Page 17 of Tico

Pyper lunges forward, wrapping her arms around my neck as she hugs me tight and whispers a choked ‘thank you’ to me. I swallow the lump in my throat as I hesitantly hug her back. Daemon grins at me and stands before walking back over toward Ember.

Pyper’s eyes are bright as she pulls back, and I leave her with Reese to pick out the books she wants. Reese dips his chin and the silent look he gives me says he’ll watch over her. Turning, I walk over to the furniture section and check out their supply of bookshelves. Feeling eyes on me, I look up to find Ember staring at me, her eyes shiny as her gaze bounces between me and Pyper. She mouths ‘thank you’ to me and I dip my chin. The warm feeling that surges through me is foreign, but I welcome it.

Ember may not know it yet, but I’d burn the world to the ground for her and her sister.

Or better yet, I’d give her the match and stand by protectively as she burns the world down herself.

Chapter 11

Tico

Wejustfinishedcarryingup the last of Ember’s and Pyper’s new purchases to the apartment when my phone buzzes in my pocket. Normally, I’d have a fucking Prospect carrying this shit, but I wanted to do this for them. For Ember.

Digging out my phone, I frown when I see Wire’s name on the screen. I signal to Taco that I’m heading downstairs to take the call and he gives me a chin lift.

“Talk to me,”I say once I’m down in the shop.

“Two more women were reported missing this morning. Both are in their early twenties. One from here and another from Plymouth.”

Fury ignites in my veins.“Chingar(Fuck),”I mutter as I run a hand through my hair.“Any anomalies to the previous cases? Fuckers have to mess up at some point.”

Keys click in the background as I wait for his response.“Not really. Both women were out at the bar the nights they disappeared. I’m running their pictures through my systems to see if I can get a hit on anything our cameras in the bar or around town captured.”

I freeze as a cold feeling runs through me.“Wait. The club bar? The Hideout?”

“Yeah. Fuckers are doing this right under our fucking noses.”

Fury ignites in my veins, but I push it down for now.“Anything else?”

“Yeah, a couple of things. I looked into Ember’s family like you asked.”

I hesitate but don’t interrupt him. I need to know all the demons coming our way and I have a feeling it will take a bit for Ember to open up about them. And I’mnotletting those assholes get their fucking hands on her again.

“Jerry and Renee Foxx. Jerry’s road name is Drone. Renee died when Ember was nine. It was ruled an accidental death but based on the shit Daemon told us, I bet it was far from accidental. Jerry’s been married twice since then. The second wife, Erica, lasted only a couple of years before she died, also ruled accidental, and his current wife, Rochelle, has hardly no footprint at all. My guess is that she was raised in that sort of environment and Jerry bought her. His brother, Ryan, is also in the Chrome Vipers and his road name is Bug, but he’s got a much shorter rap sheet. Either that or he’s just slicker anddoesn’t get caught as much as Jerry. To switch topics, we have a different sort of problem.”

“¿Qué?(What?)”

“Ice had to cancel for tonight and she’ll be out for at least a year. She just found out she’s pregnant.”

“Mierda(Shit),”I mutter then freeze when I sense someone behind me.

Spinning on my heel, I find Ember leaning against the wall, her arms are crossed over her chest and her leg is propped up so her foot is on the wall. She quirks an eyebrow at me and it unnerves me that I didn’t hear or sense her approaching.Chingar(Fuck). How long was she standing there? How much did she hear?

“Gotta go,”I tell him and from the amused hum, I’m wondering if he knew she was here or if he just pulled up the camera and saw her.

“How long were you standing there?” I ask as I pocket my phone.

“Long enough. I’ll do it.”

I blink at her, my mind slightly confused for a second. “¿Qué?(What?)”

She pushes off the wall and walks forward. My gaze catches on the sway of her hips and when I raise my gaze, she smirks at me.

“I’ll do it. I’ll fill in for Ice.”

I frown. “You just had a fight yourself a few nights ago.”

She shrugs a shoulder. “Yeah, and I’m mostly fine. Think of it as a way to say thank you for what all you guys are doing for Pyper and me. And frankly, after hearing more about what my dad, Uncle Ryan, and Scooter did to Pyper, I could really use the outlet.”