Chapter 23
RYDER
I’m blindsided by something new every damn day. If it ain’t one thing, it’s a fucking nother. What T unloaded on me makes unfortunate sense. Our leak is a distant bystander who has been close enough to stay up on all of our missions and easily report it back to that fucking cunt Lilith.
The flag was created hours ago, so I have no doubt Lilith has gained knowledge of such.
I’ve informed security to do a run over their gear and weaponry and prepare for their arrival.
I relocated Jessie to our other property, which I purchased under a false name, and made it extremely clear she isn’t allowed to leave.
Kelsey, on the other hand, will remain with me.
Her parents live in a quaint little neighborhood in a quaint little house.
Something about it warms my cold soul. Maybe the thought of happy families living closely together, sharing lifelong memories, and being excited to reunite with your family after a long work day.
A normal life. The life I craved as a child, but never got, because I was stuck with absent parents who never wanted the responsibility of kids. Fuck them.
I don’t notice anything out of the ordinary when we park in the driveway. Everything is tidy like usual, and the doors and windows are all intact.
“You don’t have to go with me.” She says, eyeing the front door hesitantly as we stand beside the car. I take note that her parents haven’t come out yet to greet their daughter.
“I go where you go until Lilith is in my custody and the flag is lifted.”
She nods and slowly approaches the door while I stay behind her, my hand pressed gently to the swell of her back in silent encouragement. Habitually, I turn and face the street behind us, checking around the corners of the house and watching for anyone to jump out at us.
“It’s too quiet,” She murmurs. Her hand lingered on the long, curved handle.
A faint tremor runs through her petite body.
My tattooed hand curves over hers as I push the handle down, taking matters into my own hands, but trying not to rush her.
A deep guttural feeling takes place inside me.
I don’t know her parents, but something doesn’t feel right here.
I don’t want my uneasiness to rub off on Kelsey and escalate her already elevated anxiety. The door is locked—no surprise. I fish out the pocket knife in my jeans pocket and begin working on the door latch. Kelsey didn’t bring her keys with her, so we have to do this the hard way.
“They might have gone on a last-minute vacation. Try to calm down.” As soon as the last words left my mouth, I bit down on them, grimacing.
Did I really just say “calm down” to a woman?
After all the years living with Jessie, you would think I would’ve learned by now.
Her head turns to me slowly, and the pissed off wet kitten returns.
Well, at least her anxiety is gone—for now.
“Oh, I’m sorry. Let me just calm down real quick.”
Yeah, I fucked up. “Baby, I didn’t mean it like that.” A slow grin begins to form the angrier she gets. “But if this is the look you give me over it, I might have to do it more often.”
She smacks my arm, and I chuckle, pulling the door open. My laugh dies in my constricted throat the second we step foot through the door.