Under the Stars

“We have to go,” Armand says, breaking the spell. “We have to decide what to do about the baby, your trip to Seattle…”

I step back, shoving my hand in the front of my hair, wincing as my fingers hit the wound on my scalp. “We can’t leave like this. What about Jillian?”

“You’re not taking her to Seattle,” Roland snaps. “Not if you plan to go after Gavin. He’ll retaliate.”

My eyes clash with his, and I can’t hide how I feel. “And what happens if this guy is alive and decides to come after you and Jilly while I’m gone?”

“Taking her with you makes you vulnerable.” Roland steps back and starts for the door. “Before we do anything, let’s get back to my place.”

The three of us head for the door, quickly going down the steps. I have to pause a moment at the bottom for the world to catch up to me.

“If anything happens to her…” I can’t even complete the sentence. I’ve only known my daughter a short while, but she’s an irreplaceable part of my life.

“Nothing is going to happen to Jillian, I promise you that.” Roland’s eyes flash to Armand, and the tall fellow nods.

“Evie loves her. I’ve become fond of her as well…”

“So you’ll help us?”

Armand shrugs. “I doubt I’ll have a choice.”

We’re back at the store, and I’m pleased to see Lara unlock the door and step out when we get close enough for her to recognize us.

Her voice is soft, hopeful. “Is he dead?”

I go to her, pulling her against my chest and holding her so close. Just the feel of her body against mine renews my strength.

“He’s gone,” I say against her ear. “It’s clear I shot him, but we couldn’t find any sign of where he went or where he might be.”

She pulls away, and I relax my hold on her. “What do we do now?” Her eyes move back and forth, and her anxiety reflects my own.

“We need to get back to the house.” Roland opens the door to his car, taking the front while we take the back.

Once we’re inside, I pull Lara against my chest again. The events of the evening, my injury and Landry’s words all churn in my mind and in my stomach.

“If he’s still alive, he’s going to come after me,” I say softly. She lifts her chin to study my face.

“Roland has a plan—something with Armand he wants to discuss when we get to the house.” Through the windshield, I study the black Audi leading us across the bridge and into the city. “I’m willing to listen, but I won’t leave if I’m not sure Jillian is safe. We won’t do anything until we’re sure she’s protected.”

Lara relaxes in my arms, but my body is tense. I’m not used to putting my trust in others, especially people I don’t know well. What I need to do is get back into Landry’s house and search for that thumb drive… Destroy Gavin’s power, but getting back to Jillian overrides that plan. She’s my priority tonight.

We have to stick to our first idea. We have to locate those old recordings—the ones that prove Lara acted in self-defense. The ones that show all the crimes committed under Gavin’s watch.

Going to Seattle, getting Molly to help us is a long shot, and I have no guarantees the path I’ve laid out in my mind will work or if we’ll even be able to find what we need once we’re on the dark web. So far, nothing has gone the way I’ve planned.

Everything has backfired and ended up in violence or gunfire.

Fuck. This situation has to turn around.

We’ve got to get ahead of these guys for once.

15

Don’t be afraid. Just believe.

Lara

Jilly is in my arms. Her little back is straight, and her bright eyes follow the men in the room just like mine do.