Page 27 of Desire Him

“How could you possibly know that? It could be a trap.”

“It’s not,” Draven says, turning back around.

“Whatever,” she grumbles under her breath. “Do what you want.”

“We will,” both Draven and Wayne say together.

They’re inside the city now, and Wayne turns his full attention to the traffic when Becca asks, “What do you need me for then?”

“Well, I’m starting to regret dragging you along if that means anything to you,” Draven admits.

Wayne looks at him for a moment before returning his attention to Becca at the stoplight. “We need you to be our navigator. We need to know where the activity is and what places to avoid.”

“Weren’t you listening?” she almost shouts. “Avoid the entire place.”

Wayne and Draven sigh together. “Let’s just take her back. Please,” Draven begs.

“Tempting,” Wayne says under his breath. But it’s too late for that decision. They’re already in the heart of the city, getting ready to cross over into known rogue territory. There are abandoned buildings and buildings that look like they’ve been on fire. Homeless people and rogues are walking the sidewalks, and a few regular but brave humans are mixed in. The entire area looks gray and rundown, and it instantly sours what was left of Wayne’s good mood.

However, the roughest parts of the city don’t scare Wayne. It sure as hell doesn’t scare Draven, either. Draven may have a charming exterior, but as the head enforcer, he can hold his own. It may be dangerous, but they can handle it.

Wayne pulls up to the bar and parks the car. Both he and Draven climb out, but when Becca doesn’t move, Draven growls under his breath, opens her door, and drags her out. He continues dragging her all the way into the bar.

There are only a few people in the bar, and none of them pay attention to the newcomers, a fact that Wayne is grateful for. They don’t need attention, especially in this part of town. Getting through this without attention is their goal.

“Where’s your guy?” Draven asks, finally letting go of Becca.

Wayne scans the bar again, and then he spots him at a shadowed table in the back. He may have a baseball hat on with the bill nearly completely pulled over his face, but he’d recognize the build anywhere. “Right there.”

They head over to him, Becca trailing a few steps behind as if she’s reluctant to follow through with this. They pull out chairs from the table and take a seat. Wayne chooses to sit next to him. “Jesse,” he greets quietly, “nice to see you again.”

Jesse spares him a glance and then swivels his gaze around the bar. When he sees that no one is looking their way, he lifts his head fully. “I could say the same for you, but this is risky, and you know it.”

“I’ve already told them,” Becca says too loudly, only to get shooshed by the men.

Draven huffs and gets straight to the point. “So what do you know?”

Jesse shakes his head, a quick movement that is barely noticable. “Not much. Just that the situation continues to decline. There’s nothing the two of you can do about it.” Wayne doesn’t fail to notice that he didn’t include Becca in that. Anyone who looked at her would know she wouldn’t lift a finger to help this city.

Draven and Wayne share a look, and Jesse picks up on their wordless conversation. He asks, “You aren’t here to do anything about it, are you?” It wasn’t a question. It was a statement.

“No,” they both say.

Jesse stands up. “I should go. It’s risky being seen with you guys.”

Shit, Wayne thinks. He can’t leave. Without Jesse, they have nothing and nowhere to turn. Becca is barely any help. Besides, things have probably changed since Becca lived in the city. And though he doesn’t want to put Jesse at risk, they need him. More than he realizes.

Wayne stops him by placing a hand on his forearm. “We just need to be sure they’re selling it before anything can be done. Rogues aren’t illegal. The drugs are. Once we know for sure, the head alpha will take care of the situation. I know you said that you didn’t know anything, but I saw the look in your eyes. You do, don’t you?”

Jesse raises an eyebrow and adjusts his ball cap. He ignores the last question and asks, “And how, exactly, is your alpha going to do that?”

Draven shrugs. “Cut off whoever is organizing it and elect an alpha for them, probably. Kill the dude if we have to. It’s the only logical choice.”

Jesse slowly sits back down. Clearly, he likes that plan, which gives Wayne hope. If he likes the plan, he’ll be more willing to help. “So, then, what do you need from me?” Jesse asks.

“Take us to someone who is known for selling it. We will find it in their house, figure out where they got it, and then go from there,” Wayne divulges.

Jesse releases a long breath, thinking over his choices. Wayne can see him fighting with himself, thinking about giving up someone who is probably one of his only friends here in the city. It can’t be easy for him, Wayne would never give up one of his own, but they need him to.