Page 42 of Word to the Wise

Not that it means he hasn’t.

Sage got Reed a new phone last week, and she’s been spending a lot of time on her computer. But I don’t plant those seeds of worry in Sage because I’m not ready to face them myself.

Besides, Sage is wired lately with the stress of Lyla not feeling great and Reed refusing to move to the compound.

“It’s been a month and a half. How long do you think he’s going to keep this up?”

Sage wipes his hair back. “Wish I knew.”

“What does he want?”

“Her.”

Knowing that and hearing it aren’t the same thing. Obviously, Carter is still after Reed, but I was hoping at this point, his frustration had more to do with her articlethan her. No such luck, and I shouldn’t be surprised, given I know how priceless she is.

Sage shakes his head. “Carter thinks I’m holding her hostage.”

“Big fucking ego on that guy, huh?” I breathe out a laugh. “He actually thinks she’d go back to him?”

“She did for six years.”

Sage’s jaw clicks and my fists clench. He’s right, and for some stupid reason I hadn’t considered that. This isn’t the first time Carter’s done this. She’s gone back before. I don’t know what I’d do if she chose to do it again.

She wouldn’t—she can’t.

Maybe the girl who showed up that first night would have let him talk her into it. She was shaking and scared. But Reed isn’t that girl deep down. She’s strong and fearless. I refuse to let my mind entertain it.

“She’s not going back,” I say, even if it’s only to convince myself. “So, what are we going to do about him?”

“Still figuring that out.” Sage steps into the room. “He’s been smart and has stayed in San Francisco for the time being. He knows the Twisted Kings can’t step into that territory without starting shit with the Iron Skulls, so he’s waiting me out. But it won’t last forever, and I’m not starting a turf war when he’s bound to leave eventually.”

“What makes you think he will?”

“Because I’m not the only one who’s patient. He’ll try to get Reed eventually if she doesn’t go to him. We just need to be ready once he does.”

“He’s got clout. Money. Connections.” Including my father. “Even if he does show up, you can’t just bury himat the compound and expect they won’t come looking. Especially since his ex is your sister. You’ll be the first stop in the investigation.”

“Unfortunately, you’re right. Which is why I’ve got bigger things in mind than just burying him six feet under.”

“Like what?”

“You can’t take guys like Carter down when they’re at the top. You have to knock ‘em over first. Play the long game. While I’d rather take a knife to his face, that’s not hitting him where it counts. Only one thing matters to shitheads like him.”

“Money.”

“Yep, and Reed said Carter invested in your father’s hotel expansion in San Francisco, so I think that’s our in.”

“You want to hit his finances, and you want to use my dad to do it?”

Sage nods.

“You know I don’t talk to him, right?” Just the thought has my skin crawling.

“I don’t need you to.” Sage plants a hand on the back of the chair in the center of the room, dropping his voice so no one can hear us. “But we both know the shit your dad’s capable of. There’s no way his hands are clean. That’s why you’ve got my sister writing that article, to dig up the dirt.”

He makes it sound like I’m using Reed when really, I’m just trying to help her get vengeance on her ex.

At least, I think.