Preening at his words, it’s damn well evident that I am. I doubt I’d want to hear praise from anyone but him. The dynamic he’s creating is making me want every domineering tactic he has to offer and more.
“Clean yourself up. We have work to do.”
I sit upright when he awkwardly gets his feet beneath him to rise. “What work?”
“We’re going to go see what that cocky, criminal shit’s price is to help us end this.”
“Wait… we are?”
“Yes. Get up, Em.”
Head spinning, I struggle to catch up with his train of thought. I’m far too busy admiring the way his smart black trousers strain at the front, boasting an impressive bulge that looks in need of attention.
“Ember.” Warner barks my name. “Dress.”
“You make my head spin.”
“Join the club, love. I haven’t been able to think straight since the day you disappeared, and I realised exactly what I’d lost.”
With that revelation, Warner stiffly walks away from me to exit the ring. I’m left staring after him, wondering when exactly my brother’s best friend started to look at me differently.
And when I started to look back.
CHAPTER 26
EMBER
NINETEEN – MOVEMENTS
Unspoken tension underpinsthe gravity of Blaine’s judgement day. Despite the familiar surroundings of Sabre’s packed conference room, it feels more like we’re gathering inside a courthouse.
The metres-long table is covered with every last photograph, report, information request, surveillance map and scrap of evidence. If the last six years of work were stuffed into rows of cardboard boxes, they’ve all been upturned now.
Staring at the matte print of Gracie’s old school photo on top of her missing person’s report, I remind myself why we’re here. Why we’re even considering making a deal with the devil.
But is Blaine really the devil?
I’m never going to judge another human for how they survived their own personal trials and tribulations. Not with the blood on my hands. He’s doused in his own bloodstains, and on some levels, that makes us kindred spirits.
“Head’s up.” Hyland lifts from the glass window we’re leaning against. “Someone wants to meet you.”
“What? Who?”
“The bosses.”
Stepping into the conference room, I vaguely recognise the two pillars of authority who grace us with their presence. Everyone knows Sabre Security. And everyone knows the Knight brothers.
Striding ahead of his scarier counterpart, Kade Knight is the definition of affable golden boy. With pearly-blonde hair that he wears slicked back, intelligent hazel eyes and a penchant for expensive shirts with waistcoats, it’s hard not to recognise him.
By comparison, his brother fully embodies the flip side of that coin. He’s the darkness to Kade’s light. Clothed in all-black, his V-neck tee shows off countless tattoos that cover his chest, neck and throat, matching his eyebrow piercing and terrifyingly hard blue eyes.
They can’t be much older than Warner or Hyland, but the sense of gravitas in their assured presence commands a respect far greater than their years.
“Coffee?” Hudson’s grunt breaks the silence.
Standing next to a selection of full thermoses, Axel lifts a cup towards him, emblazoned with Sabre’s logo.
“Right here.”
