Page 152 of Filthy Liar

“Let’s go,” I nodded, both of us running in the direction of the entrance.

We’d just turned into the final hallway when Raven appeared, Reid not far behind her.

“Go!” I snapped, knowing this place would be one big ball of fire soon, snagging her arm and dragging her behind us. We flew out the front door into the morning sunrise, and we’d just gotten behind one of the vans when a loud explosion rang out, almost knocking us over.

Car alarms blared and more smaller explosions rang out, earning me a dirty look from Dante.

“We were almost barbecued.”

“You’re fine, cry baby,” I teased, and Antonio sighed.

“My boy is sensitive, Ander. You know that. You’re welcome, by the way.”

I went to thank him but the connection went dead, so I took out the ear piece and put it in my pocket and turned to check on everyone else.

People were crowded behind the vans, my eyes landing on Blake as she stood with someone’s shirt over her shaking frame, her face bruised and her wrists bleeding from ropes.

Her eyes landed on me and she hobbled over as best as she could, throwing her arms around me with a sob. I didn’t want to shake her off, the girl was traumatized, but I didn’t hug her back until Raven shot me a look to comfort her.

“What did they do to you?” I asked quietly, stroking her back and making her flinch. If she’d been completely naked tied to a chair, anything could’ve happened to her.

“Mostly mind games. They whipped me a couple of times and hit me, but apart from that, they didn’t touch me,” she choked out, not pulling away. “Thank you for coming for me.”

I relaxed a little at knowing they hadn’t sexually assaulted her, but guilt still flickered inside me for her being dragged into this in the first place.

“You can thank your sister. She called me to tell me you never made it home.”

“Is she okay? Oh my God, has Child Services?—”

“She’s fine. The Thieves sent a team to watch her, and we bullshitted a little to say you were staying with me longer. Promise,” I explained, releasing her as she stepped back to wipe her eyes, giving Raven an apologetic look.

“I’m sorry, I just?—”

“Don’t be. We should see if the guys have some sweats or something in the vans for you, you’ll feel better,” Raven encouraged, hesitating before stepping closer and holding out her hand. “I’ve got you.”

Tears burned in Blake’s eyes as she took Raven’s hand, the girls moving towards Stone and Knox to find some pants.

Sirens sounded in the distance, and Beckett walked over to assess me. “Skeet said to be honest about this with the cops. It’s too hard to cover up, and we can name drop Stefano. They’ll find his body anyway.”

“What about me and Dante? They’ll drag us in,” I scoffed, and she rolled her eyes.

“No. Claim it was a mass kidnapping. Dante is beat to shit, so are Zav and Blake. Just say he lured you here by threatening them and then it all went to shit.”

“What happens when our stories don’t line up?” Dante asked tensely, knowing she owed him nothing.

“They won’t give a shit. Most of them are in our pocket. As long as they can pin the blame on someone, they’re fine. To make it look like they solved a case with someone like Stefano Ricci? Yeah, that’s pure gold to them.”

“What happens next then? I think we should all meet for a proper conversation,” Dante stated, making Beckett grit her teeth.

“As much as I’d rather just shoot you in the fucking face, my parents want to speak with you and Antonio. I expect you know where to go?”

“Oh, definitely. Antonio dug up the blueprints of your house ages ago, I know the address,” Dante said with a straight face.

“I didn’t know I could hate anyone more than you, Lavaro,” she bit out, and I couldn’t fight the smile even if I’d wanted to.

“What do you mean? We’re best friends now, aren’t we? I saved your life in there,” I pointed out.

“I don't know what you’re talking about.”

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