Page 102 of Wicked Little Nightmare

Lakey snorted. "Really, babe? We just finished planning to take down an evil organization, and you want pepperoni?"

I grinned. "What can I say? Plotting world domination makes me hungry. Besides, if we're going out in a blaze of glory, might as well have some garlic bread to go with it."

As I dialed, a thought struck me. "Hey, Sarah," I called out, "you want in on this order? Or are ex-Chimera agents too good for greasy pepperoni?"

Sarah's lips twitched. "Make it double Hawaiian with sweet and smoky sauce and you've got a deal."

"Pineapple on pizza?" I clutched my chest in mock horror. "And here I thought Chimera was evil."

The laughter that followed was strained, but genuine. For a moment, we were just a group of damaged people who were going to break bread. The calm before the storm. I savored it, knowing full well the chaos that lay ahead. But hey, that's what made life interesting, right?

As I hung up the phone, Sarah's face suddenly turned serious as she looked down at her phone. The playful atmosphere evaporated like mist in the morning sun.

"I need to head out," she announced, her voice tight with urgency. "Kyle's waiting. He wants to meet you guys. I’m going to go pick him up and I’ll be back, alright?"

"Another unexpected guest" I drawled, trying to keep my tone light. "And here I thought we were just getting to know each other. I just ordered pizza."

Sarah's eyes met mine, unflinching. "Every second I'm here puts you at risk. I’ve managed to disappear, off their radar, but you never know. They're relentless, and they've got resources we can only imagine. Kyle can keep us safe while we figure shit out. We will be back to eat pizza with you, I promise."

"How long do you think we have?" Lakey asked, her voice uncharacteristically quiet.

Sarah shook her head. "It's hard to say. A day, maybe. A couple, if we're lucky. You need to be ready to move at a moment's notice."

I glanced at Lakey, contemplating letting this Kyle guy into our house. If he was as dangerous as Sarah said, it would take both of us to take him out, if it came to that.

"Alright," I said, standing up. "Go. Do what you need to do. But remember, Sarah, if this is some elaborate setup, if you're playing us--"

She cut me off. "I know. You'll hunt me down and make me wish I'd never been born. I get it. You forget I just saw your handiwork. I know you’ve been thrill killing, I know you’ve been hunting your foster families. Trust me when I say, Cam, I know what you’re both capable of and I don’t want to be on the receiving end."

Lakey stood too, her posture tense. I could practically hear the gears turning in her head, weighing the risks, considering every angle. Finally, she nodded.

"Go and get him," she said, her voice soft but steely. "But don't make us regret this."

As Sarah headed for the door, I couldn't shake the feeling that we were standing on the edge of a precipice. One wrong move, and we'd all go tumbling into the abyss. But I felt more alive than I had in years.

With the soft click of the door, she was gone, leaving us alone with our thoughts and the lingering scent of bleach in the air.

Thirty-Six: Lakey

An hour later, there was a knock at the door. Cam's eyes met mine as my grip tightened around my knife. If this guy made one wrong move, I’d jump his bones like a banshee, and not in the fun way.

I crept to the peephole, my breath catching as I took in the hulking figure on the other side. Jesus, this guy was built like a brick shithouse. Tattoos snaked up his neck, disappearing into a close-cropped hairline. Next to him stood Sarah. She looked up at him in adoration, so much love visible on her face it made me want to puke.

"Pizza delivery," the guy rumbled, his voice a gravelly baritone that sent chills down my spine.

I glanced back at Cam, who gave a barely perceptible nod.Showtime.

I plastered on my sweetest smile and swung the door open. "Come on in."

Kyle shouldered his way inside, his presence filling the cramped apartment. My skin prickled as he sized up Cam, two predators eyeing each other across the savannah.

Sarah smiled. “We intercepted the guy on the way up. Nice young fellow. Gave him a tip, too.”

I rolled my eyes at her, watching as they walked into the kitchen.

"Nice place," Kyle grunted, his gaze sweeping over the peeling wallpaper and water-stained ceiling.

I bristled at the sarcasm in his tone.This dump might be a shithole, but it was our shithole.

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