Page 100 of Scarred Sins
“They aren’t stupid,’’ Freya adds. “I highly doubt that the place they’re using is under any of their names. They have lackeys for that, in case anything happens. They won’t risk having it traced back to them.’’
“Exactly,’’ Noelle nods. “We’re going in blind. I need all of you to trust your instincts. If you think you should shoot, take the shot. No hesitation and, most importantly, no mercy for the bastards.’’
“How many people will be in the backup team?” Arlo asks.
It’s the first time he has spoken since the conversation has started. He rubs soothing circles on the back of my palm, his eyes glued to his mother’s face. His expression is stoic, his lips pulled together.
“Twenty. They’re the brute strength we’ll need.’’
Arlo nods. “Once I get the confirmation of the location, I’ll forward it to everyone.’’
Raven leans forward, the tips of his hair falling onto the wooden table, head tilted to the side. “How can you be sure you’ll even get the location?”
Utter silence falls upon us. Everyone’s looking between the two, apart from X, who is still staring down, and Cove, who is as silent and unbothered as ever. In fact, I’m starting to question whether or not he was even paying attention to the conversation, given how bored he seems. He even yawns a little, hiding it behind his palm.
Arlo’s brow twitches. If he hates anything, he hates being questioned. Over the time I’ve spent training with him and his family, I got a little curious. I learned that his nickname is the Ghost, and I did a little research on him.
A phantom.
Unlike the ghosts from horror stories, this one is very real. Once he sets his mind on a target, there isn’t anything that could ever prevent their death. If the Ghost sets his eyes on them, they’re just dead people walking, waiting for their doomsday.
It’s one of the things I find fascinating about Arlo. His duality. The way he’s able to flip the switch between the vicious, murderous persona and the sweet and gentle man he’s always showing me.
Arlo’s mouth opens, and he’s about to speak when his phone buzzes. With a deep breath to calm himself down, he pulls the device out of his pocket and skims through the messages. He turns the phone around, and I skim through the contents.
The first message is an address.
“Next Friday, midnight.’’
I read the message out loud, and Arlo turns to look at Raven with a faint smirk. “Don’t question me, Raven. As you can see, we have the location and the date.’’
Next Friday.
That’s in five days.
Am I ready for this? What if I fuck up? What if this is all Zoe’s way of fucking us all over and she’s never been on our side? What if I try shooting and don’t manage to hit a single person? What if I cause the operation to fail?
My mind goes into overdrive.
Too many questions, too many insecurities, and doubtful thoughts swirl through my head. The conversation continues, and I force my focus onto the words filling the room. Arlo’s hand squeezes mine as a silent assurance that I’m not alone.
I have Arlo by my side.
Now and forever.
THIRTY
Blair is snuggled to my side, wrapped in a fluffy blanket. She’s munching on some chocolate chip cookies she made with Mom earlier in the day, watching a comedy movie on the TV. She put on the first thing that caught her attention, and she’s been snuggled into my side for the past hour.
Her sweet vanilla scent fills my nose as I play with the ends of her hair, alternating between that and stroking her forearm. We didn’t speak much since the movie began, but we didn’t need to. I’m just satisfied hearing her smile at one of the worst, unfunniest scenes I have ever seen.
Blair is a brilliant woman, but her humor needs to be improved.
Back when I brought her to see Cove’s fight, I gave her a ribbon. She has not taken it off since, except when she showers. The piece of fabric is either tied around her wrist, her hair, or her neck. She doesn’t let go of it, almost like it’s her most prized possession.
It makes me love and appreciate her so much more. I bought her expensive clothes, jewelry, and whatnot, yet all she truly cares about is a piece of fabric that could be ripped apart easily.
Arson is on Blair’s lap, sleeping peacefully and purring. The damned cat has completely taken over the household, and no matter how much it seemed that she liked me previously, she suddenly acts like I’m her greatest enemy.
