Page 44 of Raze
The curve of my lips remains fixated in place as I wait for him to get on with it.
He grins and then drags his hand down the large piece of building debris that’s beside him. “I thought you might, after witnessing that failure of a fight.” His one brown eye snaps back over to me, searching for any sign of anger or distress.
I don’t react, and his grin drops a fraction in disappointment. “Now that you have your girl back, I’m sure you’re recognizing the severe disadvantage you’re in. Gordon is actively searching for her now that he knows where she is. There are waves of agents beingdispatched to find and capture that other boy in your group. We are a company of hundreds, maybe even a thousand, and there are five of you. Five of whom I almost cleared the board of single-handedly, I might add.”
I catalog everything he’s saying and not saying for later inspection. He knows where we’re hiding out since he’d sent the message directly to me. He could capture Raegan and Dane at any time, but he hasn’t. His loyalty to GE only goes so far before his own personal goals rise above it. And, aside from power, what else would keep him from turning them in and earning higher favor with GE?
Me.
He wants something from me. So long as that fact remains, it will keep Raegan and Dane safe from him.
“Your point?” I ask coolly.
Thorne’s wicked grin returns. “I see so much of myself when I look at you, Jack. The same arrogance. The same aptitude for cruelty.” He lifts his hand from the debris and claps them together to remove whatever dirt or ash particles he’d picked up. “But you won’t be able to protect her with your ragtag group. You and I both saw how close you all came to losing. The others will only drag you both down and put her at risk. Trim the fat that’s holding you back. Come with me, and I’ll swear to you that no harm will come to your girl. From GE or anyone else. You know that there is no one in this world that could take on both of us.”
My head tilts as I peer at him. “You think I’d join Gifted Enterprise?”
He laughs. “Of course not. You’d be joining me and me alone.We’ll put on a show for GE to get what we need and then take it over like your friend did with my Guild. We can mold it into whatever we want it to be, and your girl will be safe.” Thorne holds out his hand to me. “What does it matter which side you’re on, so long as she’s safe?”
I stare at his hand and consider what he’s saying. “There’s a third option.” I pull my gaze back up to meet his. “I do this myself.”
He retracts his hand, but his expression doesn’t change. He thinks he has me. “That may be better than letting the others stick around, but you’re outnumbered. Arrogance can only get you so far.”
I shrug. “It’s only arrogance when my skills don’t meet the expectation.”
“You almost lost against me,” he reminds me.
“And yet, I rose to the challenge to win, anyway. I’m two for two with you, Thorne,” I remind him right back.
He smiles coldly. “For now. There will always be someone stronger than you or smarter than you out there. You won’t be able to beat everyone on your own. Especially not in a fair fight.”
“Then I’ll make sure I’m always the deadliest piece on the board.”
Chapter eleven
Raegan
The smell of crispleaves and air edged in winter tickles my nose. I reach out on instinct to pull the source of that scent closer, and my arm falls through air back to the bed. I open my eyes and frown.
Had I dreamed last night? I shift my legs, and the resounding muscle aches tell me it was no dream. Everything hurts. But in a deliciously used way. I’ve never come so many times in one night, let alone a single marathon session of sex. I can’t even remember falling asleep or how it ended. Had I passed out at the end?
I tuck my arm under the blankets I’m cocooned in and slide it over the space next to me.
It’s still warm.
I’m torn between wishing he was still here with me and grateful that he’s not, so I can skip any awkward or overly intimate morning-after conversation.
Groaning, I drag myself from bed and the bundle of warmth I’m leaving behind to get dressed. I hurry to my room for a change of clothes, take a hot shower, and roughly towel-dry my hair beforewalking into the main room.
The three that aren’t my missing shadow are sitting at the table eating lunch. They look up when they hear me coming, and Kellan grins at me. “Well, if it isn’t Sleeping Beauty, awake in time for lunch.”
I snatch the bowl of strawberries from the kitchen counter and bring it with me to the table. I’ve unofficially claimed the chair opposite Aiden’s at the head. Dane and Kellan sit on the long sides on either side, and Jack’s not usually around or ever sitting at the table, so I’m not sure where he sits. Probably in this seat, and he’s been keeping it to himself when he’s seen me in it.
I close my mouth around the strawberry as I bite to contain the juices that spill free. I don’t know where they have been getting these from, but they are the sweetest and most delicious strawberries I’ve ever tasted. I can only hope that the bowl keeps refilling every few days.
Kellan shoots me a heated look when I lick my fingers clean. I give him a saucy smile while reaching for another one, then turn my attention to Aiden, who’s been staring me down since I sat. “Did I miss something while I was asleep? Are we finally moving in on GE?”
I’m getting antsy sitting around here for so long. My attempt at looking for clues from Gordon the other day failed, and aside from training, I don’t feel like I’m doing anything toward my goal.
