Page 192 of Retribution

“Look at the universe working in our favor,” I smirk. “Ugh, now I need to check the trunk to see if Duncan has anything fun that I can use.”

My phone buzzes in my hand, and I check it, knowing I’ll need to silence it when I go into the house.

Corbin:

I’m concerned. Please answer your phone.

A second later, it flashes with a call, and I roll my eyes.

“Grumpy old men,” I mutter before answering. “Hello.”

“Don’t ‘hello’ me, girlie. What does making a statement mean? I’ve heard the stories about you,”he grumbles.

A text message comes in next, and I grin as I check it and see that it’s Cian.

Stop micromanaging the girl, Corbin. My only request is that you not dump his dead body in the mayor’s yard, please.

I mean, Reggie was technically hired by the mayor. Cian isn’t wrong to request this.

“See? Cian trusts me,” I tease Corbin.

“Ugh, I’m too old for this. Thank you for taking care of it,” he sighs. “I’m taking myself to bed.”

It is late, so I don’t blame him.

“Good night!” I say brightly as I hang up, which isn’t my typical energy.

The hospital made me face my mortality again. No matter how much of a badass I am, pelvic exams are the worstafter sexual trauma. Every poke felt as if I was reliving what happened. I felt like a failure because I couldn’t save myself sooner. The sedative fucked that up.

Shaking myself free of the memories, I silence my phone and put it away as I climb into the trunk.

“What are you looking for?” Grant asks, frowning because I’m not wearing a seat belt.

“Rope,” I say, grinning as I find some. I’m already wearing gloves due to the cold, and it’ll keep me from leaving fingerprints everywhere.“Can someone check with Duncan to make sure nothing back here can be traced back to them please?”

I vaguely listen as Lucas calls him, and I find a knife along with a lock picking set. I think I should be fine with these items. I still have my gun as well as zip ties to hold him in place while I’m working if necessary.

“He says you can use whatever is back there,” Lucas calls back to me.

“Thank you. Grant, can you park along the back of the brownstone, please?” I ask. “I need to borrow someone’s sweatshirt too. This sweater is too bright.”

“I didn’t realize we were making a murder pit stop,” Lucas snorts. “I would have packed accordingly, darlin’.”

Grinning at his antics, I watch as Alesso pulls off his black hoodie and hands it back to me.

“I know you’re capable, I just don’t like the idea of you going in alone,” he says, making a face.

“I’ll stay in touch with Grant and Lucas through the bond links,” I tell him, putting on his sweatshirt and filling the pockets.

“Lucas?” Alesso asks, confused.

“Someone had to sing Sinatra to me through the exam,” I say, shrugging. I want to make things official with all of my alphas,including Oliver. I don’t want anyone left out, but I want to be able to spend time with them too.

“It was a really pitiful rendition,” Lucas chuckles. “Out you go, Isolde. Please be careful.”

Nodding, I reach for the button that lets me out the back, knowing that Grant will ensure he closes it again. Grant barely rolls to a stop as I slide out, my pockets full of goodies. Alesso’s sweatshirt has the deepest pockets and smells amazing.

Jogging toward the tree in the backyard, I jump for one of the limbs and pull myself up. I grimace because it’s harder than you’d think, and my upper arm strength is going to need some work after being starved. You’d be surprised how much muscle tone you can lose as well.