Page 29 of Captured Pawn
I chose my words carefully. “Small items. A hard drive with private data on it. A small pouch with some documents and photos. Nothing nefarious,” I said, trying to downplay the importance.
“That hardly seems worth risking Matt’s life over. Or your own for that matter.”
“That would depend on what’s on the drive and in the pouch now, wouldn’t it?”
I felt her eyes on me as I took a gulp of the wine Margaret had sent up with the food. She might have been annoying, but Sophie Locke was also smart. I knew she was putting together what I was asking without me saying it directly. I held my breath, truly unsure what I wanted her answer to be.
“Why are you telling me all of this?” she pressed, obviously trying to force my hand.
Stop being such a pussy, Knight.
Taking a deep breath, I finally looked up into her eyes. “Because like I said, I don’t know who I can trust to help me.”
Her eyes widen. “And you trust me? Is that what you’re saying?”
“That’s exactly what I’m saying,” I admitted. “You may have been a pain in my ass these last few days, but I know you want to make sure Matty didn’t die for nothing—to make those responsible for his death pay as much as I do. And more important, I know where your loyalties lie—with Matt and so, indirectly, with me.”
“Be careful. I wouldn’t flatter yourself. If I find out you’re directly responsible for my brother’s death, you’ll find out firsthand how loyal I am—to him.”
Her words didn’t surprise me. In fact, I admired her for her spunk, even if it was presently giving me headaches.
“Listen, you’re in the business. You have to have connections. Maybe someone you trust who could help me out.”
“Wait… I thought…” Her voice trailed off.
She thought I wanted her to open the safe and honestly, she was right. I did want that, but even I knew I couldn’t ask it of her.
“Are you kidding? Matt would come back from beyond the grave and kick my ass if I put you in danger,” I answered truthfully.
My breath hitched when her face broke out into a huge grin. I’d never noticed that she had a small dimple in her left cheek when she smiled.
“I’d pay good money to watch him kick your ass,” she said before the sadness she’d carried around since her brother’s death stole that dimple away.
We each sipped on our glasses of wine for a minute. As chaotic as the last few days had been with her constantly trying to escape, I realized sitting there that I’d prefer the chaos to this awkward silence.
I decided I should leave. I’d said my piece. I was pushing to my feet when she answered me.
“I won’t call in a safecracker for you.”
Fuck. It had been a long shot anyway, but at least I’d tried.
I was all the way to the door when she called after me.
“I’m the only cracker I know who is better than Matty. He was always too impatient.”
I stood frozen, my hand on the doorknob. I was grateful she couldn’t see my face as I struggled with my moral dilemma. Asking Sophie to help directly was wrong. Even for an asshole like me, I knew it would break the promise I made to Matt to keep her safe.
But, without securing our future against the Bishops, she’d never really be safe anyway. I’d have to force her to move away. Start her life over somewhere else.
Funny how in that moment I hated the idea of that more than even she probably would.
I didn’t turn around when I answered. “I can’t ask you to do that. It’s too dangerous.”
“Am I ever going to go back home again if I don’t help?”
Turning around, I looked her in the eyes and told her the truth. “I’m not sure, but probably not. At least not anytime soon.”
“Then it’s settled. Now, why don’t you tell me what I’m going to be up against.”
