Chapter 34
RHETT
Headlights cut through the navy skyline, temporarily blurring my vision as my eyes adjust to the break in the darkness. I grab hold of the duffel bag resting at my feet and rise to a stand.
Next to me, Noah mirrors my movement, pushing from the outdoor swing before she wraps her arms around my neck and peers up at me through thick lashes. “I know what you said”—tears gather in her eyes—“but you don’t have to do this, Rhett.”
I can see the apprehension on her face, and although it kills me to know she’s worried about the outcome of this trip, it’s something I need to do. For both of us.
The truck comes to a halt at the base of the porch steps, but my brothers can wait. I need a moment to reassure her that no matter what happens, I won’t feel an ounce of guilt for it.
Lifting my free hand to Noah’s face, I brush a finger across her cheekbone and sweep tousled hair behind her ear.
“I love you, Noah. Hell, I can’t remember a time when I didn’t,” I pause, falling victim to the whiskey brewing in her eyes.
“My only goals in this life are to make you happy and keep you safe. I failed the first time, but please, don’t hold it against me.
” A lump lodges in my throat, but I force it down and continue, “Instead, let me ensure that every day from here on out is a day you’re free from the demons that haunt you.
Let me love you the best way I know how—selflessly, unconditionally, protectively, and when the time calls for it, violently. ”
“Rhett, I … I lo—”
“Sh. Not now. Tell me when I come back.” My thumb swipes at the lone tear that caresses her cheek.
“I could stand here day and night, spewing cliches about burning the world down for you, but even that wouldn’t come close to the lengths I’d go.
” Dipping my head, my lips brush the tip of her nose.
I draw in a breath, then rest my forehead against hers, hand cupping her jaw.
“Never underestimate the things I’d do for you, Noah.
I won’t stop until every last one of them has paid for the scars left beneath your skin. Let me erase your demons.”
Her arms move to circle my waist as she buries her head against my chest. “Promise me you’ll be safe.”
“Always, Starlet.”
We stand there for a moment, embracing each other, neither of us ready to let go. The truck’s tailgate slams, drawing my attention toward Kade. He’s handing an overnight bag to Sage as he kisses her goodbye.
“Guess that’s my cue.” Framing Noah’s jawline, I tilt her face upward until her eyes lock to mine. “I left my phone here, but as soon as I can, I’ll call you from the burners Jace got for us.”
She nods on an inhale and audibly swallows. “Remember your promise. Come home.”
“In every lifetime.” As I descend the porch steps, Sage approaches. With a wink, I add, “Look after my girl for me.”
“You got it, big brother.” A smile lights up Sage’s face as she teases me. “Make sure none of you get arrested. I don’t fancy bailing out a bunch of Rivers boys from jail.”
“Don’t worry, nobody will even know we’re there.” I tip my chin and keep walking.
As I near the unfamiliar F-350, Kade tosses me the keys and pulls open the passenger door. “You take the first shift.”
“Whose truck is this?” A week ago, Kade said he had our transportation handled, but judging by the shit-eating grin dancing across his scruffy face, I’m sure I already know the answer, but I want to make him admit it.
“I borrowed it from an old friend.” He shrugs his shoulders, eyes bouncing to the back seat where Jace and Cole are seated, sniggering between themselves.
“Kade.” I raise a brow, knowing full well my brother hates most people, except his family and Sage. “You don’t have any fuckin’ friends.”
His hand flies to his chest in mock dismay. “Careful, Rhett. You’ll hurt my feelings.”
I pull open the driver's door with a chuckle. “You don’t have any of those either.”
Once I’ve hiked myself into the cab, I toss a glance into the back seat. The twins greet me quickly before dropping their gazes back to their laptop screens. Jace grumbles something that sounds awfully like, “Gotcha, motherfucker,” while Cole responds with a barely audible, “Hotel secured.”
I shake my head and turn the key in the ignition, knowing better than to disturb them while they’re doing their thing.
The cab is silent until we pull off the back roads that connect our ranch to civilization, but curiosity itches at my skin.
From the corner of my eye, I glance at Kade. “This is a nice truck. Are you sure your friend doesn’t mind us using it?”
“Nah,” Kade grunts. “Won’t even know it’s missing.”
I jam on the brakes, thankful there’s nobody driving through town at four in the morning. The last thing we need is to cause a fucking pileup. “Please tell me you didn’t steal this truck.”
“Calm your ball hair, Rhett.” He chuckles. “I didn’t steal shit. I borrowed it. We’ll have it back in a few days, and nobody will be the wiser.” He shrugs his shoulders like it’s no big deal. “Besides, Toby’s hardly in a position to report it missing, is he?”
“Mother of fuck.” I scrub my hand down my face. I fucking knew it. “Please tell me you’re kidding and I am not driving a dead man’s truck.”
“Can’t do that, Rhett. Lying isn’t a level I’d stoop to. Besides, it’s not like he’s going to be using it anytime soon.” His nonchalance should be unsettling, but this is Kade, and nothing he ever does comes as a surprise anymore. “You needed a truck, and I got you one.”
“Are you trying to get us arrested? Fucking hell, Kade.”
“Nice horse, Rhett. A little high and mighty, though. Besides, I’ve been meaning to move it for a while now. We need to keep his presence alive, even though he’s rotting in the dirt.”
A hand appears between the seats, forcing me to crane my neck.
“Which is why we used these.” My gaze flicks to the bank cards in Cole’s grip and the name embossed in the plastic.
Toby S. Johnson. “Who needs cash when you can use a dead man’s credit cards?
The hotel is on Toby, and I made sure it was the best suite they had. ”
Shaking my head, I put my foot on the gas and keep moving. “There is something seriously wrong with all of you,” I grunt.
Kade tosses his head back as he barks out a laugh. “Says the guy that’s draggin’ his three brothers across state lines to commit a double homicide. Hypocrite much.”
As I stare at my reflection in the bathroom mirror, I run my fingers along my freshly shaved jaw. It feels unfamiliar beneath my touch, skin still tight from the razor, exposed in a way that makes me feel stripped down to the rawest version of myself, and more importantly, unrecognizable.
I swallow the lump forming in the base of my throat and step back into the suite where my brothers are setting up.
Kade’s stretched out on the bed, boots still on, hands laced behind his head like he’s killing time.
But his eyes lift the second I move, tracking me without effort.
“I called Sage. She and Noah are okay. Said Jo’s already planning margaritas and bad decisions. ”
“Thanks.” My gaze wanders the room without conscious effort. “I’ll phone later and check in.”
I cut across the suite toward the balcony.
Cables trail from the table to the wall, looping under my boots as I step over them.
Jace’s fingers keep moving, tapping out a rhythm that doesn’t falter when my shadow passes over his screen.
Cole shifts to give me room without looking up, the camera feed on his laptop adjusting as he does.
The curtain brushes my knuckles as I reach the glass and push it aside, the city’s lights bleeding in around the edges.
The gentleman’s club across the street glows low and discreet, its name etched in brushed metal, windows blacked out, the kind of place that pretends refinement while feeding on secrecy.
I stare at it longer than necessary, my reflection faint in the glass, jaw bare, eyes already hard.
“Is everything set?” I grunt.
“Yeah.” Cole lifts the baseball cap from his head and drops it next to his laptop. “Everything went as planned.”
“Marcus and Paulie are arriving an hour before Bradley,” Jace confirms. “That should give you enough time to get in and out.”
Kade rolls from the bed and comes to stand next to me. “And nothing can trace back to us?”
“No.” Jace shakes his head. “We were able to hack into their emails and send invites. Trust us, when his buddies show up dead, Bradley will be the only suspect.”
“How did you convince him to accept the invite?”
Cole chuckles. “It was easy enough. They meet here regularly, according to their other exchanges.”
“Typical Monday night for the rich and shameless,” Jace raises a brow.
“As for cameras,” Cole quips, seeming pleased.
“There are none inside the building. Only entrances and exits.” Of course, there aren’t.
Men like this don’t want proof. They want immunity.
“Once we’re a go, I can loop the back entrance feeds,” he continues, “allowing you both to get in without needing to sign in at the front desk. The mandatory masks will help once you’re inside. ”
“Mandatory masks?” Kade chuckles. “Kinky!”
“Some of the most powerful men in the country are inside,” Jace adds. “A-listers. Politicians. Faces people trust.”
My jaw tightens, a slow, deliberate clench. “And Bradley’s VIP room?”
“Second floor. Third door on the left.”
Kade’s eyes cut to me. “You got everything you need?”
I don’t check my pockets. I don’t inventory the bag. I don’t think about blood or noise or aftermath.
I think about Noah’s mouth at my ear on the porch.
About the way she didn’t ask me to stop.
About the promise I made without dressing it up as mercy.
“Yes.” The word doesn’t shake. It doesn’t ask forgiveness.
I let the curtain fall back into place, cutting the club from view even though it’s already carved itself into my focus.
“Then let’s do this.”
These men put their hands on the love of my life like she was nothing. I’m about to show them how personal that mistake was.
One question races to the forefront of my mind. Is this the man you want to be? The kind who kills for love? I smile to myself. Abso-fucking-lutely.