Page 10 of Veiled Vengeance

Rio turns off the engine and pulls the keys out of the ignition. “We’re here because you need food, I need food, you need a shower, and I need a shower. Then lastly, we can’t go up into White Plains, guns blazing—we’re not cowboys. You need to do your computer genius thing and look this shit up. We’ll make a plan and then go get them.”

He’s right. We have to be smart about this. I need to verify the warehouse purchases and narrow down which one they’re at.

I sigh and lean my head back against the headrest. “You’re right. We’ll plan.”

Rio’s hand dives into my hair and pulls my face to his. His lips find mine easily and offer me the comfort and reassurance I need. I open my mouth and our tongues dance together and I return the same confidence he so freely gives me.

When we pull apart, our foreheads connect, and we breathe together, connecting in a way that calms us both.

“We’ve got this,” Rio whispers.

“We’ve got this,” I echo back.

I’m towelingmy hair with another around my waist when there’s banging on the front door. Rio is already dressed and downstairs, so I rush down the steps in my barely-dressed glory with my gun in hand.

Rio is at the door, weapon in hand, chatting away with whoever is on the other side. I come up behind him and find the last person I expected to see.

Hayes.

Rio leans an arm on the doorframe. “How did you find our address?”

Hayes narrows his eyes. “You’re not the only one with connections.”

My brows shoot up. What the hell is he talking about? I did Hayes’s background check and found nothing of importance. Yet here he is, claiming he can somehow get the same kind of information we have access to.

I finally chime into the conversation. “And you’re here . . . why?”

He balls his fists at his sides. “I know you know where she is.”

After a long pause, I ask, “Spencer?”

“Iris! She’s missing; I can’t reach her. I went by her apartment, and it was torn apart—it’s completely trashed.” His despair matches my own.

“We had nothing to do with whatever has happened to her.”

“I know that!” He rests his hands on his hips, his head falling forward, and he takes a deep breath. “I need to find her.”

“Come on. Get in here.” Rio reaches for his shoulder and guides Hayes inside. Rio tries to guide Hayes to the couch to sit, but he refuses.

“Please just . . .” Hayes pinches the bridge of his nose. “Tell me what you know. I need to know.” He crosses his arms and plants his feet, effectively communicating his determination.

“You should let us handle this,” I offer. Hayes is young, way too young to get caught up in all of this.

“Like hell,” he scoffs.

Gotta give credit where credit’s due.

Rio and I share a look. We’ve been together and worked together long enough that I know what each of his micro-expressions mean. I send a small nod back that gives my agreement.

Rio turns to Hayes first. “Spencer and Asher were taken by the Bride Butcher.”

“The Bride Butcher? The serial killer that’s been all over the news?”

I internally roll my eyes. I hate the media, especially Sherry, and the shit she tried pulling with Asher.

“That’s the one,” Rio answers.

Hayes proves not to be a dumbass when he asks the right questions. “Why them?”

---