Page 16 of Barrett

“I’ll be happy if you are.”

“You can’t take care of me when you haven’t taken care of yourself.”

“I’m fine.”

“You’re deflecting. I’m good. You’re not. Work on that.” He turned to face the TV again and lifted the remote. “I’m going back to my movie. Either watch it with me or do something that has zero to do with work. Before you say it, yes, you’re always looking for people to help, and that’s fine. Just don’t forget about yourself.”

“Are you kicking me out of our apartment?”

“What’s that?” He leaned closer, eyes on the TV. “I couldn’t hear where you were going.”

I chuckled. “Fine, I’m leaving.” Where, who the hell knew?

Already dressed in jeans and a shirt, I stuffed my feet into a pair of comfortable sneakers. Along with my keys, wallet, and phones, I strapped a gun on before putting my coat over it. I always had to be prepared.

It was early afternoon on a Sunday, and I was off. I readily joined the foot traffic on the sidewalk, the brisk air making me pull my coat closer. I could have taken my car, but since I had no idea where I was going, I figured walking was easier. At least then, I could stop in stores or find a bite to eat without worrying about where to park my car.

My mind went over the case I had and if there were details I’d missed. I was sure there wasn’t, but the sheer fact I didn’t have a lead ate at me night and day. With Jordan’s people on it as well, I thought I would have heard from them. Then again, if I couldn’t find evidence in the dark recesses of East Dremest, did I think he could?

Always alert of who I was walking next to and vehicles pulling up to the curb, I was acutely aware of the black Lincoln Navigator that stopped beside me. It was one of Jordan’s. I kept walking. Whoever it was had obviously found me for a reason. My guess was it was one of the twins. One, I would behave like I shouldn’t in front of, a cocky asshole, when all I wanted was for him to fuck me until I couldn’t think anymore. The other, I’d have questions to answer.

Raiden fell into step beside me. Not many could tell the twins apart besides the scar on Raiden’s face. I knew them by their eyes. Sure, they were the same, but within their depths, there were very different emotions.

By the way he looked at me, Reghan could either kill me or eat me alive. Raiden was seconds from either throttling me or shoving me toward his brother. It varied by day.

I knew it was Raiden beside me by how he walked. Yeah, I was that tuned-in to Reghan. He was heavy-footed, or maybe that was around me. Every step packed a punch of anger and seemed to say the words he didn’t let leave his lips.

I’ll fucking crush you.

I want to choke the life out of you.

Why the fuck won’t you leave me alone?

Granted, I didn’t know if that was what the steps meant. They felt like it though.

Raiden walked lighter, with purpose. I half expected him to glide ahead, but he stayed by my side, eyes scanning the people around us. One hand in his pocket. The other hanging loosely by his side, waiting for the moment he’d have to pull out his weapon.

“Do you hate him?” he asked.

I tripped on a crack in the sidewalk that might as well been the size of a boulder. If it weren’t for Raiden reaching for my arm, I would have fallen very ungracefully. He released me just as quickly as he caught me.

“What are you talking about?” I asked, acting like nothing just happened.

“My brother. I can’t figure it out. All you do is piss him off. I know you want him. Is it to punish him or yourself?”

“He pisses me off too.”

“I know, but he tries to be nice. Why wouldn’t you let him that day in the café?”

My eyes narrowed. “Is that why you’re really here?”

“Lawson found something,” he said low. “Video. Seconds right before a guy was taken. A tall man wearing a hoodie to cover his hair and his face. The video also caught a limp.”

“You stopped to tell me the guy has a limp?”

“It’s better than nothing.”

“Do you know how many people limp though? You gave me nothing else.” I couldn't question every male in the city who had a limp and wore a hoodie and ask if they were involved in kidnappings.

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