Page 47 of Ours to Keep

The gravity of the situation is pressing down on all of us. This is so much darker than just a twisted stepfather. The hunt for Richard is well and truly underway, and failure is not an option.

Chapter Twenty-Two

JAX

We managed to leave the club without drawing any unnecessary attention to ourselves, the frigid December air creeping into the car and the late hour adding an extra layer of wariness.

George told us all the information he has relating to Richard and Lily is kept on a laptop that he has locked in a safe in his office, so that’s where we’re headed.

He sits beside me, his trembling hands clutching the tissues I tossed at him to stop the bleeding. I’m pretty sure he has a broken nose, a reminder of River’s handiwork.

The silence in the car is thick with our barely contained fury. Knowing that someone else is also after Richard, while Mia is with him, is all the fuel we need to get to him before they do.

Elliot navigates the streets, his eyes flicking to the rearview mirror every few minutes, as if reassuring himself that George is still here. Like the fucker can go anywhere. He sure as hell wouldn’t have the balls to attempt to jump from a moving car, that’s for sure.

River is still wound up so tight, his knee bouncing with irritation—it’s why he’s in the front passenger seat and not in theback with George here. I wouldn’t put it past him to stab the fucker in the thigh.

“This is it,” George says asElliot slows down to one of the large steel structures. “Take the next turn into the next underground car park.”

“And you’re sure you can get us all up to your office without being seen?”

“Yes.”

“Good, because if you’re lying, George, it won’t just be you paying the price. It will be your family, too,” River tosses over his shoulder.

George audibly gulps. It’s a lie, but he doesn’t need to know that.

The car park is almost full, but being in the city, it’s not much of a surprise. Thankfully, it’s empty of people as Elliot pulls into a bay, cleverly avoiding the cameras.

“Move,” I say, my voice low, menacing. As soon as we’re out of the car, Elliot retrieves his bag from the boot. George’s eyes dart around the car park, and my hand automatically clamps down on his shoulder. “Remember what I said. Don’t be getting any ideas. You’ll regret it.”

He nods, all the entitled arrogance we’ve seen from him before long gone.

“I’m all set, boss,” Elliot says, joining us around the side of the car.

“Right, lead the way.” I wave my hand in front of me for George to go first.

Our footsteps echo around us, George’s heavy breaths fogging the air, fear rolling off him in palpable waves. He leads us to the main building but navigates towards a back alleyway and a back entrance.

Elliot is already looking for CCTV.

“You won’t find any cameras here,” George says, fishing out his keys and a key card and entering a code to shut off the alarm.

“If there is, I’ll find it and wipe it anyway,” he replies.

We’re led inside and into what appears to be some kind of service lift. The ride up to the top floor is torturously slow. George fidgets. I mean I get it, being trapped in this metal box with us three is enough to make anyone feel anxious.

Using his key card, the electronic door opens onto a pristine and deserted floor, the lights only coming on with our movement.

He leads us to an office at the end of the hall, his name and CEO printed onto a gold plaque.

Inside his office, the atmosphere shifts, the interior a monotonous beige, clashing with the raw tension we’ve brought with us.

George walks over to his desk, his movements stiff and jerky.

“Easy,” River says, taking an intimidating step forward as George reaches underneath.

The picture behind George shifts, revealing a hidden safe.

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