Page 61 of Break Me

“He didn’t think it was necessary. Figured bringing attention to it would make things worse.”

Fuck. I drag a hand down my face, breathing through the surge of panic and rage clawing up my spine.

“He thinks pride is gonna protect him,” I mutter.

Mouse doesn’t argue. “They know she lives there. They know she comes and goes. And they know Knox won’t see it coming.”

My fists clench hard enough that my knuckles burn.

“If they touch her,” I say quietly, “there won’t be enough ground in Ashbourne to bury what’s left of them.”

“I came to you first for a reason.” His gaze never leaves mine. “You tell me where we go from here.”

“If I warn him, he'll lock the house down. She gets stuck there. And if Ridgeback's already close, that makes her a sitting target.”

Mouse’s expression darkens. “So, what’s the move?”

“I have to get her out of the way. Now,” I say. “Without telling her why.”

“And probation?” he asks. “If Knox finds out you went behind his back again…”

I meet Mouse’s eyes. “I’d rather he hate me than bury her.”

Silence stretches between us.

Then Mouse nods once. “What do you need me to do?”

“I need you to get Raven,” I continue. “Get her out of that house without setting off alarms.”

Mouse’s jaw tightens. “And take her where?”

“My cabin,” I say.

He frowns. “What cabin?”

“The one I just moved into,” I answer. “It’s on the edge of town. It’s remote and safe.”

Mouse’s eyes sharpen. “No one else’s been there?”

“No,” I say. “No one knows it’s mine yet.”

Mouse nods slowly. “She won’t like it.”

“She doesn’t need to. She just needs to be alive.”

“And Knox?” he asks.

“I’ll handle him,” I say. “I’ll draw Ridgeback away from the house. Keep them focused on me.”

“You’re planning on standing in the middle.”

“That’s always been the job.”

“You’ll need backup,” Mouse says.

“Bishop,” I say immediately. “And Diesel. They don’t talk unless they have to.”

Mouse nods again. “I’ll get them.”