A grin stretched across Ryker’s lips as Brynleigh curled up next to him. River stretched out on the floor, pointing out her favorite players as they ran across the screen. Atlas and Nikhail claimed the armchairs, and Marlowe dozed by the door. Ember arrived, joiningRiver on the floor, and together, they laughed and screamed every time the Dragons got a point.
By the time the game was over—the Dragons won—Ryker’s cheeks hurt from grinning. Even the news that Jelisette had a job for Brynleigh tomorrow didn’t shake him from his happiness.
Thiswas where he was meant to be, the life he was meant to live, and it feltright.
CHAPTER 26
More than Just an Asset
Two days had passed since the laser game, and the relaxed air from that night was long gone.
Now, Brynleigh’s stomach was twisted up once again. That had been happening frequently, but it was worse tonight, thanks to Ryker’s pacing up and down the living room floor.
Brynleigh sat on the couch, her legs crossed beneath her, as he walked back and forth.
The laser game had been nice, although she still didn’t understand the purpose of the supposedly recreational activity. A bunch of grown men chasing each other with bright beams across a field for hours seemed silly to her, but everyone else had enjoyed it. She’d been happy to spend time with Ryker and get to know his friends.
The normalcy of that night was a million miles away now.
“I don’t like this,” her fae captain growled for the tenth time that hour. “So many things could go wrong.”
He’d made his displeasure clear. This discussion had been going on all day; now, the moon was high in the sky.
Last night, Brynleigh had gone on a job in the Western Region. In a show of growing trust, Ryker hadn’t tagged along.
That had been for the best.
Her target had been one of the worst men she’d ever encountered, which said a lot. Josef Longrun was a prizewinning photographer who’d pivoted photos of landscapes to ones of youth in compromising positions. His actions were deplorable, and Brynleigh had found twisted pleasure in ending his life.
Without Ryker there, she’d been able to concentrate on her job. Josef Longrun hadn’t deserved an easy death. He’d bled, whimpered, and screamed all night long before she finally killed him.
Usually, she hated the whiners, but she’d found Josef’s sniveling weakness empowering. Every cry, every plea, and every time he begged for forgiveness had drawn a smile to her lips.
The peace she’d gotten from last night’s kill was gone now.
Sighing, Brynleigh caught Ryker’s hand in hers. She tugged him over to the couch.
“Sit with me?” she asked.
He gave her a look that made it clear he’d rather still pace, but to his credit, he complied. He was like a furnace next to her, and she leaned into his warmth.
“We’ve been over this,” she said calmly. She appreciated his protectiveness, but this was the only way forward. “We need the cipher. Zanri told us where it is, and I’m going to get it. I’ll go in, debrief Jelisette, then find the key. I’ll be long gone before she realizes I took anything. If she even realizes I took it.”
Brynleigh had already stolen one thing from Jelisette. How difficult could it be to take another?
Besides, she had to do this. It would be a disservice to Zanri if they didn’t use the information he’d given them. She was still hopeful they’d be able to get him out of prison. Somehow.
Ryker grabbed a black hoodie off the back of the couch and yanked it over his head.
“Jelisette is unstable,” he snarled. “She fed you lies for six gods-damned years, and she’s fucking dangerous.”
He didn’t want her to get hurt. That was sweet of him.
“I’m well aware.” Brynleigh fiddled with the hemof her dark pink and black sweater. It hugged her curves and gave her confidence, which she desperately needed before going to see her Maker.
Merely calling Jelisette unstable was a disservice to instability. The older vampire was certifiably insane.
It was the Binding.