“Annika seems nice,” I say, trying to break the ice. They were roommates in Vegas, but I realize pretty quickly that it isn’t as innocent of a topic as I intended.
“Annika looks out for Annika. Just remember that,” she says, rolling her pale eyes. “She’s how we got involved in this whole mess to begin with.”
I nod. “Yeah, I was really bitter about that too. Did those guys hurt you or?—”
“I’m fine, Laken. They were so uncoordinated and pathetic that I probably could have gotten away if I really tried.”
“But you led them to reach out to Ranger.” I frown, trying to follow her thought process. “Because you knew he needed to kill them to finish wiping out the Andrettis?”
“They were able to get you back under way shittier circumstances. I figured it would be safest to know the same guys were coming to rescue me.”
“I know you know where Ranger lives. Why didn’t you tell them?” I ask, tilting my head.
“Because you’re my sister. I didn’t want them calling in backup. You could have gotten hurt. I never wanted you anywhere near any of this.”
I stretch out a hand and squeeze her thigh. “Why steal from Will?”
“Why not?” she scoffs. “He’s a cheating dick, and it’s not like we couldn’t use the money. I thought he deserved a little revenge for the way he treated you.”
Well, I’m not going to dispute that, but I’m pretty sure he’s more than paid for what he did to me.
What he did to Locke is another story. It’s obvious I ended up with the right guys. I’m clearly just as vengeful as any of them.
“I don’t even see how you can be mad at me about that. The two of you weren’t together.” She huffs.
I don’t care.
Or I wouldn’t if it only negatively impacted Will.
It’s that she used me to get what she wanted without even consulting me.
“Have you made a decision on what you’d like to do? Ranger is offering to pay for another treatment facility. He called in some favors and found a spot in California. You can leave in the?—”
“You knew your bonded alpha was going to threaten me?” she hisses, slapping my hand away. “You know he kills people, right? He’s a serial killer, like the kind you see on TV.”
I bite my cheek to stop from snapping something I can’t take back—like threatening to murder her with my bare hands if she even thinks about running her mouth and putting Ranger and the rest of our pack at risk.
“I love you,” I bite out. “I want you to be happy and fulfilled. More than that, I want you to be healthy. I hope you’ll accept the flight and inpatient treatment that Ranger set up.” I climb off the bed. “We’ll make sure you get replacements for all the necessities—clothes, shoes, toiletries, and stuff like that. If you stick it out the entire time, then I’ll try to help you find an apartment and a job, but either way, I think it would be best if you wait with Annika in her room.”
Lyra shakes her head. “I’m not going back to rehab. Have your alpha change my flight to Vegas. I’m going home.”
A million logistical questions run through my mind.
How will she get her car from Chicago to Vegas?
She hasn’t been there in a while.
I don’t think she or Annika have paid the rent, so logically speaking, I would assume they’ve been evicted.
Not to mention, wondering what happened to all her stuff.
The power is probably off, and if she hasn’t paid her car insurance, that was likely canceled too.
The unfortunate thing is…
She’s already made up her mind.
I can see it on her face.