The Ritual

Turning the water off, I dry off my face and exit the bathroom. I go to turn off the light but pause. It helps illuminate my bedroom, and I see that I was alone in my bed.

That’s odd but not uncommon. He must be in my living room or the kitchen. I swear the man never sleeps. He fucks me to the point I black out, and whenever I wake up, he’s already awake.

Going over to my bed, I pick up a T-shirt and pull it on before opening my bedroom door. I let out a shriek when I see Gunner standing in my kitchen. My hands immediately going to my chest, forgetting I’m wearing a shirt.

“What’s wrong?” Sarah asks, rushing out from down her hall.

“I scared her,” Gunner states, smiling. Enjoying himself.

I huff and agree. “It was unexpected.” Then giving a quick look around, I frown when I don’t see who I was expecting. “Where’s Ryat?” I ask.

“He’s on an assignment,” Gunner answers.

I frown. “What do you mean an assignment?”

“I mean, he’s gone.”

“He just left?” I ask, trying to understand what he means. My mind is a little slow this morning.

He nods. “Yep. He’ll return when he’s done.” With that, he goes to walk out of the kitchen.

“Well, when will that be?” I demand.

He shrugs. “Don’t know. But don’t try to contact him. He won’t answer.”

What the fuck? He just up and left? No goodbye? No hey, I’ll see you later? Nothing!

Storming into the kitchen, I go to get a drink because my tongue feels like sandpaper, and I see a bottle of pills on the counter. Picking them up, I read them over. They’re sleeping pills. My mom takes them. “Did he …?” My voice trails off when I remember him grabbing me water last night. He always gives me a bottle, but it had been in a cup. I didn’t even question it. I’ve put too much trust in him.

“Gunner?” I snap.

“Yeah?” He reappears back into the kitchen.

I hold the bottle up. “Did Ryat know last night that he was leaving for an assignment?”

He looks from me to Sarah, who crosses her arms over her chest and arches a brow at him. Running a hand through his hair, he looks uneasy, silently answering my question.

“Dammit,” I growl, throwing them across the room. They hit the wall and shatter open. Fuck him!

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

RYAT

I’M SHOVED INTO a chair with my hands cuffed behind my back and my legs shackled.

The female officer looks down her nose at me and smirks. “Good luck, pretty boy.” Laughing, she exits the room.

I was brought in here three hours ago. It took them that long to book me, strip search me, and change me into my new orange jumpsuit. After our meeting with Gregory, Matt and I were cuffed and placed in squad cars. We’ve officially been arrested on bogus crimes and booked under fake names. Come to find out, our target is in jail. Just our luck.

The door opens, and Gregory enters.

My eyes go to the right upper corner to see the red blinking light turn off on the camera. He sits down across from me.

“Two times in the same night,” I say, wondering why I’m seeing him again. Didn’t he say all he needed to say earlier in the warehouse? Otherwise, why not just come speak to us here instead of before?

“I hear you’re the best, Ryat,” he says, leaning back in the seat.

“I wouldn’t believe everything you hear,” I counter.

He snorts. “Most of the best ones are the cockiest in their field.”

“What do you want?” I ask, getting to the point.

“I want to make sure you understand the situation.”

I tilt my head to the side, running my tongue along the front of my top teeth. “I understand you want revenge on that sorry piece of shit for killing your son.” I don’t blame him. The bastard who was going to take him out killed his six-year-old son, Remy, instead. I can’t even fathom what this man feels right now. I’m the type of man who would never trust my revenge in someone else’s hands. I’d take them out myself. I’d want to see the life drain out of their eyes as they choke on their own blood from my hands.

He looks up, checking to make sure the light is shut off as well before leaning forward. “I gave the order to kill him. But the cops who found the motherfucker arrested him and booked him instead.”

I frown. Matt and I weren’t given any details, so why is he telling me this now? Especially since Matt isn’t present. They placed him in a separate room from me after we were done being booked. “You think they’re on his payroll?”

He sighs. “I’m not sure what the fuck to think.”

“Why are you telling me this?”