Page 89 of Ruin My Life

One I plan to bury six feet under.

“We need to look into this,” I say, pacing behind Lee’s chair, “but right now, our top priority is finding Lola. She’s connected to Brie somehow, and I want to know who she’s working for this time.”

Monroe grimaces at the mention of her—and I don’t blame him, knowing his history with her.

Lola DuBoisis a viper wrapped in expensive silk.

She’d probably sell out her own mother for the right price. She has no loyalty. No code. Just cold ambition beneath red lips and stilettos. One day it’s going to catch up with her.

Maybe that day’s coming sooner than she thinks.

“Good news on that,” Lee says, tapping at his keyboard. His fingers fly across the keys, and a second later, he swivels his monitor toward me. “She’s been spotted at a club on the south side calledBlush. Four separate times in the last two weeks. Might be her go-to spot for in-person meetings.”

I lean over the back of his chair, reading the surveillance notes. The address lights a fuse beneath my ribs.

“Lee, I’m going to fucking kiss you,” I mutter, clapping him on the shoulder with enough force to jostle his chair.

“Might want to hold that thought,” he replies, frowning. “Blushhas a rule: women’s choice. No men get in without being vetted by a woman at the door.”

Silence falls.

All four of us glance at each other, taking inventory of the obvious lack of estrogen in the room.

Fuck.

Sure, we could stake it out—wait for her to leave, tail her to wherever she’s staying. But knowing Lola, she’s got exit strategies sewn into her wardrobe. She won’t walk outwithout at least two armed shadows and a Plan B hidden in her purse.

“What about Brie?” Connor offers casually from his spot against the far wall.

I glance at him, narrowing my eyes.

It’s both the best and worst idea I’ve heard all day.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Monroe says flatly, arms crossed. “She’s volatile. Unpredictable. We won’t be able to control what she does inside.”

Connor meets his stare without flinching. “And you really think she’ll sit back while someone out there’s trying to kill her for information?”

Monroe’s jaw tics, but he doesn’t answer.

Connor pushes off the wall. “Look, the faster we ID who hired Lola, the faster we neutralize the threat. Brie wants answers. This gives her a way to get them. It’s a win-win scenario”

Monroe, Lee, and I all stare at him.

It’s not uncommon for Connor to have good ideas. But considering most of his plans involve going in guns blazing or winging it with zero backup, it’s always a little disorienting when he says something that makes actual sense.

And he’s not wrong.

“He’s got a good point,” Lee says. “Speaking with Lola inside a territory she feels comfortable in will likely help too. She’ll be more talkative if she thinks she’s in control.”

I rub my hand along my jaw, grinding my teeth.

Brie’s not a soldier. She doesn’t follow orders. And the thought of sending her into a snake’s nest…

Itterrifiesme.

Not because I doubt her strength. Because Idon’t.

She’ll walk in with fire in her eyes and blood in her teeth if she has to. She’ll take risks I wouldn’t. And I’ll be left watching, waiting, hoping I don’t lose her before I figure out why the hell I care so goddamn much.