37
It doesn’t feel like a win, it simply feels like we’re pushing the inevitable.
My guilt ways heavily on my shoulders, guilt for Ainsley having to stay on the run and guilt for all those girls trapped inside the Syndicate.
The city may be safe for now, but I’ll continue to push on Lex to do more.
Ryker sits on the couch, elbows on his knees staring out the windows whilst a scotch dangles between his fingers and Lex stands in the kitchen, pensive, brooding, thinking about everything that happened back at the compound.
I pass Gruff, touching his shoulder. He offers me a small smile but continues to stare out the window, no doubt thinking about Ainsley. I had to wonder what was going on there. Was it something more than just loyalty? When I reach Lex, I smooth a hand down his spine, feeling his muscles relax as my touch soothes him.
“Little bird,” he whispers, dragging me forward until I’m in front of him and caged in his arms, his mouth resting in my hair.
“I think we should reach out to Kingston,” I say after a few minutes of silence, “offer our help in taking them down.”
“We aren’t vigilantes,” Lex mumbles.
“No, but I’m not comfortable leaving it as it is knowing what I know.”
When Lex says nothing, I push from his chest and stare up into those steel eyes of his, “I’ll do it myself. I don’t need your approval.”
His mouth tips up, “no, you don’t.”
“Okay, good.” I nod once, “Then you won’t mind that I’ve already contacted Isobel.”
His chuckle rumbles through my chest, the vibration of it sending a swarm of butterflies to flutter in my stomach, “Why am I not surprised?”
I wasn’t bluffing. I reached out to Isobel a few hours ago. After Eric left, taking his hired gun with him, I found their number and called her. She wouldn’t go into details, she wouldn’t tell me exactly what it is they were planning but she accepted my offer of aid should she ever need it.
Kingston still terrified me but I trusted he would do what was right in this situation.
Lex’s hands skim down my sides as he leans down and kisses me gently, “Go on to bed,” he tells me, “I’ll be through in a moment.”
I look to Ryker and then nod, leaving them to it as I head through to the bedroom and strip.
Rory would have wanted me to try everything I could to stop this organization. I didn’t believe taking them down would put a complete stop to the exploitation of these women but I knew they were a big player and it would help.
Sliding under the sheets I turn to stare out at the twinkling lights of the city, the docks further beyond and let myself breathe for a minute.
How everything has changed.
How my life is a far cry from what it was only months ago.
I know I’ve made the right decision.