I laced my fingers through his. “We’ll get her justice, won’t we?”
A ghost of a smile crossed his lips. He heard what I truly said.
I forgive you.
“We’re barely through the list of possible combos,” he said. “I’ve got nothing for the next several nights. I’ll pick you up at midnight.”
“It’s a date.”
JACQUES
I woke before the sun Wednesday morning.
A light sleeper, I heard her moving downstairs a floor up and behind closed doors. Flipping over, I read six a.m. on the clock.
In two hours, her presence was required in front of Bedlam Hall to receive a gift. Behind her back, Cairo, Arsenio, Roan, Legend, and I argued ways to get her out of this and the consequences if we did.
Rainey wasn’t willing to risk another murder—especially if the Letter Man set Paris in his sights. We were up for another murder—his.
Minutes after Rainey’s call to Cairo about Craig Brown, he was on the phone to us confirming Blake Jensen did exist. Rainey didn’t know we were tracking him down ourselves. Monday night, Cairo used our dinner invitation with the boss to ask her about black letters and families with the last name Jensen.
“What is the relevance?” she asked, polite tone clashing against the intensity in her gaze. “Is there a problem I’m unaware of?”
“I’m not sure if it’s a problem,” he said. “I got a black letter in the mail. There were threats made against me and the guys. I assumed at first it was the Crows, but black letters in the mail seem dramatic even for them.”
She smiled, though it didn’t reach her eyes. “I’m sure it’s nothing. Someone being dramatic as you said. The Bedlam Boys have collected their fair share of enemies. If you receive another, bring it to me. I’ll decide if the threat is worth acting on and how to proceed if it is.”
“Sure,” he said. “Thanks.”
“How is the name Jensen related?”
“It’s not,” I answered. “We’re looking into possibilities for the new Dante. This guy is bolder and begging to attract the wrong attention by posting revenge polls. Jensen was the last name of a guy who bought sound equipment from the pawnshop on Third. Owner didn’t catch a first.”
Her lips twisted. “Dante. A thorn in Bedlam’s side for a hundred years, and now it seems the mantle was taken over by a silly boy playing a big man behind the microphone. Find him,” she ordered. “I cannot think of a Jensen that fits that description off the top of my head. I’ll get back to you.”
We hoped she’d have more. Wednesday morning dawned and she hadn’t called.
Getting up, I slid pants up my bare ass and left my shirt hanging in the closet. I was going down to meet Rainey. I only needed a belt.
Padding downstairs, I paused in the entrance, watching her chop bananas and toss them in the blender.
No one told her she had to make our breakfast. Honestly, it was a task none of us minded doing, and in respect of more honesty, we didn’t mind her cooking for us either. Rainey de Souza took care of everyone around her. Even if they didn’t deserve it. Even if they were us.
She looked up healthy meals for me. Ran out to get ice packs. Soothed Cairo when he was pissed. Let her ass be stress relief for Legend. Indulged the darkest side of her for Roan. Crossed the razor-thin tightrope of Arsenio’s self-control to meet the man on the other side.
I sensed when Cairo told us the name of Cavendish’s killer that she’d be dangerous for us. Both innocent and deadly, she’d feed a brutal side of our souls that needed no more encouragement.
I didn’t consider at the time what she’d do to the rest of us.
“Breakfast is almost ready,” she called. “I’m making your smoothie and a sweet potato breakfast hash for all of us.”
“Is this distraction helping you?”
She froze, then continued on, taking the milk out of the fridge. “It’s not hurting.”
“Would it also help if I went with you?”
“Thank you, but Legend is going to be there. Who knows what’ll provoke him, but I can’t carry the cost of him changing his mind and opting for punishment because he figured out I told you all about our game.”
“We will find out who he is.”
She gave me a worn smile. “I know we will. Gold is looking for Dante. I’m looking for Blake Jensen. One of these paths will lead to him.”
“Have you considered what you’ll do once you unmask him?”
“I’m throwing him at the cops. Let them put that animal in a cage.”
“Well then, I’d better get to him before you.”
My words hung in the air.
Rainey dropped her forehead on the blender. “Please, Jacques, just tell me everything’s going to be okay.
“I can’t do that, Rainey.”
“Why not?”
“Because I’ll do a lot of things, but I won’t lie to you.”