Page 13 of Risk
The revving of engines as we pull out of the compound has my anxiety soaring instead of settling. The closer we get to McKenna, the worse it becomes.
My instincts have me wanting to shut down my bike once her complex comes into view. I glance over at Conan and see he’s thinking the same thing. So, we turn in the opposite direction and go down a couple of blocks before parallel parking on the street. This is a dead end with no residential homes, the entire block is run down and vacant, the state condemned the buildings and houses a long time ago and forced the occupants to evacuate, so it’s safe to leave our bikes here without us having to worry about them being tampered with or stolen by thieves. Not even the homeless or vagrants want to be here—there’s a feeling of vast nothingness with a tinge of evil if I had to put a name to the feeling I currently have.
We meet in a huddle where I inquire, “Was I the only one who felt the hair on the back of their necks stand up?”
“No,” Conan mutters, kicking loose pebbles with the toe of his boot. “The second we put eyes on the apartments, every instinct I have went off like a firework display.”
“We need to scope that shit out,” Midas concludes. “Something’s not right.”
“Go incognito?” Regulator proposes.
“We need to split up and cover all sides of that building,” Rev suggests. “My reflexes are shouting that there’s danger coming from more than one direction.”
“She’s being watched,” I utter.
“I think you’re right about that,” Conan agrees. “What has she gotten herself into?”
“That’s something only she can tell us,” I grind out through my teeth. “Whatever it is, I don’t like it.”
“She’s your old lady, Risk. We’ll take our cues from you,” Conan offers. “How do you want to handle this?”
“Divide and conquer,” I relay.
“A casual walk around the block?” Rev inquires. “It’s a nice evening for a stroll.”
“The stars are out tonight,” Midas cackles. “Wanna hold my hand while we name the constellations, Reg?”
“Fucking comedian,” Reg sighs. “Why the fuck not. If anything, it’ll gain their attention.”
“Two badasses in leather holding hands while looking up at the sky? I’d say so,” Conan muses. “I know I wouldn’t be able to take my eyes off you.”
“That’s because you’re twisted and would be wanting a preview of where your warped thoughts go,” Rev teases.
“What can I say? Love is love and you know I support that shit in whatever form it grows,” Conan claims. He’s adamant about everyone staying in their own lane. He has a childhood friend who was bullied after admitting he is attracted to the same sex. He does not condone homophobia in any way, he’s a crusaderfor humanitarian rights—all rights no matter the person’s race, gender, political or religious beliefs. It’s all the same to him and one of the reasons we respect him and put up with his antics like we do.
His mind is always in the gutter but his heart is in the right place.
“Let’s split up and determine where the danger is to McKenna,” I announce. “There’s five of us, so one of us will have to go out on our own.”
“I volunteer as tribute,” Rev decides. “It’ll be nice to have some breathing room and clear my own head.”
“That works,” I state. “Meet at the back of the units? If you run into trouble, whistle.”
We split up, each taking different routes so that we can cover all areas. Conan comes with me, if anyone can control any outburst from me, it’ll be him. One way or another, he always has my back covered.
CHAPTER
NINE
McKenna
Sleep evadesme as I toss and turn in the bed. Flashes of past betrayals swarm my brain. It’s going to be hard to function tomorrow if I can’t catch a couple of hours of shuteye. I blow out a heated breath as my legs scissor with restlessness and I kick the covers down to the end of my mattress. Even with the air conditioner on, beads of sweat trickle along my temples and coat my inner thighs. “Ugh,” I groan as I turn onto my side and face the window. The streetlights glow through the blinds, and I tuck my hands under my head as I try to find a more comfortable position.
Sighing, I flop onto my belly and clamp my eyes closed. I flip numerous times over the next hour or so before giving up the battle and crawling out of bed. Not used to having a roommate, but trying to be conscientious about being respectful, I tiptoe out of my room and into the kitchen. I’d devoured my bottle of water long ago and my throat is feeling parched. I know this apartment like the back of my hand so I don’t need any lights as I traverse down the hallway, through the living room, and to the fridge.
Slowly, I open the door, glad that the light faces inward instead of outward so the bulb doesn’t light up the living room. As soon as my hand touches my target, a startled scream escapes me as I feel a gentle touch on my shoulder.
“Sorry,” Isla apologizes. “I thought you heard me come in behind you.”
