Page 74 of Riordan's Revenge

No one else’s pass worked for this floor, except for mine, Arran’s, and my family’s. A long time ago, Arran had brought us the design of the warehouse, his pet project. We’d invested in it, a way of tying him into our family—something that was important to Jamieson. The seventh floor on his plans had been left vacant.

Jamieson had made a suggestion. I was beyond grateful for that now, despite being pissed off with my brother.

The hallway mirrored the one on the floor above, with two doors either side. I unlocked one.

Manny followed me in. “I half forgot this was here.”

“It’s never been used.” I twirled around in the space. It was another apartment. Oak floors. Red-brick walls. Even a kitchen and bathroom, installed a few years ago but never touched.

“Until now?” Manny asked.

My belly tightened with anticipation. Here, Riordan and I could be locked away together. We could play house. Order food. Hide away from everything.

“I’m claiming it as my new home.”

I moved to the arched window that gave a view of the harbour walk outside. From the hall, there was access to the fire escape and the roof. Somewhere I liked to go for fresh air and to give myself headspace. It would be a home away from home.

The views over the city were to die for.

A shadow fell over me. In the reflection of the glass, Manny was right behind me, a hulking shape around my much smaller form.

My pulse skipped. Some instinct had me freezing up.

Manny wasn’t dangerous, was he?

I’d come up here alone with him, and no one else knew. No one would have a clue where I’d gone if I didn’t return. What was I thinking? The chief of Arran’s security team was a big man. Old enough to be my father, but stoic and strong. Quiet, but didn’t they say to watch out for those?

My skin crawled. I couldn’t see his expression in the reflection, but I could dive left and be on his weak side.

He moved in closer, leaning right over my shoulder.

I tensed, ready to make a break for it. I had one chance, and that meant taking him by surprise so I could reach the exit.

But the man chuckled. “Still a queue down there. I like to see it but I wonder if these people have work in the morning.”

I released a breath.

Manny stepped back. “Sorry, there’s me being a space invader. My wife tells me off for that. So, this place is yours?”

Fucking hell. I willed my heart to stop thumping.

“I need furniture,” I told him, my voice tight. “But until it arrives, can I please bring up the bed I’ve been using on floor five?”

“I’ll get everything sent up. Nice for Arran to have family nearby. He needs that.”

Ashamed of myself, I left the flat and dove into the lift, Manny happily moving with me.

I grabbed my phone. “Speaking of Arran, I need to tell him what I’m doing.”

I dialled him. He didn’t pick up. Neither did Shade.

“No one’s answering. Where are they?” I asked.

Manny gave an easy shrug. “Crew business.”

“I don’t suppose you’ll tell me anything more.”

“Correct. Need-to-know basis.” He tapped his nose.

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