Page 21 of Malice

“It’s Leo,” I tell Antonio, and he comes over. We both look at each other and then he nods, telling me to answer.

“Hey,” I say, putting the phone on speaker.

“Wren,” the person on the other line replies. It’s not Leo and I recognize that voice right away.

Ryder.

“I could use your help. Leo is drunk and about to be arrested.”

Chapter

Nine

“What?” I say, though I heard Ryder clearly. I’m looking at Antonio with a what the fuck look on my face that’s he’s mirroring right back.

“We’re at a bar in Hickory and I already got him out of one bar, but with everything going on, he’s not thinking straight.”

“Right,” I say, not sure what “everything” is. We have no idea what they’ve been told or not told. “I’m in Charlotte,” I go on, not sure how I can help.

“I know. We’re east of Hickory.”

Antonio nudges me with his elbow and mouths the word location. I nod.

“Okay, um, send me the address and I’ll meet you.”

“I’ll send now,” Ryder says and I put my phone on mute so I can talk to Antonio.

“We wanted to find a way to talk to Leo,” I say, shaking my head.

“Right,” Antonio goes on. “We have to get him.”

“Should I ask what they think happened?” I hold the phone in front of me, going back to the door to get my shoes. “I would like to know what I’m walking into but I also don’t want to give away too much until we have Leo alone.”

“We can trust Ryder.”

“No we can’t,” I snap, staring at Antonio incredulously. “I did that once and you know how things went.”

“This is different. What he did was really shitty, but you haven’t been around him lately.”

“Oh, don’t tell me he’s changed and I should give him a second chance.”

Antonio’s nose wrinkles. “No, I’m definitely not saying that because your husband would drain me in my sleep if I did.”

“That’s the only reason why?”

“I don’t think he deserves another chance with you, but Wren,” he says pointedly, getting me back to what matters. “There are several hunters now questioning the Order. Ryder is one of them.”

I unmute the phone and check my texts. “Got it. Thanks. I’m like half an hour away. Can you manage him for a while longer?”

“Yeah. I was able to convince him to come to this bar just a few minutes ago and he hasn’t had the chance to piss anyone off yet.”

I grab the keys to the G-Wagon and give them to Antonio. Not bothering to tell Devon that we’re leaving because I know he’s been able to hear this entire conversation, we get into the car.

“Why are you guys in Hickory?” I ask once the call connects to Bluetooth.

“We’re trying to find Toni,” Ryder tells us and my stomach flip flops. Shit. “After Gia went missing, everyone was kinda freaking out but then Toni said you used a spell and found her.”

“I did.”