Page 86 of His Reluctant Savior

I shifted Owen and laid him on the couch. I swear that kid could sleep through anything. Then again, he had a rough time lately.

Sid squatted in front of me and rested a hand on my knee. “This isn’t going to be easy. Just because most agreed to this decision doesn’t mean they’re going to trust you. Only proving yourself will do that.”

I sighed. “I’m aware.”

“And Sully will never like you.”

“I don’t need him to.”

“Let’s take you and Owen to my place here in the city. I’ve got a condo nearby. You need to rest, Boy Scout. How’s that head?”

“Throbbing.”

“Hopefully, by the time we’re ready to hit these men, you’ll be good.”

“I’m going, regardless. Donotleave me out of this.”

Sid nodded. “You got it.”

I lay on Sid’scomfortable couch, resting my head on the armrest with my eyes closed. He kept the lights dim for me since I’d been too stimulated today.

He had a nice place, but I never got a chance to look around because my head was pounding too hard.

Owen was awake, watching a video on his tablet with his headphones on and being the saint childthat he was… so much like his father. Fuck, I felt like the worst parent despite doing all I could to save his life, but he would never know… hopefully.

“I’ll get some fun things for him to play with,” Sid said, lifting my legs from the couch and sitting down. He lowered my legs onto his lap and rubbed them. “I feel all domesticated and shit.”

I gave him a tired smile. “It’s a good look on you.”

“I’m glad we got things sorted out at The District. That went… smoother than expected.”

“Because they care about you, Sid. You can see it on their faces despite trying to hide it. Especially Malik.”

“Not Sully.”

“God, he’s… intense, isn’t he?”

“What’s intense about someone who toys with his victims, loves blood, and kills while listening to disco music?”

“Oh, well, I stand corrected, then.” I would’ve rolled my eyes, but it hurt too much.

Sid lifted my legs again, stood, and hovered over me before he lowered himself to kiss me. It wasn’t long. Just enough to claim me and remind me I was his.

“I’m going to miss sex, dammit,” he whispered in case Owen could hear.

“You’ll have it again. Just let my poor brain rest for a bit.”

Sid rested his heavy body on mine, comforting and protective. I ran my hands through his hair as he laid his head on my chest—such a sweet thing to do for a killer…my killer.

That was my last thought before I fell asleep.

“Got it!” Layla announced as she rushed into my office, bouncing excitedly.

Dalton and I looked up, eager for anything new to get this case going. It had been nearly two weeks since we came back home. Dalton had handed over all his evidence to Layla, who worked with Veil to track down the girl who had been murdered in the video. That was the last bit of detail we needed before we could goforward.

“Veil and I finally tracked down the girl,” she said, looking proud and plopping her petite ass on a chair across from my desk, before sliding a folder my way.

Dalton grabbed it first and opened it, scanning the details. “Rubi Salazar. That explains her moniker, Ruby Tuesday. She’s sixteen and came to the U.S. from El Salvador a year ago, seeking asylum after gangs murdered her parents. She traveled to the U.S. with a group of other asylum seekers, so she wasn’t alone. It looks like she made it as far as applying, but then all traces of her vanished.”

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