Page 36 of Run, Little Rabbit

He holds his hands up and takes a few steps back. I shouldn’t let him get under my skin, but there’s something about him I can’t turn away from. Something that makes my skinburn.

I turn back to my computer and spend the next hour doing a deep dive on the Volkov holdings. There are a number ofshell corporations holding a myriad of properties, but there’s one buried that catches my interest. I don’t know why; there’s justsomethingabout the way it’s listed under the ownership of several different companies. Someone doesn’t want this one found. It almost doesn’t exist.

“This one,” I tell Veon as I point to it.

He leans closer to the screen over my shoulder. “But it’s listed as awaiting demolition.”

“You think I’m wrong?”

Veon sighs as if he’s had enough of me. “No, but why that one?”

“I’d bet money on that one because itisawaiting demolition, and yet it’s buried so deep in paperwork it’s almost impossible to find. It’s also in the middle of nowhere.”

I didn’t think it was possible, but his scowl deepens again. I reach out and brush the creases between his eyebrows with my forefinger.

His hand darts out and wraps around my wrist. “What are you doing?”

“Stopping you from ageing prematurely. All that frowning will give you wrinkles.”

His fingers squeeze against my pulse point, like he doesn’t know whether to push me away or pull me closer. Veon’s blue eyes swirl with indecision, his pupils dilating as he continues to watch me, but I see the moment fear wins, and I know I’ve lost him.

He flinches, and his eyes narrow. “Send me the address.”

Veon straightens, turns on his heel and pulls his phone out to make a call. I sigh, but do as he asks, sending him the coordinates followed by a middle finger emoji.

He’s pacing the floor; that damn scowl is back and making him look like he’s one step away from going feral. Must be talking to the Boss. The infamous Rory Quinn.

I’ve heard stories, and I’m glad I’ve never met the guy. It still amazes me that Echo is cut from the cloth. Then again… I’m pretty sure she enjoys murdering people, so maybe the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.

“I’m heading over to that place to see if Echo is there.”

“What about Bennie’s phone?” I ask. I’ve already uncovered secrets about political figures and high-ranking police officers that would cause absolute chaos if released into public knowledge. And there’s so much I haven’t even looked at yet. I’ve got a program running just to organise the information so I can make some sense of it.

“That’ll have to wait,” Veon replies gruffly.

I roll my eyes. Of course it will. “Need some company on your rescue mission?”

He hits me with a flat look. “Do you have any kind of tactical training?”

“No.” I fold my arms across my chest. “But I can use a gun and take a guy down with my bare hands.”

Years of underground fighting taught me to be scrappy.

Veon eyes me warily, and I can almost see the cogs whirring in that brain of his.

I lean closer and roll my bottom lip between my teeth. “I’m also really good at following orders.”

“You’re a real pain in my ass,” he snarls.

I laugh manically. “Oh, come on, Veon. You know you need the help.”

I bet he’s pissed because Rory won’t send anyone else on this suicide mission. The guy has probably framed it as some challenge to Veon to put right his ‘mistake’.

No one else from the Quinn family will be allowed to come. But I’ll bet that wannabe hitman will tag along. Ray or Jay or some single-syllable namesake. The guy is in love with Echo, not that it’s ever done any favours for him. She won’t give him the timeof day because she needs someone who will put her in her place from time to time. Someone who can keep her occupied and interested because that girl is far too easily bored.

Veon’s shoulders drop, and I know I’ve won.

“Fine. Wear all black. We leave in five minutes.” He eyes my white-blonde hair with disgust. “And put a fucking hat on. We’re picking Kai up on the way.”