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That night from fifteen years ago is still etched in my brain, no matter how much I try to forget it. My hand curls into a fist as I mutter, “It’s not possible.”
But what if it is?
The reason Johnathan’s betrayal had been so particularly painful had been that we had grown up together on the streets. We hustled people and ran scams together as children, trying to feed ourselves, simply trying to survive. We joined the organization together and worked our way up the ranks. It had been a bitter pill to swallow when he, my most trusted right hand (really more like my partner), had stabbed me in the back. But if Lena – If Lena survived, would it be so far off to imagine that he would try to use her against me? She would be my one weakness.
“Wake him back up,” I snarl, fury and hope flickering through me. “I want information on that girl.”
Both Parker and Lars nod in understanding.
“And get the doc back here to patch him up again so he doesn’t die.”
“What about the other one?”
“I don’t care about him. Just make sure Steve doesn’t die, then get ruthless if you have to. I want information. If he still doesn’t talk, then tell me. I have other methods of making people talk. Squeeze every bit of information you can get about Johnathan’s whereabouts. That bastard wouldn’t send someone in here if he wasn’t completely assured of his loyalty. And find that damn woman!”
I storm out, trying to get a hold of my raging emotions.
Then I think of Lena.
Precious Lena with her sweet, angelic smile.
“If that is you, I’ll find you,” I vow to her silently.
Vaughn follows me, “Hunter.”
“Not now,” I growl.
But he steps in front of me, snapping, “It has to be now. Who is that girl Parker was talking about? If Johnathan has her or knows something about her and she’s a weakness, then I need to know. If you fall because of her, we all fall with you.”
He looks tense, and I glower at him. “I wouldn’t let that happen. I’ll handle it.”
I’m about to walk away when he says, tersely, “Are Lars and Parker on tap to eliminate this girl in case–“
I won’t let him finish his sentence. Whirling around him by the front of his shirt, my voice icy cold. “No one touches a hair on her head. Not until I know for sure.”
“Then tell me who she is!” He shoves me, furious. “This is the second time I’ve seen you lose control like this. I’m just trying to help you.”
I open my mouth, but then I snap it shut, recalling Johnathan’s betrayal. I have a hard time trusting people now, but Vaughn knows me too well, and he steps toward me.
“I’m not him, Hunt. You and I are like blood brothers. You should be able to trust me. I’ve never given you a reason not to.”
I stare at him, trying to sort out my emotions, and then I say with great difficulty, “I can’t talk about it today. Give me a few days.”
I expect him to argue back, but he takes a step back. “Fine. Take a few days. I’ll stay with Parker.”
“Maybe you should go home to your wife.”
“If you’re not talking to me, then I’m not talking to her.”
I shake my head at Vaughn’s lame attempt at a joke. Grateful that he’s not pushing me, I take the elevator to the top floor of the club and walk directly into a private room that overlooks the bar. From the one-way mirror, I see a familiar figure behind the bar, talking to Gage.
It’s her.
Chapter 20
You Said Where?
HUNTER
