Page 29 of Broken Promises

“Talk to Riley,” he said firmly. “She’s been hiding my car and phone for me until I could come back.”

“She fucking knew all of this shit?” I snapped, but he shook his head.

“No, she just knew I was returning. Please. Ask her.”

I stared at him for a second before nodding, wanting to punch him again, but finding myself pulling him in for a tight hug. “I missed you, you prick.”

He chuckled, hugging me back. “Missed you too, bro. I’ll go after Raven. You get back to the compound where it’s safe.”

I wanted to argue, to say I was staying with Raven too, but I knew she'd just run off if I did that. I needed her safe, and something told me Ander would die before letting harm come to her.

It was a gamble to leave her in his hands, but I didn’t really have a choice.

I glanced down the road to where Raven was still walking, hanging my head a little. “Fine. Keep her safe.”

“Always. I’ll be in touch, but we have to be careful. Stefano can’t know I’m back yet. I need to catch him off guard,” he warned, waiting for me to nod before he stepped back. “Good. Be careful what’s said over text. Stefano has his own tech guys.”

He climbed back into his car and started the engine, leaving me standing there in disbelief that he was really in front of me. I felt a little better when he crept along beside Raven, obviously trying to convince her to get in, and after a second, she did as she was told and got in the car.

“What the fuck was that?” Drake called out as Ander drove off.

“Honestly? I have no fucking idea. Let’s head back to the compound before I get my ass shot or something,” I grumbled, sliding into the back seat.

Cruz turned, showing me his laptop. “We can track them as far as possible with the cameras. Might narrow down where they are.”

“It can only be a few places. My money’s on the Heights,” I replied with a sigh as Drake started the car. “While I’m already risking my life out here, can we stop for burgers? I’m starving.”

Drake agreed, but Cruz raised an eyebrow. “Are you going to tell Logan and Reid about Ander?”

“Not yet. Let’s eat first so we can talk it over before doing anything.”

It killed me to not follow Raven, especially now I knew she’d been hurt again.

I was going to have to convince her to let me stay with her at Ander’s. It was the only way I could keep an eye on both of them.

CHAPTER SIX

ANDER

Ididn’t think it was going to be so hard to see Zavier and walk away from him. Part of me wanted to invite him to stay at my house too, but then Raven would’ve fucked off on both of us and gotten herself killed.

I liked her defiance, it made my dick hard, but she’d been through enough bullshit lately, so forcing her to face Zavier when she obviously wasn’t ready to was a bad idea.

She was angry with him because of me, so it was up to me to repair the damage.

I loved him, he was my platonic soulmate, and seeing him hurting because of me sucked.

I kept an eye on our surroundings as I drove home, noticing that Raven didn’t make a move to climb out when I parked in the garage.

“Penny for your thoughts,” I offered, not expecting the little demon to start swinging at me.

“Why did you tell him?” she shouted, her knuckles connecting with my cheek. She was pissed, trying to hit me again, and a better man would’ve just let her get it out.

I wasn’t that man though.

I grabbed her flailing arms and tightened my hand around both wrists, grabbing her chin firmly with my free hand to push her back until her head smacked against the window.

“Are you fucking finished?” I asked in a low tone, her eyes flashing with anger at being restrained.

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