“How do you know all of this?”
“I have a contact in the FBI.”Of course, he does.“Any more questions?”
I roll my eyes at him, recalling his frustration with me for showing up at Rich’s house that first night. He knew Rich was one of the men the whole time. “I’m good for now.”
“We need to leave,” he mutters and slides his hand into mine, urging me to stand.
My hand tingles as it’s tucked in his while he leads me through my own house, second-guessing every decision I’ve made in the last two weeks. I forego any previous fears I might have had and follow him to his car.
During the drive to Rich’s house, a few stolen glances are exchanged, but we remain silent. My mind is running a million miles a minute, all while being hit with conflicting emotions.
What will happen once we get there? Do we stay in the car?
River’s car slows to a stop a few houses down from Rich’s, and then he turns to face me.
“What now?” I ask.
“We wait,” he simply says.
My palms sweat. “Wait for what?”
“Criminals like to move under the security of the night. It’s easier since they can go undetected.”
I want to ask how he knows that, but at this point I’m learning River is not one to freely share information. He’s more private and reserved, which makes sense with the bits and pieces I’ve picked up about his nighttime activities.
“I got some information from my dad about the case,” I offer, hoping it opens him up.
“It’s probably information I already know,” he dismisses, his gaze firmly fixated on Rich’s house.
“You are stubborn,” I mutter under my breath.
“Excuse me?”
“You heard me. You keep shutting me out when we’re supposed to be a team.”
“You’re not on my team, Lux. You asked if you could come along,” he reminds me. “That’s what I’m letting you—” River’s hand flies up to his ear. “We’re clear?”
What? Is he talking to himself?
I don’t have time to clarify when he turns to me and says, “We’re going in. My team told me the family is staying with friends for the night in Bellevue.”
“You want us to break in?” My heart rate picks up.
“What do you think we came here for? His alarm system has been disabled, and I have men monitoring his moves.”
“Wait, his alarm system? You can do that?”
“Yes, now follow my lead. Stay close and touch nothing without my saying so.”
“All right,” I reply hesitantly. I’ve never broken into someone’s house before—never even thought about it. This is extremely risky.
“It’s time to put your mask on now.” He hands over a balaclava, exactly like the one he’s wearing.
With a deep inhale, I fill my lungs with air preparing myself for what I’m about to do. I take it from him, open the bottom and quickly slip it over my face. Without checking where the eyeholes are, it slides on crooked.
“Let me help you.” River’s gentle hands are clasped over mine as he twists the front of the mask to position it into place.
As soon as the black fabric is no longer blocking my vision, my gaze is captured by two deeply mysterious eyes staring at me.
