Page 20 of Dangerous Command

“You’re acting paranoid,” Derek said, “like you think someone’s watching you.”

He wasn’t wrong about that. “You know, thisisa mafia funeral. Can you blame me for being a little cautious?”

He tilted his head, his mouth settled. “I won’t let anyone get near you, Mads.”

He was telling the truth. All I had to do was ask for his protection, and it wouldn’t matter that I couldn’t pay the fees like the rest of the city. Derek would do it because there was something there inside of him thatwantedto do it. That wanted to protect me. Maybe it was for purely selfish reasons, but they werepersonalreasons, nonetheless.

And a tiny part of me wanted to ask him for help because I knew, now, more than ever, that I needed it. My stepdad was out there, waiting for the right time to finally get rid of me.

Still, I held onto my resolve.

“I can take care of myself,” I said.

“I know.”

My forced confidence made me cringe. I said a lot of things, but I was honestly terrified of my stepdad. And anyway, it was stupid of me to think that by staying with Derek, I could outrun my stepdad.

But it seemed like the only option. The only way to stay safe.

I touched the scar on my cheek.

Two people were better than one, at least until I could find my stepdad and kill him. And after that, I would run away. Start a new life with Mack.

I wouldn’t have to see the Adlers again.

“You still need help in Brackston?” I asked. Derek’s chin shifted, his eyes still locked on mine.

“I do.”

I sucked in a breath, bracing myself for the next words. “I’ll help you. But after that,” I put a finger through the air, signaling how serious I was, “I’m out. Done. No more mafia.”

“Unless I convince you to stay,” he said.

“Derek,” I said, irritation evident in my voice. He grinned and held out his hand.

“Deal.”

CHAPTER 6

Derek

The next day, the lights flickered on inside of the warehouse, barely illuminating the space. After a minute, they fully booted up, and we could see. Since destroying the Midnight Miles Headquarters several months ago, we hadn’t had any use for this place. We transferred the products back to Sage City, then Wil put it up for sale. But there were still shells of what had once operated here. Metal shelving units with loose pieces of cardboard. A styrofoam ice chest with rotten fish, all but one gutted. I poked it with my glove. Sure enough, a bag of heroin was tucked inside of it.

“You want some?” I asked Maddie.

She wrinkled her nose. “No thanks.”

“It’s still good.”

“I’m sure it’sgreat.”

I left it there. I’d send one of my men to take care of it later. Even if it stunk of fish, product was still product.

We continued through the building when a loud metal creak interrupted us. Dark hair, graying at the sides, popped into view. Uncle Ray.

“Boss,” he said, startled. “Didn’t know you were coming here today.”

What washedoing here? “Shouldn’t you be handling the delivery to Woodlands?” I asked.