Page 56 of Always Watching

My chest heaves as I watch the knife he’s so carelessly waving around. Who the fuck is Mr. Barlowe, and why is he so fixated on me?

Sniffling, barely able to keep my tears at bay, I ask, “Why are you doing this?”

“Don’t you know, Ranen? We belong together.”

Chapter 20

North

Isaid I wasgoing to call Dad, but I realize halfway outside that he isn’t the person I actually need in this situation. It’s funny, because I’ve been trying to avoid bringing Wylder into this any more than I already have—I definitely haven’t wanted to tell him any more about Ranen…

But there’s really only one way I’m going to be able to figure out exactly who the fucker after him is. It’s a favor I don’t want to ask, because I know it’s going to mean Wylder owingsomeone elsea favor, but at this point… I can’t do this anymore.

The asshole used his name.

He knows where he lives.

He knows exactly how Ranen looks when he’shurt…

And…

I’m in too deep.

I can’t control my emotions—I can’t keep on the mask that keeps Ranen from seeing exactly what kind of monster I am.

I need to know he’s safe. Ineedto have my hands around the neck of the motherfucker who keeps terrorizing him. It’s atwisting, dark emotion in my chest, and if I don’t sate it soon, I’m going to slip.

I’m going to break.

I scowl and flip off the creep who runs the apartment, as I go outside and take a few steps to the left so I can lean against the wall. I don’t like leaving Ranen alone, even if it’s only for a few minutes. From my position, I can watch the door and make sure no one untoward goes inside. It’s not perfect, but it’s the best I can do. I have to go outside, because I can’t risk Ranen hearing what I’m going to say.

And honestly, if I’d stayed in the apartment, I probably would have followed him into the shower and fucked him again.

Wylder answers on the second ring, and I can tell by his tone that he knows what this is about.

“You really do have it bad, huh?”

Fuck. What’s the easiest way to get what I want here?

“Yes,” I finally answer, and I hear him let out a breath like he didn’t think I’d actually be honest about it. “Wylder, listen… I need your help.”

I hate the tone of my voice, the way it sounds like it did when we were kids and I’d end up picking a fight with someone bigger than me. I was more than ready to slit their throat, but Wylder was always there to have my back, always there to make sure I didn’t make a mess I couldn’t clean up.

Maybe I missed him more than I thought I did.

“North…” His usually deep voice is softer than usual, and I’m not sure if it means he’s going to tell me to fuck off for my own good, or that he actually wants to help me. I wait silently for him to answer, and I think he’s actually trying to figure out which one it’s going to be too. “You know I’m always here when you need me, North.”

The relief that sweeps over me is almost instant, some of the tension running out of my shoulders and making me lean fully against the brick front of the apartment.

“Thank you. I just… I need you to figure out who’s after Ranen.”

There’s another moment of silence, and when Wylder answers this time, his voice comes out slower, unsure. “I mean… I can probably do about as much as you can. If you need someone to watch him while you hunt—”

“It’s not that.” I cut him off. “That’s the problem. This shit is virtual. I can’t just track him down as easily. I’ve tried. He covers his ass more than the other ones did… Wylder, I need you to find someone whocantrack him down if I give you access to Ranen’s profile.”

I know what I’m asking. Wylder knows what I’m asking. He has contacts, but in our world, nothing really comes for free.

“North…” He takes a breath and pauses, a low groan coming from his chest. “How important is this to you?”

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