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With no answer from Tell, I headed to Gavin’s, making sure that Hellena got home safely.
She did. Back to Gavin's.
I sat outside in the dark for hours, worrying that someone would come for her. Staring at the house, I debated whether I should make myself known. I still have her things. Her cell.
Hellena wouldn’t want to see me right now, though. Maybe never.
Control and guilt won out and I dragged myself away. Too much to do. The sexy old wolf will have to guard her for tonight. There are plans to put into motion.
I stalled the Matron, telling her I know where Hellena is and that I'll bring her first thing in the morning. Hopefully, that means nobody else is after her, not yet, anyway.
Vice and his goons are on the hunt, no doubt. Fortunately, they’ll likely go to ground until they know it’s safe to make their move.
They don’t know the lay of the land yet. So, it buys me time to find them.
I’m not sure what I'm going to do when I do.
After a stop at the office, a change of clothes, a bag with cash, my gun, my knife, I head back out to Gavin’s to check on Hellena. I need to explain everything to her, and hopefully, Gavin will let me. Maybe he’ll keep her calm.
If he doesn’t kill me.
I won’t bother begging her forgiveness. I don’t need her to forgive me.
I just need to explain what happened last night, that things went sideways and how she should move forward. She deserves to know who she is before her aunt gets to her and puts her spin on it.
I realized somewhere in the middle of the night that I do not trust Rachelle. Even if she is the Herald. Especially because she is.
The fact that she seemed to have no idea about Vice or the Mayor’s plans seemed convenient. Confusing, if my knowledge of the Sinful is anywhere near accurate. They don’t make mistakes like that. I certainly don’t.
Either way, I’ll let her decide and let Gavin be her guard. If she wants to meet with Rachelle, I won’t stop her. She must know what she’s getting into first, though.
I gathered every bit of information I could on the Sinful that I’ve pieced together over the years from my safe. It’ll have to be enough for her to prepare for what’s to come. Maybe something in those files will give her an idea about how to respond.
Pulling up to Gavin’s, I bolt from the car, my hands raised as I hear the clack of a shotgun off to my left.
“I’m only here to talk,” I force out through clenched teeth.
“Seems like that’s all you know how to do. Besides selling out your friends.”
“Please. Allow me to talk to her. There’s something she needs to know?—”
“She’s not here, dipshit!”
“What?” I wheel on him, ignoring the threat pointed at my head. Her car’s not in the driveway. “Why didn’t you call me?”
“Didn’t have your number.”
“Not like you couldn't have found it,” I growl.
“Yeah, I was debating whether or not I wanted to. Too tempting to take your fucking gorgeous head off.” He smiles, and it’s about the most terrifying thing I’ve ever seen. Something deep inside me awakens to that aggression, that brutal streak I recognize in his gaze.
“I’ll let you do whatever you want to me. After we find her.”
“Maybe she deserves to get out, be free somewhere no one will ever hurt her. This life, our lives… it’s never going to be safe for her.”
I close the distance between us in a heartbeat, in his face and slapping the gun away. “Who are you to decide what’s good for her? She needs to know—” Gavin swerves with the strike, looping one massive arm under mine and swiping my legs out from under me. His free hand is at my windpipe before I can blink.
“She knows plenty. More than you ever gave her credit for.” The flare of excited anger in his expression sends thrills down my aching legs and backside.
