Page 28 of Reign By Wrath

Alistair: Ronin will drop you off. You done with the Langford girl?

“I’ve got to get going.” I gave up the journal and traded for the list. “I’ll check these out tonight. Here’s hoping you’re right about Everton refusing the other cabins.”

“I am right. I didn’t know him like that, but Everleigh wouldn’t shut up about him back then. He once threw out a pair of brand-new, five-thousand-dollar shoes because he got a scuff on them. He wouldn’t have locked himself away in any less than a mini-mansion.”

“Okay. Thanks for this, Katie.”

“Don’t underestimate me.” She met my surprise with a hard look. “I can do more than read old journals and mess around with GPS. Everleigh got Winter raped and tried to murder you. Because of what she did to Giovanni, Mom is so freaked she doesn’t want me farther than her shadow. She’ll pay for what she’s done.”

“I trust you, Katie. Don’t know why,” I muttered, “but I do. The main thing I need you to do is stick close to her, let her think you’re her friend, and give me inside details like this.” I gestured at the journal. “Everleigh’s too careful. I only found her Book Lady site because she gave it to me. Since I can’t rely on Wilder’s skills to find out what she’s up to, you’re perfect.”

“Always was, always will be. Now go.” I suddenly found myself being pushed toward the door. “I just found out I’ve wasted my life with a bunch of fake bitches. I need my man to come over and fuck the stress out of me.”

“Your man? Are you finally admitting Dean is your boyfriend?”

“Nope.” She deposited me on the porch and flicked the door closed. Just like that, I was dismissed.

Shaking my head, I left and met up with Ronin, who idled ten feet from the front gate. I tapped on the window, a shiver going up my spine when it slowly dropped down and revealed him.

The dragon tattoo needled into his skull was intimidating enough. Ronin had to build on his aura of mystery with dark, impenetrable shades; unsmiling, thin lips; and a crooked nose that told of a break—or three.

“Alistair said you’re taking me to his hotel or something. What should I do with my stepdad’s car?”

“Drive it back to your place.” A deep, bass tone flowed from his lips. “We’ll leave from there.”

“Sounds good.”

I did as he asked—driving back to Bowden Manor, dropping off the car, then walking out to slide in the back seat. Ronin took off, whisking me away to my father.

Ronin didn’t take the street that would carry us out of the mega-rich neighborhood my stepfather and mother were lucky to call home. He turned right, carrying us up a hill that brought us deeper into Royal territory.

Wonder if Alistair has something in common with his old friend. Looks like he refuses to hide away in anything less than a mansion.Plenty of those whisked by, each grander than the last.Maybe he’s holing up in a vacant home like you hear people do.

I frowned, immediately throwing away that thought. Alistair said I had to go through the security process so they’d wave me in without a problem. Wouldn’t make sense to post security outside a house that’s supposed to be empty—unless you want to give yourself away.

“Where are we going?”

“There.” He motioned in the direction of something too fast for me to catch it. “Five minutes.”

I got the sense Ronin wasn’t much for chitchat. Sitting back, I got out my phone and texted Lucien.

Me: Busy tonight? What do you think about sneaking through the woods after midnight?

His reply was immediate.

Lucien: I think I love you, and I’m so glad you’re back. It’s about time we finished our date.

I loved that this is what passed for a date between me and my Rogues. What did people with normal boyfriends even do? From watching Katie, it was just a lot of hooking up in random places and eating at Toussaint’s. I’m betting the two of them never shared empanadas and conversation while exploding cars and ratting out cheaters.

Me: I want more than anything to finish our date, but I was thinking of something a lot less sexy for tonight. Katie told me Everleigh used to visit Everton in a cabin in the woods somewhere. We’ve got a list of five possible places. We need to see what she’s got in there, because I’d bet everything in Saylor’s bank account on that being the one place Everleigh lets her guard down.

Again, his reply came back in an instant.

Lucien: Send me the list.

I fished it out, flicking back and forth to type the first one in.

“Here.”

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