Page 169 of Hate Me

Back home.

As I stubbed out my smoke, rustling from the cornfields caught my attention.

I frowned, noting that there was no wind whipping through the area.

Animals, maybe?

I scanned the area for several moments, just to make sure.

Nothing.

It was probably just the aftermath of that takedown fucking with me, making me extra paranoid or something.

I rolled my eyes at myself, then made my way over to my Audi.

My phone buzzed in my tactical jacket and I pulled it out to see a message from a certain somebody that I’d been waiting on.

Ash: Working on it. Based on what you’ve told me, suspicion regarding Mancini is valid, my friend. Trust your instincts.

Caleb: Appreciate it, Ash.

Ash: Like I said, you need anything down the road, I’ve got you. Getting you intel is the least I can do.

Caleb: Incredibly hard to obtain intel, though.

Ash: Then you came to the right persistent bastard, didn’t you?

Caleb: I never doubted it.

Ash: Miss you.

Caleb: You’re much more emotionally available than usual. That victory worked wonders.

Ash: Something I’m working on. Just with my inner circle of course.

Caleb: Of course. Miss you too.

Ash: It’s good for you being back with King and your loves, though. You belong.

I smiled. Yeah. Yeah, I did.

Caleb: Talk to you soon.

Ash: Don’t be a stranger. So long as King allows it.

I rolled my eyes at that last part. Of course he had to go there.

I went to pocket my phone when it started ringing.

I looked to see Cas calling.

Excitement thrummed through me.

He was finished with his op too.

It was over.

He’d done it!

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