch them and do just that.

Dylan stands at least five inches taller and he’s packed with lean muscle. The man, however shorter, is built like a fucking rock. I imagine he’s in charge because he doesn’t wear tactical gear and looks completely out of place. His hair is perfectly coiffed, suit expensive and tailored to fit like a glove. An almost bored yet commanding expression on his chiseled face. He’s an older man, maybe ten years Dylan’s senior.

Dylan moves to stand in front of us, and I’m forced to move slightly to my left to still have the man in the suit in my vision.

“They’re the reason we got this far.”

“And they are…who,exactly?”

Dylan shakes his head. “None of your business, Mike.”

The man, Mike, nods, and lets out a soft, nonchalant chuckle. “Okay, Dylan. Get them out of here before the feds arrive.”

Dylan faces me and I can’t read his blank expression. It fills me with worry and a million uncertainties bubble within.

“What about them?” I point behind me to the prisoners, who are finally being escorted out of their cell.

“They’ll be safe now,” Mike interrupts whatever Dylan was about to say. “I can’t wait to thank you in a more appropriate setting for your dedication to bringing this case to an end.”

“It isn’t over,” Charles mumbles, but I don’t think Mike hears.

“That’s unnecessary,” I say. I don’t really want to officially make his acquaintance and I get the feeling Dylan doesn’t either.

“Nevertheless, we’ll meet againsoon, I hope.”

“I hope not,” I admit, and he laughs once more. That single calm and collected chuckle of his.

Dylan covers my body with his and presses his lips to my temple. “Come on, little fox. Time to go.”

“Oh, and Dylan?” We all turn to Mike as if his call was forus–a united front, a team. “Any other material collected during the assignment, something of note?”

Dylan holds me closer. “No, nothing.”

Although his tone and delivery is confident, secure, and everything else Dylan is, the USB weighs heavy against my skin, practically burning a hole and searing itself to my rib. But I’m not saying shit. This USB belongs to Piper, and I’m not breaking my promise to her.

34

Redemption

“So, when are you going to tell Justice?”

I clear my throat and tug on my earlobe. Jason’s voice echoes in my head and bounces off a few scenarios that lie in wait. Which one will win? What will be my little fox’s reaction?Fuck, I gotta tell her. I don’t want to, not after everything she’s been through. I can tell she’s exhausted and that all she wants to do is reunite with her family and bask in the comfort of knowing they’re all safe. But if I don’t tell her, she’ll slice my balls off for assuming I have the right to keep shit from her. Even if the unknown will keep her safe.

I clear my throat. “There’s a situation you need to know about before we get you home.”

Niki turns to me as if the wordhomerefers to a place that is unknown to me, and I wonder if she was hoping to head out to her ranch instead of the trailer. Her curiosity quickly absolves any and all her thoughts. She’s changed into baggy gray sweats, a t-shirt, and Chucks. Apparently Olivia had thought about a wardrobe change, and she made sure to stock the getaway van with bags for a change of clothes for everyone but myself. A getaway van that no one bothered to tell me about, by the fucking way.

Niki sits next to me. Her best friend directly across, while my cousin argues with the driver about which route is the best one to take to avoid the late night traffic. Charles sits quietly, staring out of the window. He looks dazed and bored, but I know he has an ear on every little thing in his surroundings.

“Just tell her already.” Jason’s voice rings again and I rip the earpiece out, then stuff it in my pocket.

A strangled look crosses Niki’s features. “Jule?”

“No! Jule is fine. He’s great, actually. Jason had him picked up, and he’s at Liv’s house now.”

Her brows knit together. “Why was he… what’s going on?”

“Noah was, uh…” I swallow. Had I anticipated Noah being an even bigger idiot than he already was, perhaps this wouldn’t have happened. “Apprehended.”

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