Page 26

“Any word?”

I shift my gaze from the corpse being rolled into a body bag to find Declan walking toward me.

Annoyed, I shake my head. “No. Whoever is behind this is doing a damned good job covering their asses.”

“Fuck,” he growls through clenched teeth, observing the men.

Over the past week, we’ve questioned, maimed, and disposed of a ridiculous number of men. Not even one has been remotely helpful in our search for who is behind our warehouses being targeted.

Not even the cooperation and allegiance with Antonio has made a difference.

“What would you like to do?”

Declan’s eyes become unfocused. He runs his thumb along his bottom lip, lost in thought. I wait in silence.

Earlier this week, I found a kid, Beans , as he goes by, hanging around one of our warehouses. In exchange for his life, he is keeping his eyes and ears peeled on the lower gangs around the city. Someone has to know something. It’s only a matter of time.

“We’ll just have to keep doing what we have been. Make sure the warehouses are covered.” I nod in agreement. “I’ll check in on Beans for an update, then we can determine our next steps.”

Tomas steps into view. “All done, boss. Body is on its way to the hospital’s morgue.”

“Good.”

He gives me a sharp nod and strides away.

We worked a deal with a smaller hospital. They take the bodies to do with what they please – mostly for harvesting their organs and teaching – and we provide a sizable donation for their research department.

It reduces the chances of any law enforcement not on our payroll sniffing around. It’s also nice not having to find a dump site for the dead.

The clean-up crew finishes their work of sweeping the room of any blood. The scent of chemicals permeates the air. My knuckles sting with each flex of my fingers.

Declan clasps a hand on my shoulder. “Meet you at the estate.”

“Actually.” He meets my gaze. “I’m going to pick up Sarah.”

His brow arches slightly, a teasing smirk lifting the corner of his mouth. “Oh?”

“Fuck off,” I chuckle, bumping my fist playfully against his chest. “Getting her to finally agree to see me, willingly, was like pulling fucking teeth.”

He shrugs. “I honestly enjoy pulling teeth.” Declan laughs at my grimace.

“I’m picking her up in about an hour.” I remove my phone, checking the time.

Declan’s keys spin on his middle finger, jangling together. “I’ll go with you. Paige is avoiding me, and I’m done waiting.”

Together, we make our way to the SUV.

* * *

Stepping back, I slide my hands into my pockets and wait for Sarah to open the door to her and Paige’s apartment. Declan’s stance matches my own.

The squeal of the old hinges grates at my ears when the door opens.

Her hair is tousled from sleep and her face is clean of any make up. I smile when I see the lines on her cheek from her bedding.

“Morning, réalta .” I step forward, bending down to kiss her lips.

“You’re early,” she responds. Her cheek flush and she tries avoiding my gaze.

Side-stepping, she allows Declan and I to step inside. He nods a greeting at Sarah then quickly saunters to Paige’s room.

My brows furrow when Sarah’s eyes track his receding frame. The expression on her face is a mixture of concern and anxiety.

“Hey.” I lightly grip onto her elbow, pulling her gaze. “Everything okay?”

Her eyes begin pooling with tears. She swallows tightly.

“It’s nothing,” she whispers, blinking rapidly.

I stop her head from dipping by gripping her chin with my forefinger and thumb. “Talk to me,” I plead quietly.

Anguish is etched across her face, and she chews the inside of her cheek. “It’s Paige.”

My eyes flick quickly down the hallway before returning to her. My expression must expose my confusion because she begins explaining some parts about Paige’s past that seem to linger and infect every happiness that she seems to find.

I know she is leaving a lot out, but it’s clear Paige’s past hurts Sarah just as deeply as it does her.

Declan had mentioned searching for someone in Paige’s past, some guy named Mark, but I wasn’t aware just how significant their previous involvement was.

Without another word, she ventures down the hallway.

Red faced and teary, Paige clings to Declan who hugs her just as fiercely. My heart squeezes at the sight.

Unsure of how she’ll react to me seeing her vulnerability, I gently brush my fingers against the back of Sarah’s hand. Her breath hitches at my touch but she doesn’t pull away. Instead, she shifts and intertwines her fingers with mine. I trace small circles along her skin.

Declan’s body jerks back when Paige shrieks about someone watching her. His stare reaches mine, silently ordering to investigate whatever is going on. Reluctantly, I release Sarah’s trembling fingers. I pull my phone from my pocket and dial Liam.

“Hack into the security systems of Paige’s work and apartment complex,” I order as soon as the call is answered.

“What are we looking for?” The tapping of a computer keyboard starts.

“Not what, who,” I reply. “Paige is terrified she is being watched. Declan is with her right now and she’s panicked.”

He curses. The clicking of the keyboard speeds up.

“I’ll call you once I see something,” he says when I finish describing Mark’s appearance.

After hanging up, I place my phone back into my pocket.

I step into the room, hearing Sarah’s plea for Paige to consider staying with Declan.

“I’ll have Sarah stay with me until we catch this Mark guy, Paige. You don’t have to worry about her, I’ve got her.” A minuscule amount of Paige’s panic dims from her eyes. I wrap my arm around Sarah’s waist.

She tugs at my shirt and nods toward the door when Declan and Paige begin arguing amongst themselves. Lacing my fingers with hers, we leave the room.

After packing and having a car dropped off for us, Sarah and I drive silently toward my penthouse.

* * *

She faces the window, tormented eyes trained on the passing buildings.

“Sarah,” I rasp, slowing to a stop at the red light.

She startles, her head whips in my direction. I smile apologetically. “Is something else bothering you?”

A cloud of tension seems to wrap itself around her body. My chest tightens uncomfortably. I can see the walls she hides behind building brick by brick. All evidence of somberness gone. Replaced by blank indifference.

I fucking hate it.

“Nope,” she responds, emphasizing the ‘P’ with a nonchalant pop. Her face drawing taunt.

Disappointment builds in my chest, and I struggle not to press her for answers. This is the first time she actually wants to be with me without my coaxing through sex.

The light flicks to green. Sighing, I return my eyes to the road and continue driving.

My mind is a mess.

I can’t figure out what it is about this woman that makes me want to take care of her. Be there for her.

Love her.

No one has ever affected me the way she has. It’s as though every emotion she feels, I feel.

Every atom inside me begs to connect with her on some level – any level at this point.

She just needs to let me.

A little while later we’re pulling into the parking garage of my building.

Despite the upbeat music playing and light conversation, the drive was thick with tension.

Sarah is climbing out of the car before I’ve even shifted into park. I roll my neck, trying to alleviate the ache in my muscles.

With a sigh, I climb out and follow Sarah toward the elevator.

“So, what are we going to do today?” she asks, plopping herself on my bed.

An idea sparks to life. “How do you feel about sparring?”

If she refuses to talk, maybe this is a way I can get her to release an emotion other than her usual upbeat persona.

Excitement morphs her face, and she shimmies with giddiness. “Are you for real?”

I laugh at the level of enthusiasm she shows.

“Of course; you said you wanted me to teach you a few moves.” Reaching back, I grip the collar of my shirt and tug it over my head. I chuckle softly when her heated gaze appraises my muscled chest, shoulders, and down my stomach. “Get changed.”

I spin and stride toward the closet before she begins stripping. If I see any part of her delicious body beneath her clothes, the only physical activity we will be doing will be of the horizontal type.

Even the subtle sound of fabric being stripped sends my blood rushing. I pinch my eyes closed willing the arousal away.

My movements are rushed as I scramble to change.

The silence of my room gives me pause when I move to tug my gym shorts up my legs. The heat of Sarah’s body meets my back. Her elegant fingers lightly wrap around my biceps. Every single nerve ending is set ablaze. The deliciously addictive scent of her perfume wraps around me.

My flesh pebbles at the warmth of her breath caressing my skin. “Ready?” I croak like a damned teenager going through puberty.

“Mhm.” She gives my arms a slight, gentle squeeze before releasing and stepping away.

Focus, Rhys. Don’t let your over eager dick distract you.

The fabric of my shorts unfortunately draws attention to said dick. Sarah’s eyes immediately fall to the tented fabric when I turn toward her and a smirk tugs at her lips.

Playful Sarah is back.

I can’t decide how I feel about it.