Reese

“Because leaving endangers someone I care about. If I’m here, she is safe.”

My face must soften because he snarls. “Don’t feel sorry for me, Malice. I’ve done bad, despicable things in my bid to keep her safe. I haven’t been a victim for a long time.”

I blow out a breath as we descend the stone steps.

“The missing people…?”

He turns to look at me, his face pale, not with shock that I know anything, but with horror and grief.

“Are they here? I need to see them. I can help without letting on about your involvement.”

“You’re too late, Malice. Much too late.”

He slips the key into the gate and turns the lock, opening it for me.

I hear footsteps approaching, knowing the guys will be on me in seconds.

“Please, Philip. Give me something.”

He turns the key, locking me in, his face blanking for a moment before he whispers a single word.

“Platz.”

I stop. “What?”

“Remember when it’s time to say ‘Platz.’”

He walks away before I can question him further.

“Hey.” Hands on my hips turn me to face Vega.

“Everything okay?” His eyes move over my face.

“Yeah, glad to be back, though.”

“What was he saying? Platz? What would he think you were going to do, mount him or something?” He snorts, shaking his head.

“No, I don’t think so. Why did you think that? I mean, if I was making a play for him, wouldn’t he scream, ‘Yes God, fuck me, you goddess!’”

He grins. “Smartass. If I remember correctly, Platz is a dog command meaning down or lay down in German. Something like that anyway, my translations are probably off, but I used to have a friend who would say it to his dog.” I look at him, puzzled. He chuckles and shakes his head.

“Never mind, come on.”

He throws his arm over my shoulders before leading me back to the seating area where everyone else is.

“Hey, how did it go?” Blink asks as Glitch looks at me with confusion. Nope, that’s not Glitch.

“It was an experience,” I admit. “Titus is a tool, and I can honestly say, hand over heart, that the world will be a better place when he leaves it.”

“Did he hurt you?” Graves asks quietly.

“No. He never laid a finger on me. He is too weak to get out of bed by the looks of things.”

He nods, seemingly satisfied with my answer.

“Did you see or hear anything useful?” Law questions as he scoots over and makes space for me on the sofa beside him.

“There are cameras everywhere except down here for some reason.”