Page 58 of The Piece You Stole

“Yet.” Dariel’s emerald gaze captures mine and holds it. “We’re going to need some things you left behind when you moved out.”

My guns.

What had been the point in bringing the guns that had failed to keep the woman I’d loved safe? So, I packed up most of my clothes and left everything behind, just as Kade walked away from his expensive computers and took up drinking and fucking.

“But not just my stuff,” I guess, glancing over at the police station. We’re far enough away that no one should be able to hear us, but there are still reporters milling around and curiosity is part of their job description.

“No,” Dariel agrees as he slips his phone from his pocket and hands it over to Kade. “You need to make the call. Whatever comes from it comes from it. We’ll deal with it after.”

Kade takes the phone as I frown in confusion. Why does it sound like something else is going on that I should know about?

And why, of all days, did I choosethisday to drink more than I have since I turned twenty-one?

“According to Leandro, he’s the sort of person who will spend money like water.” Dariel tells Kade. “Should make it easier for them.”

“I’ll need my laptop,” Kade says, making no move to dial.

“It’s why we’re going back to the house. How long will it take to update the software?”

Leandro leans against Dariel’s car, radiating curiosity.

Kade shrugs. “About an hour.”

“Good. While it does its thing, you can get to work on the security. We’re going to need more cameras.”

Given our house has to be one of the most secure in a quiet suburb of the city, Dariel must be seriously concerned about Rylan tracking us down. I don’t know what Leandro told him about Rylan, but whatever it was, it looks like Dariel is taking no chances, and that makes me nervous.

“But they won’t know about the house,” I remind Dariel.

Dariel grabs the passenger door and holds it open. “Doesn’t mean we shouldn’t prepare for it. Information is a two-way street. What we can find out about them—”

“They can find out about us.” Kade has his head bent over the cell phone, typing out a message as he slides into the passenger seat.

Dariel slams the door shut and turns to me, studying me for a beat. “You need to sober up. We’re going to need you sharp.”

I stiffen my spine. “I’ll get sharp.”

He pulls open the back door and I approach it with more hope than I had when we left the police station. We’ve had a door slammed in our faces, but we’re together, we’reworkingtogether, and we will get Saige back. Failure isn’t an option.

I’m slipping into the back seat when Leandro straightens from his lean. “And me? What do I get to do?”

Dariel doesn’t even look at him. “You can go the fuck home.” He moves to slam my door shut, but I grab the handle because whatever is going on between Dariel and his brother, I’m not eager to miss it. Since Kade has his head pointed in the same direction, it doesn’t look like he wants to miss this confrontation either.

Leandro gapes. “Now?Just when things are getting good?”

What does he think this is? A football game?

If Kade or Dariel don’t kill him, I will.

Dariel slams my door shut and turns away from Leandro without another word.

“But you said I could tell you more things,” Leandro pleads. “What I told you on the way here was just the tip of the iceberg.”

“You’ve told me enough.” Dariel rounds the back of the car as Leandro trails him. “You're a distraction, and we don't have time for that."

"Because you have to rescue this girl with the magical pu—”

Dariel spins to face Leandro.

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