Page 64 of Savage Rule

We stare at each other in that way we did in his study, each of us searching for something. Forgiveness, trust, and something to remind us of the bond we’ve had since we were kids.

“You’ve changed,” I tell him.

“So have you.” He sighs and shakes his head. “I’m sorry I let you down.”

“Yeah, me too.”

“Here.” He takes a step closer. From the pocket of his leather jacket, he produces my cell phone and keys. Then from his holster, he tugs his gun and hands it to me. “You’ll need this. There are several men on the way to the orphanage.”

My gaze snaps to his. “How the fuck did you know where she’d be?”

“That’s what I would have done if I didn’t trust me either.” Suddenly, he’s the old Luca again. The man who had my back always.

“Go with me,” I say on a whim.

But when he says, “I can’t. We’re not on the same side anymore,” it doesn’t surprise me. He’s right. We have both changed. “Go. I’ll try to call off the men, but they’re just as loyal to Carina as they are to me.”

“That’s going to be a problem for you.”

“My problem. Not yours. Go.”

“Okay.” Feeling that somehow this might be the last time I ever speak to him, I add, “We did have fun, though, didn’t we?”

His mouth pulls up to one side. “Yeah. Now, go get your girl.”

I don’t need to be told twice.

20

SCARLET

It’s been hours and I’ve yet to hear a word from Gunn. I dig my fingers into my hair, tugging at it with worry.

This is exactly why people in my line of work avoid personal attachments. We know only too well the chances of never coming home.

I grab my phone off the chest of drawers and stare at the screen. “Just call me already, dammit!”

But much to my dismay, I don’t have the power of manifestation.

Is he still at Briar House? Was he able to convince Luca and Carina to give me an audience? Will they give me asylum when Gideon discovers I’ve chosen Gunn over the vow I made to him?

My stomach clenches and I dig my fingers into it, attempting to quell the burn I know is coming.

Finally, my phone rings. It’s him.

I’ve never punched theacceptbutton so hard. “Hello. Hello!”

“They’re coming,” he screams into the phone, and though it’s hard to make out over the sound of his bike and the wind hitting the receiver, his next word come through perfectly clear. “Run!”

My skin instantly prickles, that feeling of being doused with ice water coming over me.

“Who?” I ask, but I’m already taking count of all the weapons on my body and I snatch my gun from the bed. I pull back the slide and check that there’s a bullet in the chamber and fifteen in the magazine.

“The alliance. They know where you are. I’m on the way, but you have to get out of there.” There’s some strange background noise, honking and tires screeching. “Fuck!”

“Gunn!” I scream just as the line goes dead. “Fuck.”

I run out of the room that used to be Gunn’s when he was a child, and race toward the stairs. But I come to an immediate halt when I hear footsteps coming from the first floor.

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