Page 35 of Riordan's Revenge

Music started. ‘Rush’ by Dutch Melrose and benny mayne.

I sighed and checked myself. There was a reason I’d tied her up, beyond the fact it was the sexiest thing I’d ever imagined.The pull to her was insane. A full-force draw I temporarily couldn’t ignore. Restraining her hands had stopped her from touching me, an event which would have had me lose my mind completely. Yet a simple fact remained. I couldn’t get involved with her. It wasn’t fair and it wasn’t safe. For either of us.

She was right to kick me out. It was what I deserved.

I exhaled and slumped on the sofa cushions. Thank fuck for logic. I just had to follow that path.

After a while, the music cut out, and Cassie emerged from her room, her movements brisk and her attention on her phone. She took the opposite end of the couch from me, some kind of material in one hand and her phone in the other.

“I’m talking to your sisters. Say hi.”

She turned the camera on me. Onscreen, Gen and Everly peered out. Both held the same piece of cloth and string Cassie did.

Genevieve squinted at the phone. “Is that a black eye?”

I rubbed my face. My whole body ached now the adrenaline had worn off. “Cassie has a mean right hook. What are you all doing?”

Everly held up her hands. “We’re learning embroidery. I need a hobby so am exploring options. Cassie and Genevieve are supporting me. This is a sampler, and it contains all the different stitches we need to practice. If we do it together, it’ll be fun.”

‘Fun’ sounded dubious, and Cassie sewing was a far sight stranger than seeing her with a blade or any other weapon. I eyed her. She pouted back at me then set the phone down on the coffee table, propped up on its side so we were both in shot.

Threading her needle, Genevieve scrunched up her nose. “While we work on the first, what is that, a straight stitch? Surely I can’t fuck this up. Anyway, while I try, I want to tell you both about the march that’s happening in Deadwater this weekend.”

“What kind of march?” I asked.

“For women’s right to safety on the streets. There’s been protests in town and outside of the warehouse.”

Cassie jerked forward. “They’re protestingus? I knew from Arran the reporters had said we were to blame, but people believe them?”

Gen nodded. “Apparently. There’s been some shitty gossip videos made over how the strip club attracted the killer. The proof being that Natasha’s body was left outside and Alisha was an employee.”

Cassie stabbed her sampler, drawing through the baby-blue cotton. “That’s bullshit.”

“Horrible,” Everly agreed.

Gen clucked her tongue, her focus on the needle she was still trying to load with thread. “It’s also good. In an unexpected twist, those same social media warriors patrolling outside in search of clout are protecting us.”

I nodded. “Makes sense. Red can do even less to attack the skeleton crew with such a big audience.”

Cassie gave a small smile of approval. Coming from the queen of gang strategy, I got a glimmer of pride.

Gen continued, “Exactly. Soon, we’ll bring an end to this. Until then, we can wait behind a shield of morally outraged keyboard warriors.”

That word replayed in my mind. “Soon?” I repeated. As in Bronson was almost caught? It meant we could go back.

“Soon.” My sister poured meaning into the word.

I ducked out of the conversation, reclining and thinking about the strange mission I was on, not voluntarily at first but by choice now. When it was over, I’d be back to life in the warehouse. I’d see Cassie around, but she wouldn’t be next to me all the time.

An odd surge of emotion curled in me. It felt suspiciously like regret.

Distracting myself with my phone, I flipped through the cameras, then messaged Tyler to check in.

Tyler: All is quiet. I’m going to grab some sleep. I suggest you do, too.

To the tune of Cassie cursing her stitches, then to a telenovela she put on the TV as background noise, I let unconsciousness drag me under. It happened quickly. I’d been on high alert and couldn’t remember the last time I’d closed my eyes, but the orgasm took enough off the edge to allow me to relax.

The blackness was a welcome and warm escape.

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