Page 52 of Bulletproof Love

“So what does that mean for tonight?” Blake asks, almost as if she pulled the question straight from my mind.

“Well, they’re shutting the water off for the floor in the meantime.” He looks around at the soggy mess. “And I guess you’ll want to sleep somewhere else.”

I hold in the massive groan that’s dying to escape my lips. “When do Kayla’s parents get here again?”

“Two days. They’re driving in from Texas.” He must see the look in my eyes. “I know it’s been tough having another person in the mix the past week, but I couldn’t just leave her with Ray.”

“I know. It’s not Kayla—I’m glad she’s been here and that we’ve been able to keep her safe until she gets home.” I bend to grab another soggy item of clothing… my sleep shorts.

“I think what Falin’s trying to say is that this situation is not ideal,” Blake says. “She’s been working nonstop since the new year and I’m sure she’s just tired.” She stands beside me and gives me a side hug.

“We’re all tired, but tonight will make it all worthwhile.” A rare Leon smile lifts the corner of his lips, brightening his eyes.

“Are you sure you’re ready?” Blake asks. I’ve been wondering the same thing. It took us days to work out the encrypted files from Fairfax’s hard drive and days more to track the money moved to random offshore banking institutions. The only thing of any use so far is the address we got off Wayne. That scumbag was good for something, at least.

The guys have been surveilling the address—a run down house in the Bronx—for days and finally saw some movement yesterday. A couple of guys going in and out, but that wasn’t what’s got Leon smiling. Jasper recognized one of the auctioned girls from Fairfax’s gala with them. It was a quick sighting, but he swears it was number two, the runner. It took everything in him to not blow their cover and bust down the door then and there.

“Need any more help?” Jasper asks, peeking inside the room.

I flash him a polite smile. “No, we’ve got it.”

“We were just talking about the sleeping arrangements,” Leon says with a smirk. “Any input, Jas?”

“You can take my bed,” Jasper says without hesitation.

I toss a waterlogged paperback book into the bin and stand up straight. “Where will you sleep?”

He shrugs, and pulls his hand through his hair. My breath catches… I don’t know what it is, but that movement does it for me. “The floor.”

“Attaboy,” Leon says, patting him on the shoulder. “So chivalrous.”

“No. I won’t take your bed,” I argue, knowing it won’t matter.

Damon stops behind Jasper. “Whose bed?”

It’s like a line of hot tattooed men coming into my bedroom. If I wasn’t so aggravated, I’d laugh.

“Nothing,” I say. “Don’t we have to leave soon?” The guys exchange looks. “What is it?”

“We think it’s best if you two stay here with Kayla,” Damon says carefully. “We have no idea who or what we’ll find in there and we can’t risk either of you getting hurt.”

I open my mouth to argue, but Blake beats me to it. “But it’s okay for you three to risk your lives?”

“I—” Damon starts.

“Absolutely not.” She crosses her arms over her chest. “If you’re going, so are we.”

“But—” Jasper cuts in. I glare at him and he shuts his mouth tight.

“So, when are we leaving?” Blake asks.

* * *

We climbout of Ray’s borrowed van as night blankets the street in darkness. Only one dim street light flickers from a few houses down, almost like the residents of the neighborhood know nothing after dark needs to be seen.

Old cars line the sidewalk—rust-damaged and missing paint. A few bicycles lean against brick siding. But what I focus on is the rundown house we’re headed to. It looms ahead, three stories of crumbling yellow stucco and peeling red trim. I watch my step on the cracked sidewalk—one slip on ice and I’d be down for the count. From what I can see, the house could have been beautiful a long time ago. Possibly some original owner’s pride and joy. But now, the sunroom windows are nothing but broken glass, jagged like a jack o’ lantern’s teeth, and the porch made of sagging rotten wood.

I shiver through my heavy jacket, a loaner from Jasper. After the other night, I wasn’t getting caught outside in nothing but a dress. We’ve gone over the plan so many times, I could recite it in my sleep, but something feels off.

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