Page 60 of Savage Rule

That me for a moment. It’s true, Luca will want information on his sister. But would he want Scarlet dead when she can’t give it to him?

It’s not in his nature to kill for the hell of it. And that’s what I’m relying on.

“Don’t worry.” I kiss the top of her head and release her. “Luca is like my brother. I have to give him a chance and trust him.”

What I don’t say is that Carina is another matter.

I leave Scarlet behind, safe and sound, hidden from the threat Gideon poses. Away from Briar House if things don’t go as planned.

It’s almost midnight and the roads are quiet at this time of night. Although it’s not uncommon that I would still be at Briar House this late, it is rare that I would be called in.

I discover the reason the moment I enter the house and find everyone but Luca has gone off to bed.

“You don’t want Carina to know I’m here,” I tell him as he practically tip toes to the study.

“Not for this conversation.” He shuts the doors and motions for me to sit.

“Won’t she be pissed you’re keeping her out of yet something else?” I ask.

He goes to the wet bar set on one of the walls and pulls out a bottle. “She’ll understand.”

“Well, you got me out of bed. I’m here. What’s so important that you needed to talk right now?”

Luca pours two shots of vodka and hands me one before going around the desk to his seat. “Don’t tell me you were already asleep.”

“Nope. But I was in bed.” I down the drink and grimace. “You gave me your best cheap shit.”

“What you deserve for keeping me in the dark. What the fuck are you up to, Gunn? It’s not like you to avoid us.” He peers into his glass and swirls it.

I shrug. “Just doing my thing.”

His gaze affixed on the drink, he says, “We’ve been friends for a long time, you and me.”

“Yup.”

“We’ve had each other’s backs since we were kids. I trust you with my life.”

“Same.”

“I’ve never doubted your loyalty. Until now.” He lifts his eyes and in them there’s a question.Did you betray me?

Even though he didn’t voice it, I answer it. “If I betrayed you, I wouldn’t be here.”

“No. Which is why I’m giving you a chance to explain.”

“Explain what?”

“Kyle told me about the information he gave you on Scarlet. Or should I say, Tamberleigh Johnson.” He clasps his hand around the glass, almost spilling some of that shitty vodka. “You asked him to keep it from me. Why?”

“I had to know who I was fighting.”

“Bullshit!” He glances toward the door, as if he’s afraid he woke Carina, and quickly calms. “I know about Scarlet. I know she’s been coming to your place for days. In fact, I’m willing to bet she’s there now.”

I scowl. “You been spying on me?”

“You left me no choice. Ever since you returned from New Orleans, something changed. You stopped showing up, didn’t return my fucking calls. I knew something was going on.”

“So you had me followed.”

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