Page 268 of The Reluctant Hero

“When it gets dirty, think about going home to Amanda. That’s the only thing that matters.Getting home. Got it?”

We stare at each other, no one speaking until I break the silence.

“I prefer knives.”

They glance at each other, stunned silent. I return to memorizing the map.

***

The meeting with Owen starts off in a normal fashion. Bootlicking with sparse information. Only Cade and Mikael are with me. When he asks about it in a much too casual tone, I inform him that they’re running errands that can’t be put off. It seems to put him at ease.

The problems begin as they usually do.

He wants to take us to the mansion and prefers to drive us.

We’re prepared for that.

What we weren’t anticipating was the limo that pulled up. Something too well fortified to be anything but a prison. It might as well be an expensive tank.

When we settle inside, Mikael at my side and Cade next to Owen on the opposite, things seem off. There should be a partition to separate us from the driver, with a window to lower or raise for privacy. Instead, there’s only a large monitor that appears to be a window at first glance. For some reason, the sight of it makes me uneasy.

We’re on our way without a word between us.

Owen’s face drops into a more relaxed expression now that we’re out of sight of the public.

“How’s your defection going?” He asks with mild interest.

I raise a brow. There’s only one defection I’m supposed to be a part of. It’s about my father. The less I say, the better.

When I don’t respond, he brushes it off. Or so I think.

“You might want to reconsider your stance. Mr. Matthias has a lot of intel that others can’t get easily.”

The knowing look he gives me has the hair on my neck standing up. He’s leading me somewhere. But where? The teams in town? Father’s odd knowledge and lack of action against the scum that’s been in this town, around his daughter no less, for years now?

Would it surprise me if Father was in this all along? Giving money to them?

Sadly, yes, it would. They stand for something that he has vowed retribution against. How far has he gone down in his pursuit of power to fight back?

“Am I not holding your interest?” Owen asks in a tight voice. His irritation is clear.

“If you spoke of something worthwhile, I’d be more likely to pay attention,” I casually glance out the window.

So far, we’re following a straight route to the mansion.

“I guess I need to up the stakes,” he replies with a smug smile.

He raises his phone and makes a video call. The screen comes to life, and my body tenses as a familiar number slowly appears, entered digit by digit. I’ve been hoping for it to show up on my phone—just one call or text—but it hasn’t yet.

How does he have Amanda’s number? And why is he calling?

I force myself to stay still, but I can’t tear my eyes off the screen as the call goes through.

57

Wake the Dead

Amanda

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