Page 22 of Depraved

"Complicated how?" Claudia pressed, her voice sharp.

I ran a hand through my hair, struggling to find the right words. "We became close. Very close. I cared about her more than I should have, given my position."

Understanding dawned in Claudia's eyes, followed quickly by disgust. "You slept with her? My daughter?"

"It was more than that," I said quietly, knowing how pathetic it sounded. "I loved her. I still do. But I betrayed her trust. She found out I was a narc, and should have killed me right then and there, but she let me go. Gave me a chance to run. I’d like to think it’s because she still feels something for me too, but I just don’t know.”

She nodded, as if this was the least impossible sounding information she’d received today. "You said Layla is coming here?"

"Within the next day or two. She doesn't know you're here yet. I wanted to prepare you before we give her the okay."

Claudia was silent for a long moment. When she spoke again, her voice was thick with unshed tears. "Will she want to see me? After all this time?"

The raw vulnerability in her tone made my chest ache. I turned back, meeting her gaze. "Claudia, Layla has never stopped loving you. Not for one second. But like I said, it’s herchoice to make and her story to tell. I’m just here to keep you alive.”

I leftClaudia to process the bombshell I'd just dropped, gently closing the bedroom door behind me. My head was spinning, guilt and relief warring inside me. At least the hardest part was over. Now I just had to keep Claudia safe until Layla arrived.

I made my way back to the main living area, where Sarah stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows, her form silhouetted against the inky darkness beyond. The cabin's rustic interior felt cavernous in the dim light, shadows dancing across rough-hewn beams and river rock walls.

"How'd it go?" Sarah asked without turning, her voice carrying a sharp edge.

I sighed. "About as well as you'd expect. She's in shock, but holding it together."

Sarah snorted, finally facing me. Her gold gleamed in the low lamplight, her blue eyes hard as ice. "I still think this is a mistake. Bringing her here, involving her in all this mess."

"We didn't have a choice," I clipped. "Carlos would have found her eventually. At least this way we have a chance to protect her."

"Right," Sarah drawled, sarcasm dripping from every syllable. "Because your precious girlfriend issogood at protecting people. Just ask Charlie how that worked out for him."

The mention of Charlie felt like a punch to the gut. I turned away from Sarah, unable to bear the accusation in her eyes. My gaze fell on the dying embers in the fireplace.

Then, Leon’s flashed through my mind, his easy smile, the mischievous glint in his eyes. We'd been through so much together, from grueling training at Quantico to countless undercover ops. He'd been more than just a partner; he'd been a brother.

And now he was gone. Killed by Sarge's hand while trying to protect Layla.

The irony of it all wasn't lost on me. I grieved a man who tried to kill the very woman I loved, the woman who would later take Charlie's life. Charlie with his infectious laughter, dirty jokes, and genius-level hacking skills. He'd never stood a chance against Layla's ruthless efficiency.

Grief welled up inside me, threatening to choke the air from my fucking lungs. I missed them both so fucking much it physically hurt. Yet even as I mourned my friends, I couldn't shake the image of Layla's face from my mind. The way her eyes lit up when she laughed, her moans when I fucked her nice and slow. Our long conversations deep into the night. The betrayal that drained the life from her face that day on the docks.

I loved her. God fucking help me, I still loved her with every fiber of my fucking being. Even after everything that had happened, every lie I'd told and every betrayal I'd committed, my heart still belonged to her.

Sarah's voice cut through my spiraling thoughts. "Earth to Gage. You still with me?"

I blinked, forcing myself back to the present. Sarah was watching me with a mixture of concern and annoyance, her arms crossed over her chest.

"Yeah," I muttered, rubbing a hand over my face. "Just... remembering."

Sarah's expression softened slightly. "Charlie?"

I nodded, not trusting my voice. Sarah sighed, some of the anger draining from her posture. "I miss him too," she saidquietly. "But we can't change what happened. All we can do now is try to keep Claudia safe and hope Layla doesn't fuck this up. Maybe we can spare one innocent at least."

I bristled at her words, even as part of me acknowledged the truth in them. "Layla will do what needs to be done. She always does."

Sarah raised an eyebrow. "Even if that means putting a bullet in your head?"

The question hung in the air between us, heavy with implication. I turned away, unable to meet her gaze. "If that's what it takes. I've made my peace with it."

Sarah snorted. "Bullshit. You're still hoping for some grand redemption arc. Wake up, Gage. This isn't a movie. There are no happy endings here."

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