Chapter 19 Aiden #3
Rook and Evie had to have noticed by now when I didn’t come out of my room this morning, but it wouldn’t matter—they wouldn’t be able to find me.
The target we had been hunting down was nothing more than a criminal, a thief, a killer. I would be dead soon.
Rook and Evie filled my thoughts—the only two people on this earth who would miss me. The only two who would even know I was gone.
It was Evie’s face that stuck. We had celebrated her eighteenth birthday and she would never forgive me for disappearing so close to the date.
My favorite stubborn as hell girl who demanded my respect and attention.
My head lulled. I knew there were more cuts on my body somewhere. I knew I was losing blood, but there was nothing I could do now.
I wasn’t sure how long passed before the door slammed open. Probably my captor coming to dispose of my body by now.
My eyes cracked open—long, dirty-blonde hair filled my vision, followed by bright blue eyes.
I nearly smiled at my ending, but the sting of a palm against my cheek jolted me upright.
“What the hell?” I said, trying to get my bearings.
“I should be asking you the same thing.” Evie’s eyes narrowed. “Why the hell have you been here all night? And why do you look like death?”
“I think because I’m dying. Although, I feel like my last dreams should not be you slapping me—no matter how appropriate that is.”
She groaned and pulled at my arms. I hissed, pulling them back. They were tied behind me and I was pretty sure one of them was broken.
“What are you doing here?” she asked, patting me down.
“They took my knife.” My throat was raw now. “It’s over there on the front of that car.”
She ran for it, sliding to my side and starting in on the ties at my wrists.
“We’re getting out of here, but while we have a second, you’re going to tell me exactly what the fuck is going on, Aiden.”
It was a fair demand. More than fair, but it was one I didn’t want to give.
We had hidden the truth of what we do from Evie for three years now.
We never knew how dangerous it was going to be and we never wanted her in danger.
We had agreed to hide it, but we both knew it wouldn’t stay hidden forever.
Especially when we were quickly becoming the go-to people in Valeport to fix criminals’ issues.
We’d even brought in Hero and Mason because we couldn’t keep up with demand.
Business was thriving, and it looked like Evie was about to know exactly what that business was.
“Fine, but I’m giving you the quick note version. We can talk about the rest with Rook.”
She gave a sharp nod in agreement, going quiet as she worked.
I spilled what I could, telling her about the business, how we were successful, how we had lied, but only to keep her safe from situations like this.
With barely a blink, Evie took it all in. “You assholes,” she said, her voice quiet. “I knew you weren’t delivery boys.”
I grinned. “We kind of are, but less pizza and more bodies type of deliveries. You mad?”
“Absolutely livid, but we have to get out of here before I kill you myself.”
I went quiet until realization dawned on me.
“How did you know I was here?”
It was her turn to grin.
“Women aren’t dumb, Aiden. I know you two have been up to something and lying about it.
I let it go, but I’m an adult now and deserve to know.
I put a little tracker on both your bikes last week.
When we woke up to you gone and not answering us, I checked it.
Rook was already out looking for you and I didn’t exactly want to explain to him that I put trackers on you both unless it was an emergency. ”
“Is this an emergency?”
“Maybe, but I’m sure as hell not stopping to give him a call.”
I leaned my head back, pulling my arms free as the rope dropped and she started in on the tape they had around my ankles.
“You’re such a little psycho,” I said, my voice soft and full of love. Evie could be absolutely unhinged. Part of me was glad we hadn’t told her what we do to save her becoming a bloodthirsty little thing, part of me had been impatiently waiting to watch Evie unleash herself into this world.
“I’m the psycho? You’re the one hunting criminals and getting caught by them again and again.”
“That’s insanity.” Before I could keep prodding her, the door burst open—one of the guys who had tied me up stepped inside and took in the scene before him.
Evie didn’t break focus, the last of the tape breaking as she stood. The knife went from her hand into the guy’s throat without a second thought.
“Holy shit.” My eyes swung back to her as the guy dropped to the ground.
“Lucky hit,” she said, her words a small tremble. “Can we go?”
I nodded, following her out. I couldn’t do anything but stare.
Evie. I should have known she wouldn’t step into this life. She would crash right in and most likely take over the entire thing.
It looked like I had a long few days ahead of me, telling her everything we had been doing.
It also looked like I was about to buy her the prettiest knife I could get my hands on because no one was getting past her with knife skills like that.