Page 108 of Love Bleeds Red
I may still be broken, but I’m not afraid anymore.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
LEON
The iron gatescome into view and they’re wide open. Bailey’s grip around my waist tightens as she must see what I see.
I slow the bike to a crawling pace, almost like there’s a repelling circle around the perimeter. Everything in me screams to go back.
“This feels like a trap,” I say loud enough for Bailey to hear me. I don’t know Alfred well but I know he’s obsessive about security.
“Of course it’s a trap. He wants us here.”
I love how Bailey cuts through the bullshit to the heart of the problem. I usually do the same, but when it comes to the people I love, it’s harder to stay focused.
“I’m going to check everyone’s locations,” I say, pulling out my phone. There’s three missed calls from Damon, two from Falin, and a string of increasingly creative text threats from Jasper about what he’ll do to me if I get Bailey killed.Fair enough.“They’re still thirty minutes away.”
I type out a quick message:At the estate. Gates open. Going in.
“So what’s the plan?” Bailey asks.
I glance back at my phone as it rings with a call from Damon. Oh, he’s going to kill me. “I say we drive straight in. There’s no point in sneaking around when he’s clearly expecting us.”
“Bold choice, but I get it. He’s practically rolled out a red carpet for our arrival.”
“If Alfred wanted us dead, we’d already be dead. He wants something else.” I rev the engine. “Besides, I’m so fucking done with skulking around in the shadows.”
Alright, you old psycho bastard, let’s see what your game is.
I ride through the open gates and up the long, tree-lined drive. It’s such a shame that this place is owned by that man. Objectively, it’s a beautiful estate. Except now it’s tainted by his legacy.
The main house comes into view as I round a bend. Lights glow from the open windows, another sign that this is exactly what he wants.
I pull the bike right up to the front entrance, the gravel crunching under the tires as I park next to a stone sculpture that probably cost more than my college education.
“Well, this is subtle,” Bailey says as she climbs off the bike.
I pull off my helmet. “He wants us here, so here we are.”
“There’s no missing out on that fact,” she says.
I shake my head, marveling at her ability to still find some twisted humor in this crazy situation.
“How are you doing?” I ask quietly.
She takes a deep breath and scans the front of the house. “Trying not to think about the last time I walked through those doors.”
I reach for her hand, squeezing gently. “This time, you have the power.”
Her answer is a nod and hand squeeze. “It’s weird that we haven’t seen anyone else. No security. No Ms. Harrington. It’s eerie.”
My phone buzzes again, but I ignore it. I have worse things to deal with than a pissed off Damon.
I check my gun one more time, making sure there’s a round in the chamber. “Stay behind me, and if anything goes?—”
“Sideways, I run,” Bailey finishes with a hint of sass. “I know.”
We step forward both realizing at the same time that the massive front door is halfway ajar. Every muscle in my body tenses as we cross inside. I can’t even imagine what Bailey must be feeling.
