Page 30 of Depraved

Sarge lumbered over, his massive frame casting a shadow over us all. "As entertaining as this little reunion is, we've got places to be. So unless you plan on shooting thispendejoright here and now, let's get a move on."

We all piled into Gage's truck like some dysfunctional clown car routine. The suspension groaned in protest as Sarge's bulk settled into the passenger seat. I ended up wedged in the back between Layla and River, which under different circumstances might have been the start of a very interesting evening.

As we bounced along the winding mountain roads, I couldn't help but appreciate the absurdity of our little group. The tension alone was enough to power a small city. To my left, Layla sat rigid, her thigh pressed against mine, radiating fury. On my right, River loomed like the grim reaper himself, his single eye fixed on the back of Gage's head where he held his gun steadily aimed.

I shifted, trying to find a comfortable position in the cramped backseat. My movement caused Layla to press even closeragainst me, the heat of her body searing through my clothes. I caught a whiff of her perfume, and my dick twitched.

"Well," I drawled, breaking the tense silence, "this is cozy. Anyone up for a rousing game of I Spy? I'll start. I spy with my little eye something... deadly and pointed at Gage’s cerebral cortex."

Gage's eyes flicked to the rearview mirror, meeting mine with a mixture of exasperation and grudging amusement. "Still a smartass, I see."

I smirked, leaning back as much as the cramped space would allow. "Someone has to lighten the mood in this rolling powder keg of ours."

My eyes drifted to River's hand, steadily gripping the gun pressed against Gage's headrest. The barrel gleamed dully in the fading afternoon light filtering through the dusty windows. I had to admire River's focus, he hadn't so much as blinked since we'd piled in.

"You know," I mused, unable to help myself, "this whole silent, brooding enforcer thing you've got going on is incredibly sexy, River. The unwavering dedication, the rippling muscles, the single-minded intensity... it's enough to make a guy feel all tingly inside."

River's eye flicked to me briefly, a mix of exasperation and amusement in his gaze. "Shut up, Alex," he rumbled, but I caught the hint of a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.

Layla snorted beside me. "Is thereanyoneyou won't flirt with?"

I turned to her, drinking in the sight of her profile bathed in the golden light of the setting sun. Even scowling and covered in road dust, she was breathtaking. "Jealous, my queen? You know you're the only one for me.”

Layla rolled her eyes, but I caught the faint blush coloring her cheeks. "Keep it in your pants, Cortez. We've got more important things to focus on."

"Like not shooting our tour guide before we reach our destination?"

Gage's knuckles whitened on the steering wheel. "Look, I know you all have plenty of reasons to want me dead. But right now let’s just make sure you fuckers actually killed all of Carlos’s lackeys, and that Claudia is safe. So how about we table the death threats until after the family reunion?"

Layla tensed beside me at the mention of her mother's name. I could practically feel the conflicting emotions radiating off her in waves—hope, fear, anger, longing. Without thinking, I reached over and took her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. To my surprise, she didn't pull away.

"How much further?" Sarge growled from the front seat, his bulk making the truck groan in protest with every bump in the road.

Gage glanced at him warily. "About 20 minutes, give or take. The safe house is pretty isolated."

The rest of the drive passed in tense silence. I kept my hand entwined with Layla's, my thumb tracing soothing circles on her skin. Her grip tightened as we turned onto a narrow dirt road, winding deeper into the forest.

Finally, a small cabin came into view, nestled among towering redwoods. The late afternoon sun filtered through the branches, casting dappled shadows across the weathered wood and stone siding. It looked peaceful, almost idyllic.

Gage killed the engine, the sudden silence deafening. "We're here," he said unnecessarily, his voice tight with tension.

For a long moment, no one moved. Then Layla's hand slipped from mine as she reached for the door handle. We piled out of the truck, stretching cramped muscles and eyeing thecabin warily. River kept his gun trained on Gage as the ex-agent led us up the porch steps.

The door swung open, revealing a lithe figure silhouetted against the warm glow from inside. As my eyes adjusted, I took in the newcomer Blonde hair, blue eyes and a bad attitude. Sarah, I presumed. Gage's current partner-in-crime and fellow cop.

Her gaze swept over our motley crew, eyes narrowing as they landed on Layla. The temperature seemed to drop several degrees as the two women sized each other up. I had to admire Sarah's balls—or perhaps her stupidity—for the way she deliberately placed herself between Layla and the door, a clear challenge in her stance.

"Well, well," Sarah drawled, her voice dripping with distaste. "If it isn't the prodigal daughter, come to claim her long-lost mommy. How sweet."

This was going to be fun.

"Careful there, Barbie," I warned. "Your claws are showing. And while I'm all for a good catfight, maybe we should take this little reunion inside before the bears get curious?"

Sarah's eyes snapped to me, a mixture of irritation and grudging interest in her gaze, but before she could say a word, Layla beat her to it. “Are you going to block the door all day or do I have to physically remove you?”

Sarah bristled, her hand twitching towards the gun at her hip. "Big talk from a daddy's girl playing at being a gangster. Tell me, how many people did you have to fuck to get where you are?"

Layla moved so fast I barely saw it happen. One second Sarah was sneering at us from the doorway, the next she was pinned against the cabin wall with Layla's forearm pressed against her throat.

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