peeking in around the edges where they’ve been closed haphazardly tell me it’s dark out.
I wiggle my toes on the fluffy white rug beneath my feet and take stock of how my body feels. There is some bruising around my wrists where I struggled against the ropes, and my face feels tender like the skin is pulled too tight. Thanks to Zodiac’s handiwork, I’ll likely be sporting a shiner for a few days.
Everything else feels surprisingly okay—other than I’m so exhausted I feel as if I could sleep for a year.
I straighten the bed, arranging the silver and white throw pillows over the top and smile to myself. Zodiac would have a field day if he saw this room. With the pillows, the scented candles on the dresser at the foot of the bed, and the soft chenille blanket thrown over the reading chair in the corner, this room is the epitome of homely. It’s the one place I feel I can let my guard down and just be me.
I head into the adjoining bathroom, flicking on the light and wincing a little as the brightness of it bounces off the white and gold tiles.
Grabbing my toothbrush, I brush my teeth, checking out my reflection as I do. My hair is a crazy mess, no surprise there, but my eye looks better than I thought it would. If I ice it for a while, I should be able to cover most of the bruising with some makeup.
I finish up and toss the toothbrush in the holder, not bothering to shower and change yet. I need to report in with my team and get our plan set in motion.
I make my way down the wide staircase, the bottom step creaking when I reach it, and head left toward the kitchen area. Shadow Falls is far bigger than I need, which is why I’ve only bothered to have the west wing remodeled so far. Well that and the underground tunnels, but it is more than enough for my team and me.
I hear the light chatter of voices before stepping into the room and find Danny and Baker sitting at the counter, looking at something on an iPad. Thomas is in the corner quietly talking to Ben while Cash and Will are staring at each other like they each want to shoot the other in the face.
“Ah, lass, you’re awake.” I turn and see Gary heading toward me from the walk-in freezer with a bag of ice in one hand and a tub of ice cream in the other. “I was just coming to wake you. I thought ice cream might stop you from shooting me.”
I laugh lightly at that. I have a trigger reflex, so anyone brave enough to wake me knows better than to stand too close.
“Hey, guys. Ben, it’s good to see you up. How you feeling?” I ask, snagging the ice cream and spoon from Gary before kissing his cheek and heading over to Ben.
Once I’m close, he pulls me in for a hug, and I let him, needing the comfort tonight.
“I’m feeling much better, thanks.” I pull back and find myself in Will’s arms for a minute.
He looks me over, his face going hard as he takes in my eye.
“Hey, I’m okay. Promise.”
He snags my ice cream and pulls off the lid, tossing it on the counter before handing it back.
I beam at him and take a large spoonful.
“All right, move.” Cash shoves him aside and presses a kiss to my forehead before wrapping his lips around my spoon and stealing my mouthful of ice cream.
“Hey,” I complain. He just laughs at me, asshole.
“Where’s Lily?” I look around for her.
“I sent her with two of my men and Jen down to the safe house with Kevin and DJ. I know Chris will keep her safe and my guys can back her up if needed.”
I don’t ask them if his men are trustworthy. I’ve met a few and liked them all and there is no chance he would risk his little girl’s safety.
“Sounds good. I know I have the panic room set up here for them, but I think they should be as far away from the city as we can get them right now.”
“I think you’re right. What I want to know is, what the fuck happened and what do you need from me?”
I place the ice cream on the counter and turn back to Cash, lifting up and wrapping my arms around him. He holds me for