Page 2 of Keep Me (Rebel Hearts Heists 2)
Walker turns to arch a brow at him and Kaden slumps back against the wall, watching me with a gaze filled with concern and guilt. I have to avert my eyes from him because my heart is speeding up and I can feel the tears welling up because of my frustration at all of this.
“As I was saying, you are in quite a difficult position,” he drawls. “One that is probably going to land you in more prison time that you even realize.”
“Why the fuck are you telling us this?” River growls sitting up fully and wincing at the pain he must be in. “We aren’t denying what we fucking did, so cut to the goddamn chase.”
My toes curl at his tone, I like River’s strong side and the unapologetic way he goes through life. It causes Blaine to chuckle softly. Royce is silent but I can feel the amusement radiating from him. River.Man,the guy is just somehow imperfectly perfect.
“Right,” Walker states, “we are willing to cut you a deal if you do something for us.”
Hope jumps in my chest but like the others I don’t say anything, trying to keep my head clear of panic just enough to hear what he has to say.
“What’s the deal?” Royce asks cautiously.
“We are willing to let you go and forget about this entire mess, if you can help us prove who is responsible for the massive tax fraud scandal for which Mr. Barrington is serving time as well as catching Van Der Beck red handed. If possible, we would like to discover how the huge sums he’s embezzling are being laundered.”
The brothers and River freeze and I frown, slumping slightly. I whisper, “Is that it? It’s that simple?”
“Never.” Walker chuckles softly in amusement. “You will be using FBI equipment and trackers, additionally you will be flying out today because we would rather this ends as soon as possible or before Van Der Beck can catch wind that we’re onto him. I won’t be sending a pilot with you because I’ve been informed that Royce Barrington can fly a plane and we would like to keep our involvement in this as secret as possible. Agent Vance will be accompanying you as well, continuing his undercover operation and he’ll be in charge—”
“Absolutely fucking not,” Blaine states firmly. “I don’t want him around us, and especially around Sloane. Pick a different agent.”
“That’s not a fucking option,” Kaden says as I continue to refuse to look at him. “I don’t trust Agent Hunter not to try and get involved in this case, if I’m not there.”
Why does it hurt that he’s only involving himself because of that?Wait... what? I whisper my question, almost afraid to utter my ex’s name. “Pierce isn’t locked up?”
I can feel the color draining from my face as my hearing seems to buzz slightly. This time I’m staring right into Kaden’s face but I can’t even hear what he’s saying. I don’t need to hear his answer, it’s clear as fuck what’s going on. Panic seems to crash over me like waves threatening to drown me.
Pierce is free?
He could still get me?
Get River?
Hurt all of us?
I can feel nausea coming up my throat and my eyes dart towards the waste basket by the door. I wonder if I can get there in time, but before I can throw up the room begins to drift out of focus and I start feeling dizzy.
“Kaden, grab it,” Blaine snarls and then the basket is put in front of me, warm rough hands hold back my hair as I puke, my skin breaks out into shivers and my head spins. I can hear yelling so I try to refocus myself.
“River we do not need you on this if you’re going to be an ass,” Kaden snaps as I jerk away from drinking the water he’s offering me. The trash can disappears and Blaine turns me gently so I can rest my head against his chest.
“Ms. Donnelly.” Walker's voice finally breaks through my haze. “Is there something that you would like to report about Agent Hunter?” I look up to see that his face is pale and guilt is streaked through his expression.
“Will it make a difference?” I bite out softly. “Is anyone going to believe a fugitive against an agent? I’m not stupid Walker, I know how the system works.”
There’s silence and I realize that Kaden is in a stare off with Royce as River glares at Walker, and Blaine tries to comfort me. I need to push past this. I want out of this room and then … well, then I can deal with the rest. “I want River’s injuries looked at before we leave,” I mumble.
“Fine.” Walker nods.
“How do we know you’re not a lying piece of shit?” River asks casually but I don’t miss the tightness of his jaw.
“You have my word that we will let you go free,” Walker offers.
“I sure hope your word means more than Vance’s lies,” Royce spits out.
“Since we are doing this bullshit, can we get these cuffs off?” Blaine asks frustratedly.
Walker nods, standing and undoing our cuffs one by one, leaving mine for last. Immediately, Blaine tugs me into his lap, his arms like steel bands around me as he lets out a low rumble. Kaden steps back, wrenching a hand through his hair looking frustrated as well.
