Page 84 of Merciless

Thank fuck. “I’m assuming he don’t know about this, or I would’ve heard from him, yeah?”

“He doesn’t,” she confirms. “And he doesn’t need to,” she goes on. I can hear that conviction there, the badass Roxana coming to the surface. Would’ve happened immediately a couple of years back, but she ain’t used to this sort of thing no more, she’s out of practice. Problem is, when Roxana gets like this, like the old her, it can lead to her putting herself in more danger. She gets reckless and wild.

“He’s gonna hear about it. He has to, princess.”

“I can handle this. It’s okay. I’ve got it.”

“Roxana, no—"

“It’s not my first rodeo. Not by far.”

“That ain’t the issue here.”

“What does that mean?”

“I’m off the grid, at one of my safehouses.”

“You’re… what? Why?”

“I didn’t want to worry you, because it’s only temporary. But I’m telling you now because the threat I’m dealing with is connected to the tail you got on you.”

“Wow, Dad. That’s intense. And I can’t believe you didn’t tell me you’re in danger.”

“Right now you’re in danger and that’s all I care about.”

“I’ll be fine. I’m good now. I know what I need to do. I was just a little rusty. I’ll sort this out.”

“No. You fucking won’t. Not on your own. You got no idea how good these assholes are. The only way out of this is for you to listen to me and do exactly what I say.”

“Dad—”

“You wanna get home to Ax and Ava?”

“Of course, but—”

“Sin’s gonna head your way and interfere with the tail on you. They can’t see you no more on the cameras.”

“What? They tapped into the feed?”

“Yeah, but they’re kicked out now. It’s gonna make it harder for them. So, this is what I’m gonna need you to do. Make your way to the Sundown Motel. Don’t speed or try to shake them again yet. Once you get there, park off to the far side of the lot and get low. You’re gonna hear things, but don’t react, just stay under cover. You got that? You gotta promise me that you’ll follow my instructions, princess. All right? Swear it to me.”

“I will. I hear you, Dad. I’m not going to do anything reckless.”

“Good. Thank you. Now, I gotta make a couple of quick calls, then I’ll be back on the line with you. I’m on my way down there myself ASAP.”

“That’s not necessary. I don’t need you to babysit me and talk me through every second.”

“You’re my daughter. I ain’t leaving you when you’re in trouble and scared. Bad enough I gotta do it for a few minutes, but I gotta put things in place to take care of this for you.”

I know she’ll never admit to actually being scared but it’s impossible not to be in this kind of situation. Now she’s got a family of her own, it makes that fear all the more intense. She don’t wanna think about leaving them without her. It’s fucking heavy and it can be crippling when you ain’t used to it, like she ain’t no more.

“Dad, I know, and I appreciate that, but I need to focus. I can’t slip up here.”

“Fuck,” I grunt, scrubbing my hand over my face. “Roxana.”

“You know I’m right.”

“All right, fine. Just… keep your phone real close to you.”

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