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She tightened her grip on my hand. “A bit. He wants this so badly, but… what if—”
“It’ll take. I know it.”
Bobbing her head, she sucked in a breath, then let it out. “We only have enough cash for two rounds. If this doesn’t happen, I don’t know what we’ll do.”
“You could adopt? There are loads of children out there who need loving parents. Or you could foster?” If I’d had a mom like her when Hawk and I were going through the foster system, I wouldn’t have run away as much. I would’ve been happy to stay. Been happy to have the love of someone who loved me back, instead of the government check they received for the inconvenience.
Darcy sniffled, wiping the tears from her cheeks. I opened my mouth to say something more, but the car slowed to a stop at the curb. Peering out of my window, I saw we were at my apartment.
“Stay safe, babe,” Darcy told me with a smile. “I’m looking forward to hearing more of your sexcapades with Bane.”
I huffed as I opened my door. “We don’t have sexscapades.”
“Um, yeah, you do. You guys are having that hot, dirty sex I wish I were having.” Kissing my cheek, Darcy waved goodbye, and I got out, walking inside my building.
As I unlocked my apartment door, I paused when I stepped inside. I didn’t know how else to explain it other than it felt like the hairs on the back of my neck were standing on end. Moving quickly and quietly, I went into my bedroom and grabbed my nine-millimeter, taking off the safety and holding it down by my thigh.
After checking all the windows and the locks on the front door, I began looking around. But I found nothing.
There was nothing missing, but Bane’s angry words from earlier bounced around my head. Anyone could get into my apartment at any time. I’d never felt unsafe, but my instincts never lied.
Picking up the phone, I dialed Bane’s number.
“Little Bird,” he answered on the second ring. “What’s wrong? I thought you were out with Darcy.”
“I was. I’m home now, but…”
Was I being crazy here?
Was I overreacting because Bane had pointed out the busted lock on my window?
Was I psychosomatic?
“What is it, Wren?” he demanded in a low voice.
“I’m sure it’s nothing—”
“What?” I heard him slam his fist onto the desk.
Swallowing, I said, “I think someone’s been in my apartment.” I pulled the phone away from my ear when Bane’s cursed viciously.
“I’m sending Andy. Keep your gun with you and lock yourself in the bathroom until he gets there.”
I wanted to rail against him, scream that I was not a helpless woman who needed the help of a man, but…
… I had called him because I knew he would make everything all right again.
I nodded, my body already kicking in with adrenaline. “Okay. Okay.”
“I’ll keep you safe, Little Bird.”
21
Bane
Fuck no,this wasnothappening. I clutched the phone more tightly against my ear, willing the rage to stay at bay. It was a fucking losing battle. I could feel it curling around my mind, demanding I protect what was mine. It had happened that night I beat my father to within an inch of his life after he’d hit my mom for the final time, and it was happening now too.
“Are you in there yet?” I barked, then cursed myself for yelling. Wren was worried. I heard it in her voice. I was so fucking glad she called me instead of brushing off her suspicions even though I was sure it was a hit to her whole independent woman thing she showed the world. I stood so I could pace.
