Sebastian and I continue with her instructions until we reach the back door. He has one hand on the doorknob, the other holding a handgun at his side, as he presses his back against the wood to open the door.
When we see the area is clear, Sebastian puts away his gun and we walk outside. “So we wait?”
“She said she’ll be right out,” I say, scanning the narrow walkway lined with brick walls from the buildings. There’s no one around who except the rats scurrying from one dumpster to the other.
The back door swings open, prompting the two of us to back up and take defensive stances in case it isn’t Nolen. But it is.
With one arm hooked around our informant, Nolen stumbles into the dark night. “You’re going home with me, baby,” he slurs.
“I would love to, but I think my friends here want to spend some time with you instead,” she says, then dips her head and slips back from underneath his arm in one swift motion.
Sebastian and I stand in front of him.
“Hi, Nolen.” I smile.
“What the fuck?” Unstable on his feet, he sways back and forth, his eyes trying to focus on us.
“Always looking to get your dick wet, aren’t you, Nolen?” I say before lunging forward, wrapping an arm around his back, and pricking him with the sedation. “Don’t fight it. You’re only going to take a little nap.”
Nolen’s pupils dilate with fear as Sebastian’s arms clench his legs to keep them in place until his body gives in to the chemical leading him to stop flailing.
“Who knows, when you wake you might see that one cabin girl who got away,” Sebastian taunts.
My eyes shoot over to Sebastian’s at the mention of Lux, not sure how I feel about him bringing her up or what happened to her that weekend, but maybe it means her presence is starting to grow on him.
“Fuck. I wish that worked as quickly as it does in the movies.” Sebastian chuckles.
Hayden pulls up then, with the window down to hurry us up. “Get your asses in here.”
Sebastian and I glance at each other over Nolen’s body, exchanging looks, both of us waiting for the other to be on labor duty.It’ll be me—I’m bigger.
“Obviously, I’m the muscle in this operation,” I say.
Crossing his arms over his chest, his features tighten. “And who’s always on clean-up and disposal duty?”
I roll my eyes. “Please. You simply supervise.”
“Fuck you,” he spits.
“Are you guys done yet?” Lux’s sweet voice in my ear is wonderful. “We only have two minutes left.”
I bend to lift Nolen’s limp body, then throw him over my shoulder.
Sebastian takes one last sweep of the alley as I toss Nolen into the back of the SUV. Then I slide into the back seat next to Sebastian and we head for the motel.
Chapter 22
Lux
Sebastian and I are standing off to the side in the motel room they booked. 1980s flowery wallpaper surrounds us while River handcuffs Nolen’s wrists to the wrought iron bed frame.
Buzzing with adrenaline, I suck in a deep breath to calm the nerves, but I’m flooded with the scent of this musty motel room instead so it does nothing to ease me.
On the flight, River briefed me on how the night would go. Similar to Rich’s kill, I’m here to face Nolen and show him that the group of tormentors he’s part of did not take away my power.
River’s slowly letting me in on his plans, and I appreciate it, but as I stare at him securing Nolen, I’m eager for more.
When River’s done, he backs away and stands next to Sebastian and I.
