Page 96 of Not Ready

The music for the intro of a movie plays through the speakers, making Vale jolt.

“Turn it down a bit, would you?” I nudge Bishop with my foot, which happens to be jabbing his lower back, since I’m not getting a lovely foot massage.

He complies as Holt comes over, grabbing his phone. “There’s someone at the gate who needs clearance.”

My hackles immediately rise.

Andrew Landis would have to be exceptionally stupid to come here.

Holt raises his phone to his ear and heads toward the formal dining room, likely to give himself some privacy.

The garage door slams open, and my head tilts. I can’t see anything from this position. Well, nothing past the kitchen island and the top of the refrigerator.

Bishop carefully moves Vale’s feet to the couch as he shoves himself up and off the cushion.

“What’s up, fuckers? I guess I know how long it takes for everyone to forget me. It hasn’t even been a year. The toddlers at the gate had a literal shit fit. I finally got bored and put their asses on the ground. It might be time to bump up their training. It didn’t take much effort.”

I exhale in pure relief. That’s a very familiar voice.

“Jesus Christ,” Bishop chuckles. “Garza, how the hell are you?”

The younger Garza has been on assignment with Ranger for the better part of a year.

I vaguely wonder if his older brother, or possibly his mother, filled him in on the multitude of changes that have occurred recently.

“I heard you got shot.” Garza chuckles. “That’s barely a scratch.”

The chaos of the two loudmouths distracts me, but my nose twitches with Vale’s scent.

She smells terrified.

I’m even more shocked when she rolls off the couch, hitting her knees on the carpet.

“Oh, love.” I sit up quickly and attempt to help her up. “He’s an old friend. Nothing to worry about.”

Chapter Thirty-One

Vale

My knees and hands hit the carpet painfully. Goddammit, I was supposed to hit my feet, so I could run. My hands shake violently as I try to push myself up, but my vision is so hazy, I don’t really know which way is up.

My chest rises and falls in rapid pants.

I’ve got to get out of here! My brain screams it at me on a loop as my fingers dig into the plush carpet.

“Oh, love,” Mercy says, moving to help me up. “He’s an old friend. Nothing to worry about.”

I was set up.

My thoughts the first day were true.

They led me here.

Is Andrew even as dangerous as they say he is?

Mercy makes a grab for my shoulders. He pulls me up and brushes the hair back from my face.

“Don’t touch me,” I hiss, slapping his hand.

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