Chapter 19
Chapter Nineteen
Landon
It’s taken control I didn’t think I had not to beat the shit out of Tex.
I watched as he and Allora talked in the reception area, with her growing increasingly more annoyed.
Then I nearly pounded his face in when he opened his mouth in the conference room.
The idea that she was somehow responsible for what happened doesn’t sit right with me.
Even before this, something about the guy was rubbing me the wrong way.
He’s tall but not as tall as I am, probably around six one, with slicked back dark hair and a goatee that hangs a little too long.
His eyes are light but deep-set, making him look annoyed all the time.
Or maybe that’s just how he is. And his whole Texas persona is ridiculous.
This is California and from what Allora told me, he moved away from Texas when he was thirteen.
I don’t understand the longhorns tattooed on his arms or the cowboy boots he wears, even though everyone else in the club wears boots. Like he’s trying too hard to hang on to roots that he left as a child. Or maybe I’m just jealous of his previous relationship with Allora.
Either way, I don’t get a good feeling about him and intend to do a deep dive on him the first chance I get.
In the meantime, I have to sit here, waiting for Silver to get back and wondering if Allora is okay.
I know Luna is out there and though she’s not a bodyguard, she’s a security expert who wouldn’t hesitate to let us know there was a problem.
She should’ve been in the meeting with us, but Daniil said she’s working on something important so she’s out there instead.
Silver comes in a minute later, and Allora follows after a few seconds.
Our eyes meet across the room, and I know she’s been crying.
I’m going to hurt the next person who makes her cry.
I don’t even care if it’s her dad. And to my surprise and delight, she sinks down next to me this time, instead of next to her father like before.
I want to lift my middle finger in Tex’s direction but figure that’ll only make things harder on her, so I restrain myself.
I do, however, spread my legs just enough so that the side of one of my thighs presses against hers. She doesn’t look at me, but I note the faint smile playing on her lips. I hope she knows I have her back. And any other parts she wants to share.
The meeting goes long, with Silver and Daniil going back and forth about the intel they’ve collected.
The truth is, when it’s all said and done, no one knows anything concrete.
Most of what we know is conjecture. We have a good idea what they’re doing, and some semblance of an idea of how they’re doing it and to whom, but we don’t know who’s in charge, where they’re based, or what happens to the victims. We can only guess.
And I don’t like guessing.
The trouble starts again when Daniil mentions the security plan for the trip to Denver. Despite not planning to tell him, someone must have mentioned it and now it’s turning into a big deal.
“She is not going to Denver!” Tex jumps to his feet, slamming both hands down on the table.
“Sit down.” Silver gives him a look that brooks no argument, and Tex does as he’s told, but it obviously costs him.
“We are no closer to catching these guys than we were a week ago,” Daniil continues patiently.
“And Allora can’t just stay in hiding for the rest of her life.
If nothing else, this portrays the illusion that she’s gone back to her life.
Assuming they’re still watching, they’re going to think she’s an easy target.
It might draw them out. And the goal is to take at least one of them alive. ”
“Guys like that will never talk,” Tex mutters.
“Oh, they’ll talk,” Silver says, a gleam in his eyes. “They chose the wrong guy’s daughter.”
“I’m sending Grim and Chaos with her to Denver,” Daniil continues like they didn’t interrupt. “I’m also going to have my wife fly them there in our helicopter instead of flying commercial.”
“Helicopter?” Silver looks impressed.
“Your wife is a pilot?” Tex demands at the same time.
Daniil chuckles. “Don’t let her pregnant belly fool you. She was a badass marine who did two tours in the Middle East, and she can still kick ass and take names in retirement.”
“You’re going to let your pregnant wife fly a helicopter?” Tex continues, like he can’t believe it.
Daniil just laughs. “Well, first of all, I don’t let my wife do anything—she has a mind of her own. And this was her idea. We just bought the helicopter and she’s been dying to try it out on a longer trip, so why not now?”
Tex looks like he’s going to say something but Silver gives him a look meant to shut him up and it seems to work.
I didn’t know Courtney was going to fly us to Denver, but that’s pretty cool.
“Isn’t it better if she stays in hiding for now?” Tex asks, looking at Silver.
“I’m not going to stay in hiding,” Allora interjects firmly.
“Isn’t it better than not living at all?” he counters.
She rolls her eyes. “I don’t know, but there’s no point in being alive if you’re not actually enjoying life.
And I have to work. This kidnapping already cost me a lot of money and that doesn’t even include what it’s going to take to fix up the damage to my condo.
No, I’m going back to work. I’ll be as safe as possible, but those assholes who took me don’t get to control anything else. ”
I watch the flicker of annoyance in Tex’s expression but he’s smart enough not to say anything.
Good thing.
I’m looking for any excuse to punch him.
“Short-term, Allora is going to stay here,” Daniil says. “We’ve fixed up a room in the back. It’s sparse but private and you’ll be safe here. Luna is working on arrangements in Denver, and we’ll figure something else out for when you get back.”
Allora eventually leaves the room, with the guy they call Metal trailing behind her. I’m about to follow when Silver stops me.
“Grim.” He puts a hand on my arm. “Just want you to know I appreciate you keeping my girl safe.”
I nod. “Of course.”
“I’m counting on you not to let anything happen in Denver.” His gaze is direct and intense.
“Like I told her, the only way they get to her is if I’m dead.”
If he’s surprised by that, he doesn’t show it. “Thank you.”
“Don’t fuck it up,” Tex adds, joining the conversation. “Or you’ll have me to answer to.”
I turn, arching a brow at him. “Like I just said, the only way they get to her is if I’m already dead, so you’re the least of my worries.” The insult is veiled, but I know he gets it because his eyes narrow.
“I’ve already talked to him,” Silver says, deflecting. “Let me say goodbye to Allora and then we’ll get out of here.”
The two of them file out and I follow more slowly.
“You look like you’re ready to skin him alive,” Rage murmurs from behind me.
“Believe me, I wish he’d give me a reason. Any reason to break his nose.”
Rage chuckles. “Yeah, I’d like to take a swing myself.”
“What a fucking douche.”
We get out to the reception area, and I see Allora chatting with Metal, her demeanor much more relaxed than it tends to be with Tex, and Tex is watching them in obvious irritation.
“What do you think that’s about?” Rage asks quietly.
“No idea.”
A few minutes later Silver, Tex, and Metal are gone and Allora goes over to chat with Luna.
The two of them seem to be getting friendly, which is a good thing.
She needs women to talk to right now, even if they don’t discuss anything about her attack.
It’s more about some semblance of normalcy than anything else and Allora seems like the type of woman who has a lot of friends.
“Anything you want to tell me?” Rage asks as we head into the back to work out.
“No. Why?”
He chuckles. “Come on, this is me. You think I didn’t notice the state you were in when you answered the door this morning?”
Jesus. Fucking. Christ.
“Mind your own business,” I mutter.
“Dude, I’m not busting your balls. I just want to make sure you’ve thought this through.”
“Seriously?” I scowl. “Of course I’ve fucking thought this through. Besides, it was just a kiss. Nothing serious.”
“Serious enough for you to want to fly across the table and knock the snot out of Tex.”
“Come on—you wanted to do the same. Something about him pisses people off.”
“Yeah.” Rage is momentarily thoughtful. “Hard to believe they used to date.”
“They were in high school. I think we all dated some version of Tex in high school.”
He grimaces. “Uh, not me. Definitely not me. Didn’t know you swung that way either.”
I flip him the bird as I get on the treadmill.
After my workout, I’m going to have Luna dig up every single thing there is to find on Tex.