Page 65 of Save Me
Cal grimaces and turns to Thayer. “So, what did you have in mind for payback?”
“We’re going to blow them to kingdom come,” Thayer states.
“You and your explosives,” Quen mutters. “You got a plan to back up that statement?”
Harry’s lips twist into a grim smile. “I was hoping you’d ask that. I’ll take this one, if you don’t mind?” Thayer shrugs, so Harry continues, “After last time, I’ve been keeping some eyes on them.” He taps into his phone and brings up something on the screen, which he shows Adam first. “I’ve been tracking their movements, their cash flows. They think they’re ghosts, but you’ve gotta be better than that in this game.”
“And money leaves a trail,” Quentin adds, leaning over to look at the phone.
“Exactly.” Harry taps on a location on the on-screen map, circling an area with his finger. “This is their main stash house. We hit them where it hurts most first—their wallet.”
Callum steps forward, his gaze dark and calculating. “We’ll need a distraction, something to draw them out.”
“Like?” Quentin probes.
“Like another hit,” Callum suggests. “Somewhere minor but enough to pull their focus.”
Harry chuckles lowly, shaking his head. “You’re proposing we start a war.”
Callum’s eyes are like steel when he locks gazes with Harry. “No. I’m proposing we finish one. They started it by taking Vogue.”
I swallow thickly, watching these men who’ve become my unexpected allies plot, destruction as easily as they breathe. Part of me is terrified; another part hums with the adrenaline thatcomes from knowing you’re backed by people unafraid to stand and fight.
Adam nods slowly. “Make it messy,” he advises. “Send a message.”
“Messy’s my middle name,” Thayer says with a wry grin before it falls away just as fast. “But first, we need to hit up the storage facility. Can’t leave those grenades lying around.”
“Let’s move,” Callum says,
“Wait!” I exclaim as they head for the door. “What about my dad? I can’t just leave him!”
“You need to stay here. It’s too dangerous for you,” Callum says, crossing over and taking me in his arms. He kisses the top of my head. “I know that’s not what you want to hear, and I love you for your fierceness and spine of steel, but we can’t do our jobs properly if we are worrying about you. These guys have tried twice to get to you. The first time they even accomplished it.”
I shoot Harry a glance and thank God the injury he suffered wasn’t bad.
“You are their golden egg, baby girl,” Thayer says. “You can’t be anywhere near this.”
Hating that I think they’re probably right, I nod. “Okay, but please don’t get hurt or worse. I can’t… please.”
“I’m going with them,” Adam states, and I have to say that makes me feel a whole lot better. The man seems to be indestructible.
“Okay,” the doctor says, coming into the kitchen. His expression is a mask. “I’ve done what I can for now. I’ve removed the bullet. Nothing major was hit. He was lucky. He’s stable, but...”
But. The word hangs in the air, a harbinger of uncertainty, a cliffhanging ‘to be continued’ that none of us wants to hear.
“Thank you,” Adam says tightly, nodding to the doctor. Our eyes meet, and there’s a silent exchange, a shared understanding that this is far from over.
“He’s a stubborn fucker. Keep him down,” the doctor instructs. “I’ll check back in a few hours.”
He leaves, and with reassuring smiles, the guys leave too as Quen mutters about getting another tee from upstairs first.
I go to my dad, who is still in the living room but looking slightly better than he did a while ago. The silence in the room is a thick blanket, suffocating. I can barely breathe, let alone think straight.
Then, a soft groan from Dad breaks the heavy quiet, and I drop to my knees next to him.
“Vogue?” His voice is weak, but it’s the sweetest sound I’ve ever heard.
“I’m here, Dad.” My voice cracks, but I don’t give a shit. Tears blur my vision.
