Page 290 of The Reluctant Hero

Good.

“And someday, you will say that without sounding like you’re getting an anal probe.”

“God damn it,” he mutters with a weak laugh. “You could at least say it back.”

“Let me sleep on it,” I taunt, a grin slowly spreading. I stop that shit immediately as several parts of my face scream out in protest.

“Fine,” he grumbles.

I wait several minutes. Until his body sags in the bed and his breathing goes even.

“I love you too,” I whisper helplessly.

A light snuffle comes from behind me before a sleepy, satisfied voice mutters, “I heard that.”

63

Exodus

Ace

I’ve never felt this relaxed before. If I have, I don’t remember it.

I lean against the wall as I take in the view.

Mikael is in his normal, solemn isolation. The only difference is the violent look in his eyes. I’ve seen that look in a mirror. He’s barely holdin’ on.

Jake’s expression is wiped clean of emotion. His cold, shark eyes are starin’ with an intensity that cuts.

Cade is calm, watchin’ the stairs expectantly.

I hear the door open and the steady tread of someone walking down the steps.

Gabe appears in a full suit, lookin’ ready to do a deal. Manda said he was a demon lookin’ for a soul once. I can see it now.

He straightens his cuffs and moves to stand in front of the woman tied to a chair.

“Judge Fullerton.”

The old woman stares up at him, spittin’ fire from her eyes. Her gray hair is a tangled mess around her face. The giant black bruise over her temple, courtesy of South, makes her look paler. From her messed-up makeup and torn clothes to her diamond-ringed hands, she’s a real mess.

I got no idea what Gabe is plannin’ to do to her, but I’m here for it.

She was unconscious when the docs put the IV in her. Otherwise, it would have been a waste. A sure sign that this is gonna take a while.

Fullerton struggles for a second, trying to yell at Gabe from behind her gag. I glance at the stairs, suddenly afraid Manda is goin’ to come down them to tell her to shut the fuck up.

“She’s asleep,” Gabe mutters and pulls something from the inside pocket of his jacket. It clanks like there’s metal in there. All wrapped up in a velvet cloth.

He crouches and sets the kit down, unrolling it with a quick flip of his wrist. My brows furrow at the instruments inside.

Needles. Six inches long with tiny ends on the to hold. The other side looks sharp as fuck.

I glance around to take in the confusion on everyone else’s faces. Not one of us has seen this little kit before.

Gabe calmly pulls one out of its nest and flips up Fullerton’s skirt to reveal her knee. Somethin’ in my stomach twists as I think about what’s gonna happen next. Then, my lips turn up in a satisfied grin.

He’s fuckin’ pissed. Enough that his rules have fallen behind, along with his mental lock-up.

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