Page 80 of Ready or Not

I nod as he unlocks the truck. It’s still hard to believe that these sweet guys are capable of being so ruthless, but when I’m with them, I feel safer than ever before.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Bishop

We pay off the jumpy delivery driver after explaining that we’re personal protection, and he nearly delivered a package from a stalker to a victim. He looks a little green around the edges when we warn him what Landis is capable of.

It takes less than twenty minutes for a couple of the guys from Assurance to make it to town with the scanner we use to check for mechanical components and explosives. The box doesn’t hit for anything that would indicate it’s a bomb, but it could still have biologicals or other dangerous substances.

As such, we send it back with the scared-as-fuck new guys. It doesn’t bode well for their long-term sustainability that they’re so jumpy. The box is in the bed of their truck for the ride. They’re really going to have to toughen up.

Cooper takes Vale back to the house while Holt, Mercy, and I open the box in the command center.

It’s difficult to keep my composure as Holt pulls out the first item—a pair of Vale’s panties.

It’s not like I’m psychic. I remember seeing them on her one night when she talked to me while she was getting ready for her live stream. That was back before she was even showing.

Jesus fucking Christ.

I just need to get my hands on that motherfucker, and this entire thing will be over.

“Okay, this looks like a mini version of the shrine I found in the apartment he abandoned in DC,” Holt says, taking a step back.

“There’s an envelope tucked in the side.” Mercy tilts his head, gesturing to the box.

“Do we really need to read his manifesto?” Holt scoffs but grabs the envelope, ignoring the other clothing items. “There’s like two of her order pads from work. What a weird thing to be fixated on.”

“It’s his attempt to torment Vale and Garza over the time they lost due to his actions,” Mercy says. “Get on with it. Or I’ll grab my own gloves.”

Holt carefully opens the prongs as my anger rises.

I’m already shaking, and whatever is inside is only going to raise my blood pressure. He opens the top and reaches inside. It’s a stack of pictures with a folded piece of paper. I can’t see much, but the top picture is of Vale at work. It’s grainy, like it was taken with a cell phone camera and blown up to the eight by ten size they all are.

Holt drops the stack and slides them apart, looking for any residue or hidden notes. He grabs the paper, flipping it open. “Honey, it’s been too long. Don’t worry, I’ll be seeing you in person again real soon. That’s all it says.” He flips it around, showing both of us.

I grab the pictures without gloves, which isn’t protocol. My hands actually shake as I flip through them. There are more than a couple of Vale sleeping.

“Is this her shower curtain?” I flip the photo, showing them the image. I’ve only seen her room through a camera lens.

“It is,” Mercy says.

I exhale a little, surprised flames don’t shoot from my nose like a motherfucking dragon. This is blatant proof he was sneaking around in her room, not only when she was asleep, but also while she was awake.

“We need Ranger to get his shit together. Kate Wilson has some explaining to do. Ranger never mentioned why he wanted to speak to her?” I ask, even though I already know the answer.

“No,” Holt growls, poking through the other items in the box. “This hiding shit is getting old, fast.”

“Perhaps you and I should go and have another chat with the Lucky in Love delivery driver?” Mercy suggests, looking at Holt. “Now that he’s calmed down a bit, he might remember details that escaped him earlier.”

“Let’s do it.” Holt nods. “Are you coming?”

I shake my head. “No, I’m sticking close to Vale.”

“Teams of two,” Mercy says distractedly. “God, I wish he would just make a move, so we could end the waiting.”

“Me fucking too.”

“You have to eat at least something,” I tell my pouty omega. “Not much. Just something to give you a little energy.”

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