Gaslight (Crossbreed #4)(76)
“That’s a nice ring,” Crush said, eyes fixed on the onyx stone. “I don’t remember you wearing that when we first met, but you’ve worn it every time since.”
Christian put his hands in his lap, but he could tell that Crush was still thinking about it.
One thing he’d quickly learned was that Raven’s father was a perceptive man who didn’t bullshit anyone. That made Christian a wee bit uncomfortable. They’d never spoken about Christian’s affection for Raven, because there was no need to. Crush called it the first time they’d met.
“I’ll do what I can to find her,” Christian said, trying to wrap things up.
Crush leaned in. “What are you gonna do when you find him?”
“Worry not. If he’s put one finger on her, I’ll pull his heart out through his belly button. The Mageri wants him, to be sure, but they’ll never get their hands on him if I have any say.”
Crush rubbed his weathered face.
“I have your number if anything comes up.” Christian stood and held on to the lapels of his coat. “Now don’t go traipsing off into the city in search of her.”
“Then don’t give up. You got that?” He retrieved a set of keys from his pocket and walked around the kitchen island. “By the way, swing by my house and check on things. Make sure the garage door is still locked and nobody’s robbed me blind. If anything happens to my bike, your ass is getting nailed to a telephone pole.”
“Do I look like your fecking personal assistant?”
“I don’t give two shits if this puts you out. You’re the one who dragged me out here to God knows where. And bring my mail. I still have bills to pay. I don’t need the postman thinking I’m dead.”
“You keep sitting in that filthy recliner, and you just might catch a disease. If I see any bills in the post, I’ll take care of them.”
“Opening someone else’s mail is a federal offense.”
“Oh, for feck’s sake.” Christian moved swiftly toward the door. “I’ll be at the butcher’s shop from here on out.”
“Is that the best option you got?”
Christian rubbed the back of his neck and turned around. “The only other places he visits regularly are the cleaners and a local pub, but he won’t be popping in for a pint. We’ve got cameras on his house.”
“Why did he suddenly go missing? If the black market is anonymous, what spooked him into hiding?”
“The Enforcers showed up at his employment on his day off. I think someone else there knows how to reach him. If it’s a human, it creates a lot of red tape for Keystone. I can’t get past Breed security to question everyone, and now that they’ve seen me, they’re monitoring the parking lot.”
“Aren’t they the ones that hire you?”
“If you know anything about our world, then you know that working with the Mageri and higher authority is about as thrilling as pulling porcupine needles out of your arse. They don’t want us meddling on the premises, so they sent in their own people. Once we have a name or description, I’ll look into it. For now, I don’t want to spook him. Better that he thinks the dust is beginning to settle.” Christian turned the knob. “Don’t worry, Mr. Graves. I’ll find your daughter.”
“I told you to call me Crush.”
Christian smirked. “I can’t help but appreciate the irony of your name considering your daughter has filled so many of them.”
Crush folded his arms. “Let’s just hope she gets a chance to fill one more. I can’t live out here forever, Vamp. Make some headway, or I’ll have no choice but to go back. I’ve got a shop to run, and I’ve got buddies who might be able to help.”
“Let’s save your Harley girls as a last resort.”
Crush narrowed his eyes. “I’ve seen women with thicker beards than yours.”
Insults were their usual parting words, and they were always trying to one-up the other. Christian waved his hand and walked out. He had half a mind to buy a bucket of pink paint and make sure that Crush’s Harley was given a proper makeover.
His thoughts steered back to Raven as he descended the steps, the door slamming behind him. Did she know Fletcher was in hiding? Was she using it to make him even more paranoid? Men were like wild animals when backed into a corner—they lashed out. Christian couldn’t offer his protection forever. Every man had free will, and Crush wasn’t the type who gave a damn about his own safety. His daughter’s kidnapping was already taking its toll by the looks of the man’s loose shirt and baggy jeans.
As Christian neared his bike, he turned the ring on his finger. If he didn’t come up with new information soon, Viktor would have no choice but to assign him to their other case. Life went on, and they couldn’t exhaust all their resources on a dead end. Eventually they’d pull out completely, and when that day came, Christian would finally know where his loyalty lay—with the organization that gave his life direction, or with the woman who gave his life meaning.
Chapter 23
Miss? Miss, wake up. He brought you food today. Miss?”
Without lifting my head, I opened one eye. Rachel—just a blurry outline of a woman on her knees—set a paper plate on the floor next to me.