Page 123 of Ruthless Redemption

“Yes…” I just didn’t think things would happen so quickly. “I thought we were leaving for Virginia Beach.”

“We are. We’ll meet with my uncle straight away, and once all parties agree with my plan, we’ll take the jet to Denver.”

Apprehension and anticipation swirl inside me. There’s nervousness, excitement, hope, and terror, too. “So you trust them?”

“I’m trying to. I did a lot of digging overnight and I can’t find anything to discredit their story. Remy even asked for his gun back and I’m contemplating whether permitting it would be a good test of his loyalty.”

“You’re not worried they’ll kill us?”

“They could’ve yesterday. But today, Salvo can barely raise his arm and Remy couldn’t run to save his life. And he’d need to if he ever contemplated betraying me, Layla. He knows I’d flay him alive.”

I know it, too.

“Are you okay if I hand their guns back?” He glides my loose hair behind my ears. “It isn’t a problem if you don’t want to.”

I definitely don’t want to.

Remy’s Glock remained on my bedside table all night. Protecting me. Comforting me. “Can you take the bullets out? Maybe make them carry them separately?”

“Of course. I can keep hold of the magazines until you’re ready. That isn’t a problem.”

It isn’t really testing or trusting them. But it’s all I can allow right now. I’m not willing to trial their sincerity as much as he is.

“Do it.” I swallow over the unease. “As long as you handle the magazines.”

“Okay,mia dea.” He places a kiss to my temple and entwines our fingers. “You better start getting ready. We leave in less than an hour and there’s a lot to do before we go.”

“Like what?”

He smirks as he leads me toward the bedroom. “I’ll give you one guess.”

23

MATTHEW

We’rein the air within ninety minutes, the flight smooth as we coast toward Virginia.

My brothers have barely spoken a word. There have been no concerns, objections, or speculations. Their level of trust is unnerving.

They should be asking questions. Demanding answers.

“Do they know yet?” Layla murmurs over the rumble of jet engines.

“No. It’s best kept quiet.”

“What about Bishop? What did he say?”

“I haven’t told him either.”

She glances over her shoulder at him farther back in the cabin, then returns her gaze to mine. “Why?”

“He wouldn’t approve. He doesn’t trust them.” I slide my hand over hers, bringing her knuckles to my lips. “I also didn’t want to risk him feeling obligated to give Lorenzo any prior warning. I’m keeping my cards close to my chest until we get there.”

“But he knows where we’re going, doesn’t he?”

“He would’ve assumed, yes, and probably speculated that we’re going there to use my brothers’ stories to gain permission to kill Emmanuel.”

“You could do that?” she asks.

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