Page 14 of Depraved

"And you think it's Carlos's men?"

He nodded grimly. "It fits his M.O. What better way to control Layla than by threatening the only blood family she has? If he has her then he’s got Layla. He’ll wait for Raul to die, and then he’ll put himself at the top, using Layla as his fucking watchdog."

If Gage was telling the truth, Layla's mother was in serious danger. But trusting him felt like swallowing broken glass.

"Why come to me with this?" I asked, studying his face for any sign of deception. "Why not go straight to Layla?"

Gage scoffed. "You know why. She'd shoot me on sight. But you... you're level-headed. You'll listen, even if you hate my guts."

I snorted. "You've got that fucking right."

"Look," Gage said, leaning in closer. "I fucked up. I hurt Layla in ways I can never make right. But this isn't about me or my guilt. This is about protecting an innocent woman who doesn't deserve to be caught up in our shit."

As much as I hated to admit it, he had a point. If Carlos really was going after Layla's mom, we needed to act fast. But trusting Gage felt like stepping off a cliff.

"Let's say I believe you," I said slowly—reluctantly. "What's your play here? What do you want?"

"I want to help," Gage replied immediately. "I have someone on her way to Claudia right now. She’ll convince her to go to a safe house."

Claudia. He shouldn’t have known that information unless he’d dug it up himself.

I stared at Gage, my mind churning. Part of me wanted to believe him, to think there was still some shred of decency left in the man I'd once considered a friend. But the larger part, the part hardened by years of betrayal and violence, screamed that this was just another con.

"You're playing a dangerous game, Gage. Layla wants your blood. She's been hunting you for months, imagining all the ways she'll make you suffer. I've seen that look in her eyes before. It's the look of someone who's lost everything and has nothing left."

I leaned in closer, close enough to smell the faint scent of whiskey on his breath. "You really think she'll let you speak before she goes for your throat? She's like a rabid dog, all teeth and fury. And you're the one who kicked her."

Gage's face paled slightly. "I know the risks. But this is bigger than me, bigger than whatever's between Layla and I. Her mother's life is at stake. And despite what I did, I still love her. That’s something I never once fucking lied about. Everything I felt for her was the realest shit I’ve ever felt. I just got in too fucking deep."

"You're a goddamn fool if you think love means shit at this point," I growled. "Layla trusted you and you fucking wrecked her. She barely smiles, barely eats or even speaks. All she does is train, kill, and hunt you."

Gage flinched, pain flashing across his face.Good.Let him feel even a fraction of the agony he'd caused. I gritted my teeth, torn between my hatred for this man and my duty to protectLayla, even from threats she didn't know existed. After a long moment, I made my decision.

I leaned back, eyeing Gage warily. Part of me still wanted to wrap my hands around his throat and squeeze until the light faded from his eyes. But the larger part, the part that had sworn to protect Layla at all costs, knew I had to hear him out.

"Alright, asshole. You've got five minutes to tell me everything you know. But let me make one thing crystal fucking clear. You're not getting anywhere near Layla. Not now, not ever. I'll break this news to her myself, when you're far away from here. Preferably on another continent."

Gage nodded, a flicker of something like relief crossing his features. "Fair enough. I wouldn't expect anything less."

I listened intently as Gage laid out the details of his plan, my jaw clenched so tight I could hear my teeth grinding. The smooth jazz over the speakers playing in the background faded away, replaced by the dull roar of blood in my ears. Every instinct screamed at me to put a bullet in this lying bastard's skull, but I forced myself to focus on his words.

"I've set up a safe house outside of Tahoe. It's off the grid, completely secure. No paper trail, no digital footprint. The kind of place even Carlos's best men couldn't find."

I grunted, grudgingly impressed despite myself. Gage had always been meticulous in his planning. It's part of what made him such a dangerous enemy.

"And how exactly do you plan on getting Claudia there? You really think she'll just up and leave her whole life behind on the word of some stranger?"

"That's where my old colleague comes in. Her name's Sarah. We worked together years ago, before... well, before everything went to shit."

I arched an eyebrow, waiting for him to continue. Gage took a deep breath, running a hand through his disheveled hair.

"Sarah's good at what she does. She can be very persuasive when she needs to be.”

That must be the mysterious blonde he’d been seen at the cafe with. I narrowed my eyes at him, wondering if he was already fucking her too.

I narrowed my eyes at Gage, suspicion gnawing at my gut. "This Sarah... she's the blonde you've been meeting at that cafe?"

A flicker of surprise crossed his face before he smoothed it away. "You've been watching me."

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