Page 27 of Marked

“Yes, I know that part,” she interrupts me briskly. “We’ve gone over this a million times, Cain. I’m not stupid.”

“I know you aren’t. I just want to make sure you’re safe.”

She shoots me a sharp glance. “I will be safe.”

Her words seem more like a mantra to herself than a response to me, and I wish I knew why. She has been suspiciously quiet all day, even more so than before.

And very different to the ecstatic and shivering mess she turns into when we fuck.

“Kyle will be at the back entrance, together with a bunch of the Scivola team,” I continue. “Jack and I will be a few streets away, and you’ll be able to talk to me the whole time.”

She nods along as I speak.

“I still don’t understand why you’re not the one who’ll be waiting for me right outside the bar,” she says. “Why will you be so far away from me?”

Because I’m lying to you. Because I can’t let you know that I’m scared shitless of losing control when hell breaks loose and the Covey realizes that we’re making a move on Charlie tonight.

“I won’t be far,” I promise. “Just far enough to raise no suspicion with the bodyguard who will undoubtedly be there to keep an eye on Charlie. The Covey guys know my face, but they are not familiar with Kyle. It’s for our own safety.”

She sighs, seeming unconvinced. I can’t blame her, and I would be lying if I didn’t admit that it flatters the shit out of me that she’s asking for my presence.

She likes you, a childish voice rings through my head. This girl fucking likes you after all you’ve done to her.

“You will be okay,” I insist, but it sounds more like a plea than assurance. “Wrapping him around your finger will be child’s play for someone like you. And once you’ve got him hooked, it’ll be even easier to spike his drink and to lure him to a little make-out session at the back.”

“A make-out session that will never actually happen,” she reminds me, her left eyebrow curving up.

I nod. “The guys will be outside and take care of Charlie as swiftly as possible. You just make sure to find Kyle and follow him into the car. Don’t hesitate, don’t look back, don’t get involved in whatever happens between Charlie and our guys.”

She nods as I speak, her lips pressed together and her eyes narrowed with focus.

I wish I could tell her. I wish I could make her understand that my priorities for tonight have shifted. Yes, getting to Charlie and using him to eliminate the Covey for good is still my main goal. But not at any cost, and definitely not if it means putting Riley’s life in danger.

I’ll go along with the Scivolas’ plan and obtain the data by brute force.

But what happens after that will be a surprise to everyone but me.

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