“Wild horses couldn’t stop me,” I tell him, squeezing his hand back.
“Good,” Linc says, grabbing his keys and phone, pulling a gun from behind him and handing it to me. “Then let’s get this show on the road shall we?”
* * *
The drive into the city takes a few hours. Mav and Finn play some stupid game on a hand held console the entire journey, while I spend all my time thinking of nothing but Indi and how the fuck I’m going to make this happen. I still don’t exactly have a plan, but I’m not leaving without Indi. And if I have to unearth some secrets, I will. It might piss Linc off, considering it’s his cousin, but this is one of those times when the ends justify the means.
Linc’s hand rests on my thigh, the same way it has the entire drive. “Do you know why Ryker hasn’t just gone in guns blazing and taken her back?”
He shakes his head, the other two going quiet in the back of the Porsche. “I haven’t talked to Ryker much since you’ve been gone, but Indi was taken the day after you were, so I’ve been a little occupied. I only know that whatever it is that the Rebels want from the Kings, it’s not a quick and dry trade. So getting Alexander to give her up isn’t going to be easy. I’ve already tried. Twice.”
I look over at him, chewing the inside of my cheek. “I know. I appreciate it, but I can’t just quit. There’s no way Indi would quit on me, and I can’t help but feel responsible. She was out there with you guys looking for me when she was taken.” I don’t tell him that I’m pretty sure I know what the Rebels want from the Kings, and why the Kings won’t just comply.
I also keep the information about Alexander to myself. I don’t want to use what I know unless I have to.
We drive the rest of the way in silence, just the songs playing on the radio filling the empty space. It’s not long before we’re pulling up to what looks like an abandoned warehouse.
“Don’t let the appearance fool you,” Linc says, taking in the skeptical look on my face. “There are a dozen apartments in there, as well as a warehouse space. Alexander basically made this place a fortress.”
Awesome news. Just freaking delightful.
“So how do you propose we get in?” I ask, not wanting to use my hidden advantages just yet. A girl gets to have some secrets, especially with the treasure troves of them this bunch have.
He shuts off the engine and turns to look at me, smirking. “I thought this was your crusade?”
Mav barks out a laugh from the back seat, and I flip him the bird while I glare at Lincoln. “Fine, you stay here. I’ll get this shit done myself.”
I open the door and climb from the car, slamming the door shut. “V, come on. You know he’s just being an asshole. Wait up.”
Finn’s voice makes me pause, and I turn to face them, brow cocked. “I don’t need you to help me. I’ll get my girl back my damn self.”
“We know you don’t need us.” Lincoln sighs, scrubbing a hand down his face. Something flickers in his eyes that raises red flags, but it’s gone as quickly as it appeared. “We are all very aware of that, so maybe just let us help you.”
“I asked for your help. You’re the one stuck in asshat mode.” I turn back around and head toward the door on the side of the building, pounding my hand against it until the small viewing hatch in the door is opened. “I’m here to see Alexander.”
“Sorry, lady, you’re at the wrong place.”
I pull the 9mm Lincoln gave me on the ride here and put the barrel through the hatch before he can slide it shut.
“Shit,” Finn curses, and I hear them all move quickly behind me, preparing themselves for war.
“I don’t think I am. Now let me repeat myself. My name is Octavia Royal, and I’m here to see Alexander Saint.”
The sound of footsteps and shouts sound through the door, but I keep my gun trained on the guy behind the door.
“Do not make me ask again.”
“Fuck you, bitch,” the guy grunts.
I let off a shot beside his ear.
“That was your last warning,” I growl before looking up at the camera by the door. “Get your ass down here, Saint.”
My heart pounds in my chest; my bravado is little more than a show right now—I’m just winging it here.
There are more shouts and the sound of metal scraping on metal before I hear Alex’s voice. “Open the door, Benny. She’ll shoot you in the nuts and not think twice.”
Lincoln looks at me suspiciously, and I shrug. His cousin hasn’t come up before now, how was I supposed to know Alex didn’t mention that he and my father kept in touch, and by proxy, he’d kept in touch with me?