Page 2 of Ruined

Frowning, I pull my phone back, confused for a moment. My phone sure enough reads Walker, and the fucker even sounds like him.

“Jace,” he snaps into the phone.

“I’m here, fuck,” I say, draining the rest of my glass.

“It’s a favor,” he finally says. “I can’t give you much detail over the phone. But it’s a protection job. Once I give you these coordinates, I need you to go. Leave your phone and any electronics behind.” Out of the eight years I’ve known the man, he’s not once asked for a favor or required help with anything. The moment Walker says the coordinates, I’m repeating them over again in my head until they’re memorized.

“I’m going to suggest one thing,” Walker sighs. “You’re going to need Ryker.”

“You know he won’t help. He doesn’t want any part of protecting others.”

Over the years, we’ve gotten a few jobs that require some sort of helping instead of killing. Ryker always refuses and goes on a murderous rage, leaving me to do the job myself. It isn’t hard, but I hate that he feels like he can’t do it because of his past.

“I need you to convince him. This isn’t like what you’ve seen before. It’s important to me.” That shocks me even more. I want to ask questions, but I know Walker won’t answer them.

Sighing into the phone, I say, “I’ll try, but I can’t promise anything.”

“Get it done,” Walker growls, hanging up before I can say anything else. Tossing my phone down, my head hits the back of the chair, my eyes falling closed. I can already feel the headache building in my temples. There is no way Ryker will go for this, and I have no idea how I’m going to convince him.

Ryker steps into my office thirty minutes later, freshly showered, his usual black pants and black long sleeve shirt on and a clean mask in place. I couldn’t stop myself from immediately blurting out, “We have a job, and I need you to go to Alaska to get the cabin ready.”

Ryker halts to a stop, his eyes narrowing at me. I knew this wasn’t going to go over well, and I have a habit of blurting out whatever is on my mind at the wrong time.

“Walker called,” I rush to say before he can tell me he won’t do it.

That grabs his attention. Walker took both of us in after we left the military. Becoming a hitman wasn’t something I saw in my future. But when Ryker's whole world got imploded and needed an outlet, Walker found us and gave him one. And wherever Ryker went, I followed.

“It’s more than just a job. He’s asking for a favor. I have to go to some coordinates he gave me, grab the guy, and I think we should take him to Alaska.”

“What does this have to do with me?”

“Well, it’s not a kill job… we have to protect some guy.”

Ryker stomps forward, bracing his hands on the dark cherry wood desk. His eyes bore into mine as he says, “I don’t protect, I kill. I am notprotectingsome guy.”

Grinding my molars, I ease back my temper that’s roiling to a head. Walker calling and asking for a favor—that’s something that has alarm bells ringing in my head. He wouldn’t just call us for no reason, or for some random guy. Why can’t Ryker just understand that?

“Ryker…”

“Don’tRykerme. I’m not doing it,” he snaps. Shaking his head, he stands to his full height, crossing his arms over his chest.

Rolling my eyes, I cock my head to the side. He’s one of the most stubborn assholes there is, and I have no idea how I can convince him to help me with this.

“Fine,” I mutter. Getting to my feet, I round the corner standing next to him. “It was nice knowing you,” I mutter, walking out of the office. I head intomy room, grabbing my go bag before I check to make sure the bag has enough clothes and cash to get me to Kentucky and then to Alaska.

“What the fuck is that supposed to mean?” Ryker asks, storming into my room.

“It means exactly what it sounds like.”

“You’re not coming back?” I can almost hear the frown in his voice.

“I’m not sure. I have to head to these coordinates and then take him far away from there. I wasn’t given much information. Walker didn’t say anything except it was someonewehad to protect, and before you say anything, he included you, so whatever it is, it’s a big job. And like I said, a favor.”

“Why would you need me?” he mutters, and I can hear the confusion in his voice. I don’t like that he is conflicted.

“I don’t know, he just said I would need you and then said get it done and hung up.”

“Fucking asshole,” Ryker mumbles.

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