Chapter 32
Victor
Serenity passed out beside me—the movie completely forgotten. With my phone clutched in my hand, I had to stay awake and alert. I ended up watching the rest of Scream, but considering I missed the first forty or so minutes, I had no clue why people were dying.
Her head is still in my lap, and I run my fingers through her red hair. The credits roll up the screen, but I can’t focus on the words or names. Reaching over as carefully as I can, I grab the remote and turn off the TV.
I hate leaving her here while I go meet with Matt’s spy, but this is something I have to do. Still, I wish I could bring her to my bed and fall asleep with her in my arms.
My phone buzzes, and I turn on the screen. My stomach drops when I see the name.
Elias
A man is at Serenity’s condo right now. Your men tried to apprehend him, but he escaped.
Another text comes through.
Elias
Harmony saw it, so you don’t have long before Serenity finds out. I told her to hold off and let you handle it, but that will only work for a little bit.
Considering Serenity is sleeping on me, I can’t call Martin, so I pull up our text thread.
Update on Serenity’s condo now.
Martin
A masked man with a hood pulled over his face showed up. We tried to detain him, but he ran off and escaped into the woods. He lost my men.
Did he say anything?
Martin
Nothing.
I stand and pick up Serenity, bringing her to her bedroom. Placing her in bed, I pull the blanket over her. She moves a little, snuggling into the blankets, but her eyes remain closed. I’d give anything to be that blanket right now.
I head outside where the SUV is idling with Jay in the driver’s seat, and one of my bodyguards in the passenger.
Normally, I don’t go around with one, but with everything going on, I have more men on me and my family than usual.
Before I can close my door, Serenity pops up next to me.
I jump and place a hand over my pounding heart.
“Are you trying to do a jump scare like the movie we just watched?”
She laughs as she rubs her eye. “No, but you left me in my room, so I came to see what was going on.”
I scoot over so she can climb in beside me. Once the door is closed, I say, “I’m going to meet the guy who infiltrated the gang. He can only see me tonight.”
Her mouth parts.
“I know you can’t come because Summer is sleeping, and Annie isn’t here to watch her.” When she opens her mouth to protest, I continue, “But I was going to tell you everything in the morning.”
She sits there for a minute, not speaking, rubbing her chin. A strand of her red hair falls into her face, and I have the urge to move it for her. But I don’t. I can imagine all the questions running through her mind, but I wait for her to be ready.
“Okay.”
Serenity always has a lot to say, but when she doesn’t speak, I say, “Go to bed. I’ll be back before you wake up.”
She nods, but I can see the wheels turning in her mind. Then she leans in and gives me a quick peck on the lips. She reaches for the door handle, pausing when I touch her arm. When she turns back, I pull her to me. Our gazes hold. The same fire I always see is alive in her eyes.
“What aren’t you saying?”
Serenity sighs. “I’m scared you’re going to get hurt.”
Something inside of me snaps into place. No matter how much she denies how she feels, she cares. And I’ll latch onto that little piece of hope she’s giving me.
“I won’t. I promise.”
She shakes her head. “You can’t promise something like that.”
I wink. “Good thing I know a fantastic nurse who can patch me up.”
She smacks me while scowling. “I’m serious. One day, I got the call my husband was in a car wreck, and he never came home again. I don’t want that to happen with you.”
I always think everything through when I speak, but the first time I don’t, I put my foot in my mouth. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t think.”
“Just promise not to take any unnecessary risks.”
I nod. “I promise. And don’t worry; I have Miller with me.”
Serenity nods, exiting with another quick kiss, and the moment she pulls away, coldness wraps around me. Now, she’s going to go to bed with thoughts of my stupidity. No matter how much she resents her late husband, giving her any sort of thoughts that I may end up hurt was so wrong my heart aches.
I’m so lost in my mind, it’s almost like we teleported to the hotel.
Jay parks out front, and I head inside with Miller. The desk manager helps with new arrivals check-in. Nothing seems out of place.
Halfway down the long corridor, I stop at a door marked Conference Room 1.
A man with black hair sits inside at the large rectangular table, scrolling through his phone.
He looks like a regular person in black slacks and a button-down shirt—probably to blend in better here, but his muscles look like they’re about to rip his shirt. His foot taps, and he bites his lip.
Something is wrong.
I enter without my bodyguard and close the blinds on the door and windows. Maybe that will help ease his anxiety. The man glances up from his cell and pushes to his feet.
“Mr. Barlowe, I presume?”
I nod and stride over to the table, sitting in an office chair across from him. “So, what do you have for me?”
He takes something out of his pocket and places it on the table. A flash drive. “This.”
Eying it, I glance back at him. “What’s on it?”
“Pictures of the higher-ups in the gang. I was also able to take a few photos of some of the regular members. I bet the lackeys are the ones breaking into your girl’s house though.”
I reach across the table and pick up the drive. I turn the small device around in my fingers. This could have a lot of the answers I’m looking for. Even if we don’t recognize anyone, Matt can run it through facial recognition. I’ll have to get it to him right away.
“How much longer do you think you can stay there? If we don’t find what we need in these pictures, I’ll need you to take more pictures of the rest of the members.”
“I’d prefer to get out in two weeks.” His voice is firm even though he poses it as a suggestion. “The longer I stay, the more they’ll have me do unethical things.”
I quirk an eyebrow. “More?”
His dark eyes harden. “How else do you think I gained their trust?”
My gut twists. What did this man have to do in order to do my bidding? “No matter what, even if we don’t find what or who I’m looking for, I’ll pull you out in two weeks.”
The man nods once. “Thank you, sir.”