Page 173 of The Reluctant Hero

South: Taking him to Shade. They have two days before I come get you.

I frown at the text as several more come through from an unknown number in a flood.

Unknown: Hi Amanda! Don’t be scared. They know you didn’t steal any money. They feel really bad about everything.

Unknown: The apartment destroyer WAS NOT ACE! They’re all innocent! I took the proof if you need it! Please please please give them another chance. They got played.

Unknown: This is Tera.

Unknown: Text back if you need B&E advice. I’m so excited you’re into it!

I don’t know how to respond to either one. The amount of disappointment that South isn’t tracking me down to bust me out of this is stifling. She still thinks they’re the safest option, despite my arguments. I take off a glove to text her back first, what’s left of the glass crunching under my angry typing.

Me: Asshole. Who’s lazy now?

South: You. Get out yourself. You have two days before I show. Make them count.

This utter dick of a friend. I can’t tell if she’s giving me space to continue destroying Gabriel’s things or taking a vacation from my drama to play torture games with her fiancé.

I can’t text Tera like that, though. She’s too kind for my usual snark, and I did nothing to have her risking herself to save my ass.Sheat least deserves a fuck ton of respect.

Me: Hi Tera. Thanks for your help. Stay at home and safe. No more meetings with shady people!

So much for all the yelling I planned to give her. I’m not into kicking puppies, though.

She sends back emojis, mainly hearts and clapping hands. How is someone this sweet an expert in breaking and entering? Does she send apology letters afterward?

Everything goes silent again, and I return my focus to the windows, clutching the phone in my hands.

Gabriel softly clears his throat. Ace starts popping his knuckles. Cade glares at Jake. Mikael shifts in discomfort. They look like they had a rough night, which amuses me for a second. While they are still dressed in familiar clothes Jake looks fresh out of a fashion shoot. It makes their wrinkled suits and exhausted faces more obvious.

“Let’s catch up,” Jake says pleasantly and twists to prop his knee on the seat between us. His arm moves away until his hand is gently cupping the nape of my neck. It gives me more breathing room but keeps his foot over the stick and my body frozen under his touch.

“I’ll start. I placed cameras in your apartment after I first saw you. I’ve been watching you for quite a while. Following you too.”

All of the other guys straighten in surprise to give him dirty glares.

“Why the fuck didn’t you tell us?” Ace snarls.

My head tries to snap in his direction but I can’t twist that way without it hurting. I wince and touch the back of my head carefully. There’s a giant knot hiding under my hair. His hand starts gently massaging the tense muscles in my neck, careful to stay away from the bruises coming up.

“I know you’re angry with me,meine Seele. I’d like you to put that aside for a moment so we can get focused. Stop playing with it, or it will get worse.”

I can’t focus on anything other than the pain at the back of my head. He grips my wrist and carefully draws my hand away from my head. He checks my gloved fingers for blood, then holds my hand like we’re on a date, intertwining our fingers and resting them together on my thigh. The grip on my neck disappears, and my hair tumbles down to hide my face. The instant feeling of relief helps me pay attention.

“The man that left the false bank statement was hired by Loser. I assume you’ve already spoken with Blake? Your vicinity to his building is promising for it.”

I roll my eyes to see Jake’s hopeful expression through my hair.

“I did,” I rasp out carefully. The words sound ominous and threatening, but they’re perfect. I feel my lips twitch up in a small, satisfied smile. I should feel bad for what I did, but the feeling is absent.

Jake’s grin comes back out and he nods as if he’s proud of me. It actually feels good for a second before I squish the feeling. I don’t need his approval.

“You faced Blakealone?” Cade snaps and leans forward with his teeth gritted. “Do you know how dangerous that was?”

My eyes roll up to him without moving my head, and my expression flattens out. This man is too stupid to live. Why can’t he be put in front of me on the list of people to die? I’ll move down the line and get a few more hours. Like tripping someone in a horror movie to keep the killer at bay. I never would have thought I was the type.

The look on my face makes him close his mouth and lean back warily.

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