Page 101 of Inside the Wicked

Adam says, “That place is surrounded with surveillance and still housekept. Someone is bound to see you.”

“I’ll be careful, or if they do see me, I’ll be out of there before they can contact anyone. Rhett can’t come with me, and you know he will. If I do get caught, he can’t be seen, or my little rebellion against my dad will be the least of our problems.”

Rix contemplates. He knows I’m right, but he’s also right that Rhett will be furious to find me gone.

“I’ll go with you,” Adam says, pushing off the desk.

I nod and Rix groans, running a hand down his face.

“You’d better be back as close to him coming out as you can. I won’t be able to stop him coming after you.”

He reaches into a drawer and keys rattle as he pulls them out. Adam reaches for them, but Rix snatches his hand back, cutting him a look.

“Ana drives. I don’t trust you in my baby.”

“Why the hell not?” Adam snaps.

“You’re kind of pissed at me, and your innocent-guy act doesn’t work on me.”

“I don’t have to be driving to damage your car, dick.”

Rix’s eyes flex in warning, but his mouth is trying not to curve.

I thrust out a hand, and Rix lets the keys go.

“Deep blue Chevrolet Corvette out back. Take care of it.”

“Flashier than I expected for you,” Adam mutters.

“I won it from Allie. We had a race to hack a highly risky network and find the location of one of Alistair’s trafficking leaders last year.”

He smiles in somber reflection and lingering triumph.

“I’m an excellent driver,” I sing.

Adam scoffs. “If you don’t count that one time over the summer I had to take the fall for?—”

“Let’s go!” I cut him off, smiling sweetly at Rix’s widening look.

I’m skipping out before he can change his mind.

In the elevator, I mumble, “It was barely a scratch.”

“I had to have the whole fender replaced,” Adam counters. “And it wasn’t even anything epic. Parking is not your strong suit.”

“Which is why I said I’m an excellentdriver.”

He rolls his eyes at me. “I have a bad feeling about this,” he says as we cross the lot toward another warehouse.

I don’t tell him that I do too.

CHAPTER 37

Anastasia

We don’t park too close to my parents’ estate. I know every entry and exit to this place, and I’ve snuck out plenty of times. Still, I’m riddled with anxiety.

“You haven’t even told me what we’re here for,” Adam says.

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