Page 41 of Tabitha

He holsters his gun like it’s a normal, everyday occurrence to pull out a weapon in public. With a mocking salute to Bast, Banks tromps down the steps with all the grace of a toddler. The two sides get into a glaring contest with each other as the mercenaries leave.

I turn toward River with a pout, disappointed he didn’t get to eliminate one of my targets. It would’ve been easier in the long run, especially since I’m not allowed to take any of them out myself until the end of the month.

How annoying!

Banks casts a glance at me over his shoulder. Though irritated at missing the opportunity to shove me out of town faster, he also appears intrigued, like I’m a puzzle he can’t quite figure out.

Which works in my favor.

If I can get close to him, it will be easier to monitor him and his crew. The sooner I find McNeil, the sooner I can complete my assignment and then maybe allow myself to see what all the fuss is about with the opposite sex.

Chapter Thirteen

GAGE

We follow Tabitha inside like she’s the fucking Pied Piper of cocks. I’m shaking with rage at the unnecessary risks she took with River’s life. Everything could have been avoided if she hadn’t been playing games.

I barely enter the kitchen before she turns toward me, crosses her arms, and raises a single brow in challenge. “Speak before you explode.”

“You had no right to risk his life that way.” I march right up to her until I’m towering over her, but the chit doesn’t even have the common sense to be afraid. “Do you honestly think Banks had any intention of allowing River to survive the fight?”

“Of course not.” Tabitha rolls her eyes and walks away to look in the fridge, like the argument is done.

Who the fuck does that?!

I throw my hands up with a huff, shooting a glare at Bast. It’s obvious the girl is mentally unstable. There is no way we can work under her supervision. She’ll get us killed before the end of the week.

Pierce strides toward the stove and sets a kettle to boil, completely unconcerned as he readies tea for her.

Maybe they’re both impaired.

Bast cocks his head, his eyes narrowed as if he’s trying to uncover her deepest secrets, but there is no figuring out crazy.

River purses his lips as he stares after the girl like a lovesick puppy, absently tapping the cleaver against his leg. The man is barely hanging on to his own sanity. Getting mixed up with her is just going to drag him over the edge.

It’s too dangerous for her to stay in town.

If anything happens to her, River would never recover from it.

Slamming the door to the fridge, Tabitha turns, then glares at Bast and points behind her. “You wanted that food. Cook it.”

Bast lifts a brow at the order. I wait for him to turn frosty, wait for him to glare at her so hard, she’ll relent. Grown men have been known to quiver in fear under his regard. Much to my shock, the big man dutifully crosses the room, instead, and begins gathering ingredients.

Really?

What the fuck is happening?!

I sink my fingers into my hair, gripping the strands to keep from pulling them out in frustration.

“What do you want me to do?” River steps forward, sticking the cleaver in his belt buckle like he’s a fucking pirate or something.

Tabitha nibbles on her lip, her silver eyes flaring wide with panic. Before she can answer, Pierce nudges her elbow, then hands her a cup of tea and whispers in her ear, “You can have him set the table.”

Tabitha smiles brightly, her shoulders slumping in relief. “Set the table.”

River immediately obeys with a bright smile. He collects the dishes with a tuneless whistle, then strides toward the table like he’s going to conquer the world.

I fall silent as I watch men I’ve known half my life act like they’re possessed. My arms fall to my sides, and I wonder what I’m missing. What do they see that I don’t?

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