Page 47 of Carter's #Undoing

Lifting me off the bench, he pinned me to glass shower wall, the move bringing him deeper and causing me to cry out again. I met his strokes, the spray from the shower growing cold, but we didn’t care.Thiswas what we’d both wanted, and as Carter growled into the ceiling, I held on tight, both of us spent, but thoroughly satisfied.

“What is it with us and walls?” he asked a few seconds later.

I laughed. “I have no idea, but one of these days, we’ll follow through with a plan.” I didn’t add that with Carter, I didn’t think we’d ever have a black and white plan and I was fine with that.

* * *

It had beentwo days since the Madden reunion, and Carter had met with all his brothers with strict instructions that I hadn’t been able to overhear before those from out of state returned home.

Even though I felt like I’d gotten to know Scotch, Cap, Jackie-D, and Hennessey a lot in a short period, they’d been working hard to track down Rodney and I sensed they were typically able to locate their targets a little easier than it had been.

“I need to help the guys today,” Carter announced after we got dressed. “I spoke with Malakai, and he said there’s extra security at his office, so as much as I hate to leave your side, I have to in order to catch him.”

“I understand,” I told him, giving him a peck. If I’d fit, I was sure he would carry me around in his pocket, but I needed him to do what he had to do without me distracting him.

We ordered continental room service for breakfast, since it was quick and easy. I learned yesterday that Carter and the others didn’t believe in taxis, Uber, or any other transportation service that wasn’t vetted, so that only left for us to take one of the cars they rented.

As we drove through the city, it felt weird to look around at the place I’d called home for so long and feel like I didn’t recognize it anymore. The streets were bustling with folks who didn’t seem to have a care in the world, and even though I knew that wasn’t true, it felt like it as I watched people buy ice cream at a local stand.

Carter reached for my hand over the console, kissing the back of it at every stop light. It wasn’t until I glanced up at him that I realized something was wrong.

“What is it?”

“Don’t panic, and no sudden movements, but an SUV has been following us for the past ten blocks.”

I adjusted myself in my seat. “What do you need me to do?”

“How well do you know this area?”

“Pretty well.”

“Good. Is there any area that possibly has less bystanders?”

My heart was racing as I tried to think about the places I used to pass. “If you make a left at the next block and then a right, four blocks down from that is a factory that’s always empty since it’s under new ownership.”

“Anything closer?” he asked. “If this is one of Rodney’s guys, they’ll start shooting at us before we get there.”

“Let me think.” Closing my eyes, I tried to visualize the area again. “Yes, there’s another place. We passed a junkyard a few blocks back. If you take the next right and then another right, it’s two blocks past here.”

“Perfect.” Carter didn’t jerk the car, but I felt him pick up speed. As Carter had suspected, the person in the other vehicle started shooting at us as soon as we reached the junkyard.

“Serenity, stay down no matter what I tell you.”

I nodded and crouched as low as I could, staying put even after the car came to a stop. It wasn’t until I heard a voice that wasn’t Carter’s that I lifted my head a little to make sure he was okay.

It didn’t take long to get my answer. Carter shot at the guy’s hand, which was holding a gun, before shooting him squarely in the middle of his forehead.

“Wh—Who was that?” I asked in shock as I got out the car against Carter’s orders.

“Rodney’s third in charge,” he explained before taking out a burner phone. He glanced around.

“What are you looking for?”

“Cameras, but it looks like we’re good.” Carter bent down and observed the body, briefly cracking his neck.

Damn.While I felt frozen in place, he looked unfazed, like this was just another day for him. Given everything I’d read in his letters, it was.

“Head to the car while I handle this.”

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