Page 162 of Love Me Stalk Me
I file that away. An invisible mastermind is testing our weaknesses. Someone's planning a significant heist. And they're getting closer. Because these guys made it into an off-limits area, and that's on me and my team.
I push to my feet. "Call the precinct."
One of my guys nods and presses a button on his headset.
The two thieves' heads snap up.
"Wait—what?"
The guy on the left looks panicked. "But you said?—"
"I didn't promise you anything."
Their faces fall.
"I only said that if you didn't talk, it'd be bad." I shrug, adjusting my sleeves. "I never said that if you did, it'd be good."
I push out of the holding cell, rolling my shoulders back, shaking off the last bit of adrenaline coursing through my veins. I can hear the two guys inside, muttering curses under their breath, probably continuing to convince themselves they aren't fucked.
They are.
I make my way back to the security office, where Ramirez and the rest of the team are watching the feed from the holding cell. I stop just inside the doorway, arms crossed over my chest.
"We're patching our weaknesses," I tell them, voice firm. "Tomorrow morning, thirty minutes early. No exceptions."
A few guys exchange glances, but no one argues.
Ramirez nods. "Got it."
"Good," I say. "You all did your jobs today. But we're not playing defense anymore." I exhale, my fingers drumming against my bicep. "We're gettingahead of this."
The room is silent, then Ramirez nods again. "Understood."
I don't need to say anything else.
I turn, grab my keys, and head to my bike.
The second I get on, I dial corporate. Bad news doesn't get better with age. Better to get ahead of it now. It only takes two rings before someone picks up. I keep the call short, efficient. Tell them exactly what happened. Two men casing the store, made it into the back. Security caught them before they could get any further. No losses, no property damage, no employee injuries. Just a reminder that we're dealing with something bigger. Corporate is receptive. They trust that I have it under control.
And they should.
Because I do.
I end the call, exhaling as I grip the handles.
Ready to put this day behind me.
Ready to go to her.
I reach to put my phone away?—
And then, a text pops up.
From Izzy.
To Caleb.
She hasn't talked to him in a week.
