Page 114 of Connor's Claim

They began an analysis of the Four Milers’ locations, where they knew Convict had been, and where Alisha might go. In a few minutes, they had a plan, and the crew members left to organise others.

Arran turned to Connor, an air of urgency hanging over them both. “It’s you or me.”

Connor held his focus. “This is my fault. I should fix it.” At Arran’s scrutiny, he continued. “Alisha and I spoke a few days ago. I knew she was upset but I didn’t take time to listen.”

Arran released a breath. “When does she ever share? I could’ve picked up on that if I was paying attention, but she’s always just been there. Save your guilt. I’m going to pull you out of this one. Stay here and manage the warehouse while I’m gone. Handle the shit that needs handling.” Arran’s gaze slid to Genevieve and back.

It took me an embarrassingly long second to get their meaning. Arran wasn’t willing to leave us and the warehouse unprotected, and my relief was sharp at the fact Connor would be the one to stay.

Connor growled in defeat but nodded, then after Arran and Genevieve said an emotional goodbye, the search party exited. We were left in the main corridor, with the familiar sounds of the nightclub’s bass mixing with the busy strip club’s sleazier tunes.

I curled my hand into Connor’s, and he squeezed my fingers, but his distraction was plain. He wanted to be out there, too.

Cassie broke the silence. “What are we waiting for? We have prisoners who make hurting women a sport. Let’s fucking interrogate them.”

Chapter 39

Everly

Connor directed us to the basement. The sounds of music grew fainter, and sweat broke out on my brow. I glanced at Genevieve.

“Are you going to be okay down here?”

She’d been hunted here during the game. I’d found myself thinking about it often.

She pushed her blonde hair behind her ear, and a flush spread across her cheeks. “Arran and I spent some time down here recently. I have better memories now.”

We entered the cavernous space, bright-yellow lights spilling over the vast concrete expanse. I imagined how a hundred years ago, this was where they’d take goods in and out of the warehouse, via the huge doors that exited onto the rear car park just above the height of the river. Now, a glimmer of pink from one of the neon club signs outside glowed at the edges of a high window, a testament to its changed use.

Around the edge of the room, a metal gantry ran the length with steps up and down to it and a suspended room above the floor. An overseer’s office.

Our target, I gathered.

Ahead, Cassie marched on as if she was ready to throw down. At the bottom of the nearest set of steps, she spun around and regarded Connor. “They’re in there, right?”

He grumbled agreement.

“How are we going to do this thing? Those men are three of our suspects who could’ve played a part in killing innocent women. What can we do to them?”

He straightened his jeans at his ankle, a knife appearing in his hand which I’d had no idea was holstered there. “Other than killing them? Go for it.”

“Can I hurt them?”

“If it helps extract information, do it. I’ll make sure that when we let them go they’ll keep their mouths shut. I only made the mayor choose between them to show me where his priorities lie. But whatever ye do, Piers is last. I need to break something of his.” His gaze came to me. “I captured them for ye, Everly. Take control whenever ye want.”

I swallowed fear. “I can’t hurt another person.”

Genevieve hugged her arms around herself, her expression saying the same. “I need to know if Slaughter knew Cherry was pregnant, but I can’t torture him. Cassie, you’re voted in as our champion.”

Cassie’s blue eyes darkened. She held out her hand to Connor, and he offered her the weapon, hilt first with his fingertips on the blade.

She claimed it. Tested the edge with her nail, just like I’d seen him do in the past.

I’d always been proud of strong women, my heart happy when a confident girl stepped up at a conference and spoke on asubject she was an expert in. Or when she commanded a room and got everyone organised. A buzz of the same respect filled me now.

In a little black dress, with glittering silver fingernails, one now with a notch taken out of it from the knife, and her black curls loose, Cassie was a vision of vicious and deadly lass. If any part of what we needed to do now fazed her, she didn’t let it show.

With the devil in her eyes, she stalked up the steps.

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