Page 32 of Depraved

"He's right," I chimed in, earning a betrayed look from Layla. I shrugged apologetically. "Sorry, baby girl, but the traitor's gota point. You two have a lot to talk about, and an audience isn't going to make it any easier."

With a reluctant nod from Layla, we began filing out of the living room. I couldn't resist pausing at the doorway, turning back to catch one last glimpse of mother and daughter. The tension between them was palpable, like static electricity crackling in the air. Part of me ached to stay, to be there for Layla as she faced this monumental moment. But I knew this was something she had to do alone.

"Try not to burn the place down while we're gone," I said, unable to help myself. "It’s such a pretty little cabin.” I winked, hoping to convey everything I couldn't say out loud.Be strong. I'm here if you need me. Say the word and the cops are dead.

As I sauntered into the kitchen, I found myself in the midst of what had to be the world's most awkward gathering. Gage leaned against the counter, his posture deceptively casual even as his eyes darted warily between River and Sarge. Sarah busied herself making coffee, her movements sharp and agitated. River loomed in the corner like a silent sentinel, his eye never leaving Gage.

"Well," I drawled, hopping up to sit on the kitchen island. "This is cozy. Anyone up for a rousing game of 'Never Have I Ever'? I'll start—never have I ever betrayed the woman I loved and nearly got her killed." I shot a pointed look at Gage, who visibly flinched.

"Real mature, asshole," Sarah snapped, slamming a mug down on the counter hard enough to make us all jump.

I smirked wickedly. "Aw, did I strike a nerve there, Blondie? Don't worry, I'm sure Gage has plenty of room in his bed for you now that the one he really wants would rather fuck a feral raccoon."

Sarah's hand twitched towards her gun, but Gage placed a restraining hand on her arm. "Alex, enough. We're all on the same side here."

I barked out a laugh, the sound harsh and humorless. "Are we? Last I checked, you were the reason Layla almost ended up dead or in federal custody. Somefriendyou turned out to be."

Gage's jaw clenched, guilt and anger warring in his eyes. "You don't know the whole story," he ground out.

"Oh, enlighten me then," I purred, leaning forward with exaggerated interest. "I'm all ears for your sob story about how you were just following orders, how you never meant to hurt her. I'm sure it'll be riveting. Did you know she was beaten for letting you live?" Gage’s eyes widened in what I could only describe as horror. Sick satisfaction filled me. “You really forgot the rules that quickly?”

The tension in the room ratcheted up another notch. I could practically feel River coiling to strike behind me, ready to put a bullet in Gage's skull at the slightest provocation. Part of me wanted to egg them on, to watch the bloodshed unfold. But a larger part knew that Layla needed us all in one piece, at least for now.

I stalked out the back door of the kitchen, inhaling deeply as the crisp mountain air filled my lungs. The sun was setting behind the towering redwoods, painting the sky in brilliant shades of orange and pink. It was breathtakingly beautiful, and utterly wasted on our motley crew of killers and traitors.

Lighting a cigarette, I leaned against the porch railing, letting my mind wander. What was happening in that living room right now? Was Layla finally getting the answers she'd been denied for so long? Or was she about to have her heart broken all over again?

I took a long drag, watching the smoke curl lazily into the twilight. Part of me ached to be in there with her, tooffer whatever meager comfort I could. But I knew this was something she had to face alone.

The door creaked open behind me, and I tensed instinctively before forcing myself to relax. River.

"Come to join the brooding?" I drawled, not bothering to turn around. "Fair warning, I charge by the hour for quality brooding time. But for you, I might offer a discount."

River grunted, coming to stand beside me at the railing. We stood in silence for a long moment, watching the last rays of sunlight paint the forest in shades of gold and crimson.

"You worried about her?" River asked, his deep voice barely above a whisper.

I took another drag of my cigarette, buying time before answering. “Nah. Our girl's tough as nails. A little family reunion won't break her." The lie tasted bitter on my tongue.

River's eye fixed on me, seeing right through my bullshit. "It's okay to care, you know. Doesn't make you weak."

I barked out a laugh. "Oh, that's rich coming from you. When's the last time you showed an emotion that wasn't 'murderous' or 'slightly less murderous'?" River raised an eyebrow, and I sighed, flicking ash from my cigarette and watching the embers dance away on the evening breeze.

"You want to know what caring gets you? It gets you a front-row seat to watching the woman you love tear herself apart for something that isn’t her fault. It gets you the constant, gnawing fear that she'll never be able to love you back." I turned to face River, letting him see me bare. "Caring gets you standing on a fucking porch in the middle of nowhere, chain-smoking and wondering if the best thing you can do for her is to walk away and never look back."

River's lips twitched in what might have been the ghost of a smile. "Well, I'll be damned. Never thought I'd see the dayAlex Cortez admitted to being in love. Should I alert the media? Maybe get you a 'Congrats on Having Human Feelings' cake?"

I blinked, replaying my own words in my head.Fuck.He was right. I'd said it out loud, hadn't I? The realization hit me like a sucker punch to the balls, leaving me breathless and slightly nauseous.

"Christ," I muttered, running a hand through my hair. "When the hell did that happen?"

River chuckled. "You really asking me? I'm not exactly the resident expert on matters of the heart."

I snorted. "Fair point. Your idea of romance is probably a smoldering stare and a bullet between the eyes."

"Hey now," River drawled as he took the cigarette from me and took a long drag. "I'll have you know I'm a goddamn Casanova. I always aim for the heart."

CHAPTER 11

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