Page 173 of The Alpha's Second Chance Mate

“Getting in without an invite is one hundred percent impossible,” the kid agreed.

“We need an inside man,” Trent said. “Someone who can help us from that end.”

Our prisoner did his best to lift his bound arms. “I am obviously not in any position to help there.”

He was right. He’d been compromised when we took him. It was like Langston said—if this guy showed back up on Kyle’s doorstep, Kyle would automatically think he’d spilled secrets, and the poor piece of shit would be in a shallow grave by sundown.

“Do you know anyone we might be able to flip?” I asked, hoping against hope.

He rolled his eyes at me. “On Kyle’s payroll? Nah. Shit, we all know the score. He even told us when we were brought on. If anyone offers you more money, go to him. He’ll double what you’ve been offered and give you a bonus if you help him kill the prick who tried to turn you. You could offer a guy something, and he’ll only use it to get a raise. Not happening.”

“But you said some of the guys are scared of what he’s doing,” Porter said. “Wouldn’t some of them be willing to turn? Decide to do the right thing?”

The look he gave Porter was one of withering scorn. “Right and wrong go out the window when it comes to life and death. Lots of guys talk big shit about dying for a cause like fuckingBraveheartor something, but when it comes right down to it, most of us want to live. The few guys whomightcome over to your side aren’t going to. Kyle knows everyone’s life. For the guys Kyle thinks might betray him, he’s got other things held over them.Threats to parents and loved ones, financial stuff, things like that.”

“What about the woman?” I asked. “Sydney? Could she be turned?”

“Woman?” He chuckled. “That chick’s the best hacker I’ve ever seen, but she’s only twenty. Just a kid.”

“You’re one to talk, bro,” Porter said. “What are you? Twenty?”

“I’ll be twenty-two next month,” he responded bitterly.

“If you survive that long,” Porter snapped.

“What about this girl?” I prodded, dragging the conversation back to where I wanted it.

He shook his head. “No clue what her deal is. Kyle only brought her in a few weeks ago. She talks a big game and acts pretty cocky, but I think she knows she’s in over her head and uses that as a shield. My personal opinion,” he added.

“Give us whatever names you can,” Langston said. “Anyone you think might have even the slightest chance of turning on Kyle. We’ll discuss and come back later.”

He gave us a short list of names, and we left him.

“Hey!” Scotty shouted after us. “Can I get something to eat, for fuck’s sake? A PB&J? Bologna? Anything?”

“You’ll eat when we tell you to,” Trent muttered, and slammed the basement door behind us.

“Is this the best place to keep him?” Porter asked.

“For now, yes,” Langston said. “Everything he told us could have been bullshit. Including these names,” he added, shaking the paper.

“I don’t think so,” I said. “You could see in his eyes that he was telling the truth.”

Langston leaned against the counter. “Yeah, you’re right, but it’s still better safe than sorry. Hell, he could assume we’re lying and are gonna kill him regardless. A cornered animal is dangerous. A cornered animal that’s tied up and secure isnot.”

“Fair enough,” I said. “But it might be better if we move him. If Kyle decides to come for him, this is probably the first place he’ll look.”

“Shit.” Langston ran a hand through his hair. “Hadn’t thought about that yet.”

“Somewhere else in town?” Trent offered.

“No, that’s the next place he’ll think to look,” I said.

Langston snapped his fingers. “My dad’s got some vacation houses around here. I think we can use one of those. Maybe the one on Lake Lanier.”

“Hold up,” I said. “Did you say ‘vacation houses?’ Like, plural?”

Looking uncomfortable, Langston shrugged. “Yeah. He likes mountains and lakes. He only has the one beach house down in the gulf. I keep asking him to get one in the Caribbean.”

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