Page 149 of Carrick
“So let’s move like we’ve got something to lose,” he said simply.
And just like that, the tone of the room changed. Not softer. But clearer. Because now it wasn’t just strategy anymore. Now it was personal.
Maddy didn’t say anything—just nodded once, her eyes unreadable. Sully tossed back the last of his coffee. “Fuck it. I’m in.” Jax looked down at his tablet. “I’ll rig a trace line. If he calls or texts, I’ll know where he is within five seconds.”
Niko was the last one standing still. He looked at me—hard. Long. Then said, “One shot.”
“That’s all I’ll need.”
He gave a tight nod.
Quinn did some mental calculations, then spoke. “Forty-eight hours. Give me that long to inform the Chief, and make preparations in case everything goes tits up. I will come back over here in two nights, and we’ll make the call.”
And just like that, we were no longer planning, no longer reacting.
We were moving.
Her door was crackedwhen I got back.
She sat on the edge of the bed, barefoot, hair tucked behind one ear, my sweatshirt still draped over her frame. The journalrested in her lap, fingers fidgeting with the frayed spine, though she hadn’t turned a page.
She looked up when I stepped inside.
I didn’t speak at first. Just closed the door behind me and leaned against it, arms crossed, taking her in.
She looked tired. And not in the way sleep could fix.
I crossed the room and crouched in front of her, resting my forearms on my knees. Close, but not crowding. Still giving her space to breathe.
“We’re making a move,” I said. “Slow. Careful. But deliberate.”
Her breath caught. “They agreed?”
“Eventually.”
She gave me a look.
I sighed. “There was yelling.”
A ghost of a smile flickered across her lips. It didn’t last, but I’ll take it.
“You told them about the phone?”
“Yeah.”
A raised eyebrow. “They were pissed.”
“Yeah.”
She tilted her head. “You okay?”
“No.”
She smiled again, softer this time.
I shifted forward, closing the space between us, and rested my hands gently on her thighs. The contact grounded both of us—steady, solid. Her skin was cool, a chill still clinging to her like a reminder of how exposed we both felt. Slowly, I slid my hands upward, letting warmth bleed into her as I moved with intention, until I reached her hands where they gripped the journal like it was the last thing tethering her to the room.
“We’re not abandoning him,” I said softly, keeping my voice calm and even. “But we’re doing this smart. Jax will monitorthe line. Quinn’s involved. The team’s on board. We’re going to make the call in forty-eight hours. We need that long to make sure we do this right.”
