“When?”
“Tonight.”
“Tonight?”
“That a problem?”
“No,” I mutter. “I just didn’t think this would happen so fast.”
“In the DEA’s mind, your brother’s crew is highly prone to pulling up anchor at the first whiff of law enforcement sniffing around their business. They want to make a move before that happens.”
“Right.” I suck in a gulp of air. “Okay. That makes sense.”
“Are you sure you’re ready for this?”
“Ready as I’ll ever be, Tomlinson.”
“I’ll come pick you up in a few hours, then.”
When we disconnect the call, I take a series of deep breaths, forcing my frantic heartbeats to slow. When I’d wished for a distraction from thoughts of Jo back in the shower, I’d certainly never expectedthis.
A reckless part of me is glad for any diversion. Even a dangerous one that could backfire disastrously. But an eerily calm part of me is too laser-focused on the endgame to think about the potential danger.
Jaxon, out of my life.
For good this time.
Behind bars, where he belongs.
Where he can’t hurt the people I love anymore.
Where he can’t threaten the girl I love, anymore.
This is happening.
There’s no backing out, now.
And, as I stare into my closet, wondering what the fuck one wears to discuss becoming a confidential informant in a sting operation, I realize I don’t want to back out. I want the mess my brother created wiped clean.
I’m done with the past.
My gaze is locked on my future.
Ourfuture.
Jo’s and mine.
TWENTY-NINE
josephine
My tires crunchagainst the driveway as I pull to a stop in front of Cormorant House. The mansion looks foreboding as ever in the darkness as I shut the engine and climb out into the night. The rain has finally stopped, but a drizzly mist hangs in the air. It clings to my hair and coats my skin as I walk up the front steps to the imposing front door.
This is the last place I want to be, tonight.
My parents’ domain.
Each step against the flagstones positions me a bit more firmly back under their thumb. I do my best to shake off the sensation and force myself to keep moving. I feel like a lamb walking blithely into a slaughterhouse — even as I assure myself it won’t be for much longer.