Page 80 of Stay Toxic

“It is,” Artur confirmed. “He’s been awfully quiet lately. Lying low because of the police questioning him. But he must deem it safe to come out of hiding, because there he is.”

“Do you think he’s on to us having his child?” I asked.

“Yes,” Artur said. “I think he knows. My best guess is he was trying to get information out of Cayden about you since your security is so good he wasn’t able to get close.”

“Fuck,” I sighed. “You have Cayden?”

“He’s in the upstairs bathroom getting cleaned up. Alexi escorted him in about two minutes ago,” he answered.

I nodded. “Thank you, Artur.”

“No problem,” he left without another word, clearly understanding the dismissal.

“Someone found out that you had the baby?” Nastya asked.

“Looks like it,” I said. “Honestly, I kind of expected him to try me before now.”

“How did he get to Cayden, though?” Dima asked, brows creased. “Cayden has just as much, if not more, protection than you do.”

“Right place, right time?” I guessed. “I don’t know. I’ll ask him in a bit.”

“Okay then.” Milena leaned forward. “Tell us about Brecken.”

I felt my eyelid twitch. “Milena.”

“Come on,” she begged. “I like her a lot. I know that’s who it is.”

“I don’t think now’s the best time to bring someone into my life after what I just heard from Artur,” I admitted. “So it’s likely not going anywhere.”

“Or.” Dima crossed his arm over his much larger than it used to be chest. “This guy could target her. What’s his name, by the way?”

“Gabriel Stone,” I heard answered from the hallway. “And yes, he’s very much aware of her. Though, I don’t think, in anycorrelation to Shasha. He knew they were friends, and he thinks that if he can get her alone, then he’ll find out where his baby is.”

I glanced behind Dima to see Cayden coming into the room.

“Thanks for finding me,” he grumbled. “And now I have to go back home and clean house.”

“What happened?”

Cayden glanced at me, then looked away. “A fuck up on my part that I’ll be fixing as soon as I get home.” He paused. “The guy, Gabriel Stone, came to me hoping that I’d help him get to you. When I refused, he left. But not before saying he’d be leaving me an incentive package. I didn’t know what he meant until you called and said your men were missing. When I found out about the men, I went to investigate and found out I have a few rats that were willing to be bought. When I went about dealing with them, that’s when I let you know there were issues to be dealt with. As soon as I was off that phone call with you, two of my own guards assumed that I’d just warned you and decided to act then instead of their predetermined time with Stone. They stunned me and I woke up in that old cruise ship.”

“Awesome,” I drawled. “How many rats do you have, Cayden?”

His eyes went dark. “More than I should.”

“Are you staying the night?” he asked.

“No,” he said. “That’s all I have to share right now.” He paused. “But can I borrow a few guns?”

I nodded. “Find Alexi.”

Cayden left without a goodbye, leaving me with three very curious pairs of eyes staring at me.

“You helped her, and now you’re on some psychopath’s hit list?” Dima guessed.

“The guy’s a real piece of work,” I admitted. “We damn well know that he was responsible for running her down. I think, at first, he wasn’t aware that she wasn’t pregnant anymore. Buteventually he found out after the autopsy. At least, I assume. He must’ve put two and two together with me living on this block and her missing a baby. It’s not like I keep it a secret on where I live.”

“Maybe you should have,” he grumbled.

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