Page 39 of Victorious Vice

“Eagle doesn’t know?”

“You know I love our littlest brother as much as you do,” Falcon says, “but he hasn’t been the most trustworthy person.”

I bite my lower lip. Eagle’s my baby. He’s always been my baby. But Falcon is right. He’s made some stupid-ass decisions, and now, something else is going on with him. Something that apparently involves Leif’s sister, Scarlett Ramsey. No one is forthcoming about it.

“I see you’re not disagreeing with me,” Falcon says.

“No, no.”

“Is there anything else you need before I go?”

“Are you kidding?” I look around. “This place is self-explanatory.”

“I’ll have eyes on you at all times.”

“No.” I nervously eye a security camera in the corner. “I don’t want someone surveilling me while I’m sleeping or in the shower.”

“No, of course not. But I’ll have eyes on the place. I’ll know if anyone comes or goes. Jared has been briefed on everything about the house. No one will know you’re here.”

“What if someone saw us drive up?”

“Trust me. No one did.”

I cross my arms. “If you say so.”

I want to trust my brother. I want to believe him. Then I think of that drone that flew over my house while Vinnie and I were there.

How can I be sure I’m still not being watched? How can I be sure there aren’t drones flying above the safe house even as we speak?

“I need to go now,” Falcon says. “No one knows you’re here. I haven’t told Savannah. Only you and Jared know.”

I frown. “You haven’t told Hawk?”

“I haven’t. The fewer who know, the better.”

I bite my lip again. “I truly am in danger, aren’t I?”

Falcon nods solemnly. “I could lie to you, Ray. Try not to worry you. But you’ve already faced death. You been through the worst thing a body can go through. I won’t belittle you by lying to you.”

“Do you know who’s been texting me on the burner?”

Falcon shakes his head. “I don’t know. I’ve got Leif looking into it, and he’s the best. But burners are notoriously hard to track. Impossible in most cases. At least whoever it is seems to have your best interests at heart.”

“I wish I could remember more about that Uber driver. The one who gave me the burner. It’s just… That day is such a blur.”

“I understand. We’ll get to the bottom of this, Raven. Our family just got you back in one piece. We’re not going to lose you.”

“I’d prefer that too,” I say, letting out a nervous chuckle.

“Then stay here. Lie low. Work on your nonprofit, but let others do the legwork.”

I kick at the floor. “It’s not like you’re giving me a choice.”

“You always have a choice, Raven.” He looks into my eyes. “You’re not a prisoner. But I’m asking you, as your brother. Please stay here.”

“You’re not going to play the bone marrow card?” Another nervous chuckle.

He grins. “I can’t play that card with you. That wouldn’t be fair. I’m simply playing the brother card. I need you to be safe.”

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