Page 144 of A Little Jaded

“I need you to watch Raine while I’m gone.”

“And where are you going?” Dodge challenges.

After I met Dodger at SeaBird, I did some digging. Well…I asked Finley to do some digging. The man’s into more shady shit than his sister knows. But even if he wasn’t, there’s something about being a big brother. The need to protect. To defend. To look after. And as I stared at him tonight, I saw myself. Saw exactly how far he’d go to keep his little sister safe. It doesn’t matter how dirty his hands get or if he has to spend the rest of his life in prison. He’ll do what needs to be done. And so will I. Which is why I already know he’s aware of my intentions, even if I refuse to voice them out loud. Besides, the less anyone knows, the better. What I need from him is to keep Raine safe while I’m away. I’ll handle the rest.

Growing impatient, I demand, “Are you coming or not?”

A long pause follows. “I’ll be there in twenty.”

I hang up the call, then dial Griff. I debated on whether or not to involve him in this. To involve any of them in this. But if the roles were reversed, I’d want to be there. I’d want to have their backs. And if I’ve learned anything from this, it’s that doing shit alone isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.

The call rings twice before he picks up. “Hello?”

“Tell the guys we’re going hunting in an hour. I’ll meet you at the house.”

Then, I click “end.”

CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR

EVERETT

It’s risky being here again. In Cedar Springs. Last time, I had my ass kicked. It’s also where Drake feels most confident, even if he is lying low after attacking Raine. I half expected police cars to be out in front of his apartment, but I should’ve known better. It was surprisingly easy to find him. He stole Raine’s phone, and I still have her location, and now,hislocation.

There’s no moon tonight. Nothing but black surrounds us in Griffin’s car. I figured Drake would recognize mine, and we couldn’t take Mav’s bike. Reeves’ car was also a no-go since I have no doubt the police would recognize it if someone was stupid enough to call them.

We won’t, but Drake might when he realizes we’re coming for him.

I glance down the street for the hundredth time. There’s a bar, the tattoo shop, Drake’s apartment, and about two blocks down, the Grizzlies’ arena. They don’t have a game tonight, but I wouldn't put it past Drake to go there in hopes of skating off his steam or solidifying his alibi.

Part of me wonders if I should’ve waited. If Raine willever forgive me for this. It doesn’t matter. I promised to protect her. Even if it means handling it differently than she’d prefer. I check the GPS on my phone again, then look around the barren street. “He’s close.”

When a shadow appears around the side of the building in front of us, I study the figure, trying to pinpoint if it’s the man of the hour. My veins buzz with anticipation as I stare at him. He’s oblivious.

“Is it him?” Reeves asks beside me, keeping his voice quiet.

My eyes thin, and I slowly dip my chin.

Sliding a wolf mask into place, I reach for the door handle and wait until my friends give me the go-ahead. We bought the masks for a game night once, but they’ve been useful more times than I can count. And tonight? Tonight they’re perfect. Hiding our identity while sinister enough to scare the shit out of the man in front of us. Crouching low, I slide out of the car and glance around the rear bumper, balancing the metal baseball bat across my bent knees as Drake inhales his cigarette. The bud lights up his fucked-up face, and I smile behind my mask.

“Fuck, man,” Griffin whispers beside me. “Remind me not to get on your bad side.”

“Don’t mess with anyone I love, and you’ll be fine,” I reply.

Reeves’ dark chuckle echoes beside me, and I lift two fingers into the air, motioning it's time for us to move. In silence, we cross the street, moving like ghosts until I swing the bat at the back of his head, and the asshole falls like a Redwood tree.

“Tiiiimber,” Reeves jokes.

We let him crumple to the pavement. Reeves grabs Drake’s ankles, and Griffin grips his hands. Then, together, we drag him back to the car and toss him in the trunk.

I neededa place no one would recognize. A place we could hide. A place not connected to me. Not easily, anyway. When Maverick suggested one of his dad’s empty apartments, I figured it was a good bet. Mav already added black plastic to the walls, blocking out any potential tells as to where we are. It doesn’t hurt that it’ll make for an easy clean-up in case Drake decides he wants to play this the hard way. Now, here we are. Masks in place. Each of us dressed in black with gloves covering our hands. The man of the hour is tied to a wooden chair, his head lolled forward. The lights are dim, but I can still make out a stain on the front of his shirt where his drool mixed with the blood trickling from his face. Griffin brought a burner phone, suggesting we film his confession. But after giving it some thought, I realized a confession from a tied-up and bloodied asshole might not be the way to go. Not if we want it to stick.

“You ready?” Griff asks beside me.

“Let’s do this.”

We form a half circle around an unconscious Drake, but the clock is ticking, and the longer we have him, the more likely we are to be caught. With my gloved hands clasped in front of me, I cock my head and nod to Mav. He splashes a bucket of ice water into Drake’s face, and the asshole sputters to life, gasping for air.

Griff was right. Drake’s face is bloody and bruised. And with the way he’s wheezing and the awkward angle of his nose? I’m gonna say I broke it during our fight. Poor bastard. I smile behind my mask.