Page 116 of Lethal Vengeance

Zane comes up behind me and puts an arm around my shoulders. “Aren’t you going to taste it?” he taunts Sterling.

“Eat and grow strong,” Gabriel chimes in.

We all laugh because it’s the same thing Zane says to Gabriel every morning.

Sterling takes a bite of the toast. “It could use a little more toasting. What was the setting?”

I look at Zane. “There’s a setting?”

He chuckles. “I’ll show you for next time.”

Sterling plunges his fork into the eggs and takes a big bite. He chews for a second, then swallows. “A little rubbery.”

“What about the bacon?” I ask, leaning over to grab a piece. I take a bite. It’s got a weird taste to it and it’s sort of burnt. “Not good.”

“You can’t cook, can you?” Sterling asks wryly.

“Nope. Never had the patience for it,” I reply, shrugging. “I did try, though. A bet’s a bet.”

Zane wraps both arms around me and bends down to kiss my lips. “Never come into my kitchen again. Got it?” When I agree, he looks at the rest of them. “No more cooking bets.”

They all look at the plate in front of Sterling and laugh.

51

QUINN

After breakfast, Cruz brings us up to date on Rodrigo. “I lost him somewhere around Baton Rouge. He’s headed this way, though. How he knows we’re here, I’m not sure.”

The four of them communicate silently.

Zane leans forward with his elbows propped on his knees. “Sterling, set up surveillance on any blank areas around the house and warehouse. He’ll watch before he strikes.” He turns to Cruz. “My guess is he knew you were there. I want you to be visible from now on. It’s not your preference, but I want him to get comfortable, cocky even.”

Cruz glowers but agrees.

“Raider, I want you to do your thing. Blend with the warehouse staff, become the most uninteresting person in the world. Plain sight. To the point he dismisses you,” Zane orders.

They all swivel to me.

“You haven’t carried a weapon since you got here. Why?” Zane’s voice is hard when he questions me.

I think of the weapon I left buried in Armando’s empty chest. “I left the gun at the apartment above the tailor’s shop when I went to the event. It wasn’t there when I returned.” My hand clenches. “The knife became less of weapon and more of a symbol of my vengeance. I’m not sure I want to carry one anymore.”

“We grabbed all the weapons when we left. I’m sure it’s in the weapons room,” Zane informs me. “A gun is more noticeable, but we’d feel better if you had something on you.”

Me too. “I’ll find one.”

Raider narrows his eyes. “I’ll help Quinn figure out a weapon.”

Zane lifts his chin in acknowledgement. “I’m going to increase my exposure. Give him a target to focus on. I want him to think I’m the only obstacle he has to get through to get to Quinn.”

“That won’t be enough,” I state.

“Why not?” Zane retorts.

“He wants me. If he doesn’t see me, he’ll sneak around until he finds me. It’s better if I’m visible. Almost attainable,” I point out.

The arguing starts immediately. All four men throwing in different alternatives and scenarios. I say nothing, knowing they need to come to their own conclusions.