Page 79 of Mortify

"What's your plan for today?" I ask as he hands me the mug.

"Kirkja’sat nine. Got some intel to go over." Something flickers across his face. "Then probably another run tonight."

"Already? You just went out a few days ago."

"Patriot's getting desperate. Moving safe houses every few days, trying to stay ahead of us. We hit one, he pops up somewhere else." He sits on the bed beside me. "But Tor thinks he found something in those documents. Might give us an edge."

"Something about the Patriot?"

"Among other things." He's being evasive, which means it's bad.

"Regnor—"

My phone buzzes on the nightstand.

Gwen calling.

This early, it can't be good.

"Hey," I answer, trying to sound normal. "What's up?"

"Dylan's here." Her voice is tense. "At the station. Says he's looking for you, that you haven't been at work and he's worried."

My blood turns to ice. "What did you tell him?"

"That you called in sick. But Everly, he's not buying it. He's making a scene, demanding to know where you really are. Says you're in danger, that the MC is holding you against your will."

"Shit."

Chief knows better than to believe anything coming out of Dylan’s mouth.

Regnor's already moving, pulling on jeans, his face dark.

"Chief's about to call the cops if he doesn't leave," Gwen continues. "But I wanted to warn you first. He seems... different. Aggressive. More unhinged than usual."

"Thanks for the heads up. I'll?—"

"He said something else." She lowers her voice. "Said to tell you that Tuesday's appointment is still on. That he'll be there whether you are or not. What does that mean?"

Tuesday.

Bjorn's physical therapy.

The threat he's holding over my head.

"Nothing," I lie. "He's just trying to scare me."

"Well, it's working on everyone here. Vail's about ready to go out there and deck him herself. Already had to stop her twice from confronting him."

"Tell her not to engage. He's dangerous when cornered."

"Yeah, we're getting that impression. He's been taking pictures too—of the station, the ambulances, our personalvehicles. It's creepy as hell." A pause. "Are you safe where you are?"

"Yes. I'm with Regnor at the club."

"Good. Stay there. And Everly? Maybe it's time for a restraining order."

"Yeah," I agree, knowing it won't help. Pieces of paper don't stop men like Dylan. "Maybe."

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