Page 92 of Riordan's Revenge

And though I drifted off quickly from the night of drama and stress, I suspected the opposite would be true for her.

I wokein the late afternoon to find myself alone in bed.

“Cassie?” I called out into the quiet of the apartment.

No reply. No sound came from the bathroom or elsewhere in the spacious pad. The bedroom door was open a crack, but when I strode out in my boxer shorts to hunt through the rooms, she wasn’t there.

I didn’t like the silence. Missed her being near.

Worse, it sent thoughts racing through my head. Bad ones. Dark ones. Thoughts that curdled my blood.

Finding my phone, I tapped her out a message. Her reply came instantly, allowing me to take a breath.

Cassie: Didn’t want to wake you. I had an SOS from Dixie so came down to the brothel. Here when you’re ready. Manny’s around.

It settled me a small amount, but the questions didn’t stop. What if she hadn’t replied? What if I couldn’t find her?

I paged over to a new message, this time with Shade. That guy was into enough shady shit to earn his nickname a hundred times over. Last night, he’d smiled in my presence. It was enough to make me take the risk.

Riordan: Do you have a method for tracking another person?

Shade: Bodily or a vehicle?

Shade: In both cases, aye, Riot, I do. Care to explain?

Cassie tracked my bike. Seemed only fair that I had a solution in return.

After a fast shower and a much-needed shave, I was dressing when a knock sounded at the door.

Shoving my feet into my boots, I answered it. Manny stood the other side, a huge bunch of flowers held out.

I snorted a laugh. “You shouldn’t have.”

He pressed his lips together. “They aren’t from me.”

“For Cassie? I’ll take them for her.”

Manny handed over the bouquet. “They’re not for Cassie either.”

I squinted at them. “Sure you’re delivering them to the right place?”

“I am. By the way, you’re off the clock for tonight. Arran’s throwing a party. He made a point of suggesting you hang out with the crew. Get your face known a little more.”

I inclined my head. I’d barely spoken to anyone since coming back, only making small talk with Lonnie and Mick who’d helped guard Cassie at her house. Lonnie had been off with me, so I had work to do in making friends. “See you down there.”

He left me to the strange bouquet made up of darker-coloured flowers, berries, and structural leafy twigs. Blues, purples, greys. Not the roses you’d buy your mother. I carried them over to the kitchen and set them on the counter, discovering a card in their depths. It was addressed to me.

A strange feeling crossed my chest.

I opened the envelope and pulled it out, flipping it to read the words.

To Riordan.Did a girl ever buy you flowers?

I like being all your firsts.

Love you so much it hurts (even when I’m pretending not to) – your Cassie

Holy fuck.

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