Chapter Eighteen
Aaliyah
I ’m not sure what made me reach for Hayes’s hand, but as we walk back to my house, it feels right. He has this energy about him that calms me—centers me. Talking to him had been easier than I thought it would be, and I’d told him every ugly detail of what I’ve been through. I’d expected disgust or pity, but he offered neither of those.
Instead, with just a kiss, he’d shown me the depth of his desire to know me. He’d poured his awe and anger at what had been done to me into his touch. I’m not sure I’ve ever felt more wanted than I did during that kiss. He hadn’t made fun of me for my freakout, and then he’d told me there were six people who wanted me.
Not my body, but me.
It’s a lot, I’m not going to lie. But he makes me want to try.
I believe him when he says I can count on him. He won’t hurt me on purpose.
Even if nothing romantic ends up happening between any of us, I need to at least attempt to work with them. I might not like how Tyson worded his argument, but he’s right. It’s dumb for us to work on this separately. I don’t know how well I’ll work as part of a group, but I’m going to try.
Let’s just hope no one ends up dead who shouldn’t.
When we step out of the trees into my backyard, I’m surprised to find the five we left behind sitting outside. No one says anything as we move closer.
“I’m sorry,” Tyson grits out without looking up from the ground. “I shouldn’t have blown up like that.”
I’m sure someone forced him to apologize, but even though it sounds a bit forced, he sounds genuine.
“I’m sorry for making it worse.” Tyson looks surprised when he lifts his eyes to meet mine, and I offer him a smile. “I can admit when I’m wrong—even if it’s not often.”
There’s another moment of silence before everyone laughs, the remaining tension leaking away.
“Look, I’m not used to working with others. I don’t know how good I’ll be at it, but I’m willing to try. You’re right that we need to bring this drug ring to its knees. The only information I get comes from the guild when they send me a new target, so I might not be much use for that.” I grin wickedly. “But I’m very good at killing, so you can definitely count me in for that.”
“Thank goodness, hot stuff,” River says as she hops out of her seat. “I was afraid I was going to have to hog-tie you in a room until we got you to give us a chance. This is much better.”
I snort as she bounces over to me. “Hot stuff? What is with you guys and the nicknames?”
“Nicknames mean we like you.” River grins, grabbing the front of my shirt, pulling me down the four inches to her height, and kissing me. “It means you’re ours. Mine.”
Seeing the hungry look in her eyes as her smile falls away for just a moment, a shiver rolls through me. Why do I like her calling me hers?
She releases me as the smile returns to her face. “Come on! We have work to do. Let’s head inside. I need my tablet.”
I bite back a laugh as I watch everyone stand and follow her inside. I love that they don’t question her, just do as she says.
Reid pauses in the doorway, raising his eyebrows. “Are you coming?”
“Yeah.”
We get settled in the living room with Kira at my feet, on guard as she watches the others. “Settle Kira, Before we get started, I need to do introductions. Kira won’t relax until she knows you’re not a threat to me.”
I go around the room, telling Kira each of their names until she gives a short bark and lays at my feet. Hayes catches my eyes, cocking his eyebrow as if to say, “See?” and I shoot him a smile.
“My next target is Kenneth DuPont. He has his hands in a lot of pots. He owns a bunch of businesses that he doesn’t seem to do a damn thing at. He buys them and lets others run them. He’s a point of contact between whoever is at the top and the middle management of the ring.” I pull up a picture of him from the internet, turning the laptop around so they can see. “He seems to be a frequent user of Dragon’s Fire. According to the information, his magic isn’t increasing like Alistair’s. Do we know why there’s a difference?”
River hums. “He’s one of the names we have on our list as well. We didn’t realize he was that high up. As far as the effects of the drugs, we haven’t completely figured it out. I’m thinking that they’re making two different drugs—one for the masses and the other for those that Alistair deemed worthy. Or that the top dog deems worthy.”
“Maybe I should’ve asked him some questions before I killed him.” I sigh. “Too late now. DuPont has a penthouse at the center of the city that he spends most of his time at, partying. No wife or kids. No family to speak of, actually. I think the best way to come at him is at one of his parties. He doesn’t discriminate against those he invites. I don’t think anyone would question us being there.”
Tyson considers me for a moment. “That’s not a bad plan. We just need to hammer out the details.”
As much as I want to roll my eyes and tell him to fuck off, he’s right. Luckily, it doesn’t take too long for us to work it all out. By the time we finish, my stomach is growling loudly.
“Sounds like someone needs to be fed. Why don’t I make us some food,” Hayes offers, and I wince.
“There’s nothing here. I need to go grocery shopping,”
He smiles. “That’s okay. Why don’t you write me up a list of things you need, and I’ll take Reid with me?”
I frown. I don’t know how I feel about them going shopping for me. He must guess what I’m thinking as he laughs.
“I’m going to have to leave to get food anyway. There’s still more that River and Tyson need to go over with you. Reid and I don’t need to be here for that. I might as well get your shopping done for you so you don’t have to worry about it.”
I shrug. “Sure, if you don’t mind. You’re not paying for my food, though. I have more money than I know what to do with, so you’ll use my card. And if you don’t, then we’ll have problems.”
He holds up his hands in surrender. “Yes, ma’am.”
I type up my list before asking him for his email. He and Reid are out the door five minutes later, leaving me with Tyson, River, Naomi, and Archer. I want to ask the demons why they’re even here, but I already know the answer they’ll give—me. I’m the reason they’re here.
So, instead of saying anything to them, I pretend like they’re not there as I focus on River and Tyson. “What else do you have for me?”
River moves over to sit beside me, bringing her tablet with her. I set aside my computer, trying not to tense up when Tyson moves to my other side. River soon distracts me from Tyson’s presence as she goes over all the information they have on the drug ring.
I’m surprised to find they have a lot of information. There are two other names they have on their list besides DuPont, people they believe to be middle management. I wonder if those names will end up on my kill list. They also have a ton of information about different dealers and locations where the drugs are being packaged. The one thing they’ve been unable to figure out is who is running the ring or where they’re running it from.
If they could figure out that, then they’d be able to figure out where Tyson’s sister is—which is the entire reason they started looking into the ring in the first place.
Reaching out, I lay my hand on Tyson’s and squeeze as I turn to him. “We’ll find her. No matter how many people I have to kill or how long it takes, we’ll find her and give her the freedom she deserves—I vow it to you.”
Once more, I feel the magic of my vow tightening around my heart. I’ve been making an awful lot of them recently, and I’m not sure how I feel about it.
“Thank you, Aaliyah.” His words are soft. He looks like he wants to say more, but the front door flies open as Hayes and Reid return with bags in hand.
“There are more bags in the car if the rest of you wouldn’t mind grabbing them with Reid. Foxy girl, come help me put them up. I don’t want to put things in the wrong place.”
Laughing, I trail him into the kitchen. There’s a lot more food than was on my list, but I keep my mouth shut as we put everything away. Once we’re done, Hayes shoos me out of the kitchen so he can start cooking.
Naomi stops me before I reach the others. “Can I talk to you?”
“You’re talking to me right now,” I say with a smile that only grows when she rolls her eyes.
“In private? Please?”
I already know what she wants to talk about. We might as well get it over with now. “Sure, we can head upstairs to my office.” Glancing at the others, Reid gives me a nod, telling me he heard us. I gesture for Naomi to follow me as I lead her up the stairs.
I don’t want to have this conversation, but I’ve known it was coming. I’m surprised I made it this long before she pushed me on it.
Let’s just hope it doesn’t go as badly as I think it will.