Page 87 of Captive Audience
He’d installed cameras in my apartment and followed me places. He’d learned my most intimate details, like what food I liked to eat and when my period was due.
He’d killed a man for me.
Was Rook’s obsession with me a way to distract himself from the pain of losing his brother? Did watching over me give him purpose? Make him feel useful? He felt he’d failed to protect Niall. Maybe that drove his infatuation with protecting me.
A phone rang. Rook’s.
Without letting me up, he snatched it from the arm of the sofa and answered. “Aidan?”
It was a brief, one-sided conversation. Whatever Aidan told Rook made his eyes darken.
“Aye. I’ll meet you in the basement.” He hung up and rose from the sofa, raking his hands through his unruly hair.
I sat up. “What is it?”
Rook swallowed deeply. “Aidan just got a tip-off about a container full of women at the docks.”
35
ROOK
On my way to the bedroom, I texted Finn and told him to get here ASAP to stay with Asha.
“I should come with you to the dock,” she said, following me to the closet.
She didn’t look away when I stripped out of my sleep pants and tugged on a pair of dark jeans. “Like fuck.” A T-shirt and black hoodie went on next.
“If you find women, they’ll be scared of you. I could talk to them. Help keep them calm.”
“They’ll be scared no matter what. A pretty face won’t soothe them.”
With Asha hot on my heels, I went to the armory—a concealed room behind the wine cellar. The door unlocked with a clunk.
“Holy shit.” She gaped at the wall of weapons. “Does John Wick know you’ve stolen his cache?”
I shoved a Glock into my waistband, an extra clip into one pocket, and a switchblade in the other. I grabbed a duffel bag and loaded it with a rifle, a sawed-off shotgun, some ammo, grenades, and flash-bangs.
“What do you need all that stuff for?”
When I faced Asha, she was gnawing on a fingernail.
“I’m not going to a tea party, love. If we find the men responsible for this shite, we’ll finish them before sunrise.”
“Shouldn’t you wear a bulletproof vest or something?”
“Aye. It’s in the car.” My brows lifted. “Are you worried about me?”
“Of course not.” But the way she folded her arms across her body told a different story.
“Hey.” I went to her. “This is why I can’t have you with me. If bullets are flying, I’ll be distracted trying to keep you safe.”
Asha chewed on her bottom lip. “You think there’ll be a shoot-out?”
“It’s unlikely, but it’s best to come prepared.” I clasped her by the shoulders and stared into the most stunning pair of green eyes I’d ever known. “Stay and get some sleep. Finn will be here until I’m back, but it probably won’t be until morning.”
“Okay.” She nodded.
I released her and threw the duffel bag over my shoulder. “There is something you can do to help.”
