Page 249 of The Reluctant Hero

“Can you locate the buyer? Or buyers?” I ask and rub a finger over my ear. The same old move I used to have before a big play in football, minutes before I put my helmet on.

Jake sees the move and starts nodding.

“Jakob has gotten too lazy,” Blue mutters with a huff of breath. “Yeah, I’m bored as fuck, so I’ll get on it.”

The disconnect follows, leaving us in silence.

“Come on, Cadey, say it,” Jake urges me.

“I feel good about this one.”

“Yes!” Jake yells in my ear and slaps me on the back. “Load up on weapons. A breakthrough is coming.”

Gabe’s cell rings before Jake’s voice can taper off.

“Hello, Mr. Owen,” Gabe’s eyes meet mine as a smirk takes over his lips.

After a little cold banter, he gets off the phone and glances around the table.

“Monday lunch meeting with Mr. Owen. To give me a tour of the mansion. He recommended I reschedule any pressing meetings for the rest of the day after.”

“I’m sure every single one of us knows that the team hired out was paid for by these assholes. That puts a little curve in our interests,” I tell him flatly.

“They offed Blake,” Ace sneers. “They owe us for that one. Manda, at the very least.”

“Set that aside,” Jake chides him gently. “You’re assuming that they’re going to be at the meeting?”

“They won’t be there, but they’ll be around,” I mutter with a tired sigh. “You’ll need all of us, Gabe.”

He makes a thoughtful sound, his gaze distant. For a second, I see a brief flicker of fear in his face. Whatever he’s thinking about isn’t good. If it’s the same thought as mine, it isn’t.

With all of us gone, what the fuck is Amanda going to do?

53

Feel Nothing

Amanda

I miss out on anything that happens on Saturday. I’m snuggled up with Mikael, watching a movie marathon in his room like I’m in high school, sneaking time with a guy.

He doesn’t say much. He brings me food and aspirin for my aching body. Massages me when I get uncomfortable. He’s just there, a quiet, steady presence for me to rest against. It’s a lot like how I imagined it would be with him. Except for all the coddling. I never would have thought I’d accept this kind of treatment. If anyone else did it, I’d slap them in the face. Maybe it’s because I know if I smacked Mikael, he would not tolerate it in the least. I don’t think he’d hurt me, but he would punish me in ways I can’t even pretend to know.

Ace acts as if he’s a devotee to a vengeful goddess. Mikael is like a knight to a princess. Jake treats me like I’m a queen, and he’s the bloodthirsty assassin standing behind me to be unleashed when I choose. It’s so different from anything I’ve ever known or dreamed of.

These men have broken me into pieces and put me back together with exactly what I need. I can’t imagine leaving here.

Way too early Sunday morning, I slide from under the covers, trying not to wake Mikael from his sprawl. He sleeps on his stomach, and for some reason, seeing it makes me pause to watch. Even in sleep, he looks calm and in control of everything.

My body has a few minor complaints, but nothing like it has been. A good stretch will help me out.

I tiptoe down the steps because there’s a hush over this giant home that speaks of exhaustion and stress. Today, I don’t feel any of that. No doom feeling. No anger. Just a normal day.

It’s weird as hell.

Something inside is telling me this is the calm before the storm, which means I better live it up.

I get to my room and dress for some light exercise. As I pick Jakob up from the bed, I notice my phone. Tucked underneath it is a note.

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