Page 75 of Duke
Upstairs, I enter Hunter’s room and shut the door behind me. I check all the normal places, the nightstand, the heavy desk in the corner, under the mattress and pillows. Nothing. I look around, finally deciding to check his dresser drawers. I hit pay dirt in the first one I check. Not only are there a heap of journals—which is slightly concerning, because that means I’m going to have to read all of them, and quickly—but there’s a pair of panties lying on top like a goddamn trophy.
Lennon’s.Specifically, the ones she’d been wearing while I watched her getting dressed from our shared balcony one of the first few days she was living with us. They’re lacy, kinda sheer, and hell no, fucker—I’m the only one who gets to keep her panties. I stuff them into my pocket, snatch up all the journals, and leave this godforsaken house behind. I’ll never be back ever again.
* * *
I rollup to Bainbridge Hall to find everyone waiting on me. Duke is right there as I open the door and slip out of the SUV. It’s clear he’s not thinking straight because he grasps my head between his hands and tugs me close. “What the fuck, Mase. You scared us.” The wild beat of his heart pounds against my chest.
“I’m good. I wanted to get my hands on these journals.” I nudge him back so I can twist around and pick them up. “I think they’ll be important. Especially if we can find the one from four years ago.”
A throat clears behind us. We step away from the SUV so I can close the door. Kingston eyes the two of us, his arms crossed over his muscular chest. “Are we doing this, or what?”
I wink at him. “I needed reading material. I have the rest of Hunter’s journals.”
Cannon snorts, then holds out his hand, so I slap one into his palm. “You’re responsible for that one. We’re looking for more things the police need to know. Names, dates, assholery committed.”
“Got a good one for me, cousin?” Elliot’s warm smile is like a balm to my heart as she steps close.
I grin and hand one to her. “Yeah, thanks.”
I take the one that will likely be our best shot, then secure the remaining books in the back of one of the two vehicles we’re taking.
We split into two SUVs, one of which has Archer’s equipment in the back. He’ll use it to keep tabs on what’s going on inside.
I hope Lennon is ready for this. She’s not quite been herself since she looked at the horrific photos and nightie, then stood inside the room where she’d been assaulted. I can’t fucking blame her. She’d asked Bear to hide everything for her until she could figure out what she wanted to do with it all. I have no desire to see the proof of how they violated our girl. I hope she’ll turn in the photos as evidence to help put these fuckers away for good. We know they’re behind every bit of the hell Lennon has been put through, as well as Juliette and who knows how many other young girls. The trick is getting them to admit their wrongdoings. And that’s what tonight is about.
My gaze pins on her as she talks to Bear, getting some last-minute instructions. He gives her a hug, and she nods at him reassuringly before lifting to her toes to kiss him. My heart skips around in my chest. I’m so fucking nervous for her. And suddenly, I can’t help myself. “Lennon.” My throat sounds raspy and raw to my ears, and I cringe. “Can I talk to you for a sec?”
Everyone else has begun scrambling into vehicles so we can take off. Poker night generally starts around nine, so we have to get moving soon.
Duke’s gaze connects with mine, and he gives me an understanding nod. “Make it quick.”
Lennon looks like a complete badass. She’s wearing black shorts and a dark-gray ribbed tank top. Her hair is swept into a ponytail, her lashes long and dark, and her lips pink with a slick gloss. But it’s not really the clothes or how she’s styled her hair or makeup. It’s the attitude.
She joins me, immediately coming in for a hug, then holding tightly onto me. “I’ll be fine. I keep telling everyone. My heart is racing, but I think that’s a good thing. I know what I need to say and do. And then I’ll get the fuck out of there.”
“Kin, I know. You can totally handle this.” I look into her sparkling eyes, wishing we could sail away in that ocean of blue. “I want to make sure you understood something, because the last time I tried to tell you, I couldn’t get it out.”
Her lips twitch. “I love you, Mason.”
Dammit.“You’re supposed to let me say it first.”
“Who fucking says?” It’s clear she’s trying not to laugh.
I chuckle, shaking my head at our sassy girl. “I fucking love you, Lennon. I love you madly and hard and so fucking deep you’re embedded inside me. All your broken pieces with my damaged ones.” I thread my hands in her hair and kiss her the way she deserves—with all the chaotic love I have for her.
THIRTY-NINE
LENNON
My anxiety isthrough the roof, but we don’t know how else to do this. I’ve got to go in there. I’m the one who will get the reaction out of these guys.Me.I press my hand to my chest, where I can feel the violent cadence of my heart against my palm, and try to slow my breathing.
Up ahead of us, Kingston had cut the lights to his SUV the minute they got to the club’s driveway. We roll into the parking lot so slowly it’s painful. Tension is high. I know it’s the same in the other vehicle. We park in the back row of the lot, our dark-colored cars not likely to attract attention from here. Hopefully, this will all be over soon.
Duke murmurs, “Archer’s pulling everything up now on his laptops. He wants to make sure there are no surprises. Mase, he says it’s cool if you go ahead and pick all the locks now. He’ll watch you and let you know if anyone is coming your way.”
Mason nods, pressing a lingering kiss to my lips, then leans into the front seat, whispering in Duke’s ear before capturing his mouth, too. His hand goes to Bear’s shoulder, squeezing it firmly.
“Remember, watch your phone for instructions.”
