Hate & Chaos : The Complete Duet by C. Hallman

Author:C. Hallman [Hallman, C.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Bleeding Heart Press
Published: 2024-10-25T00:00:00+00:00

27

REN

“The biggest little city in the world.”

She hasn’t said much throughout our drive, and until now, I imagined she was too upset to speak. Not that I’d be much fun to converse with. I’m a bit too distracted for that.

I’ve been too distracted all week.

With that in mind, I reach over to squeeze her thigh once we’ve passed beneath the sign spanning the width of Virginia Street. “It’s a shame you’re a little kid, or we could do some gambling.”

“Shut up,” she warns, swatting at my hand. “I look older than my age.”

“They’d probably card you, child. Not that it matters, we won’t have time for that,” I continue, scanning both sides of the street as we roll along. I haven’t seen any familiar faces, but I can’t shake the idea of William being out here somewhere. Preying on stupid kids who don’t know any better.

Would he recognize me?

Are they on alert after what happened to Christian?

Get it together. River’s voice reverberates in my head like a gong, centering me for a moment. I can’t afford to let paranoia tear me to pieces. Not with the stakes this high. It’s all riding on me. All of our planning, countless hours of recon work.

The sacrifices. I’ve lost track of how many our mission has required.

I said goodbye to my entire life.

No, on second thought, not my entire life.

She’s still here, beside me through everything. She’s all I need. All the reason in the world to build a new life, a better life. For her sake.

And I will—we will.

But first, I have to do what I came to Reno to accomplish.

My angel is busy admiring the hotels and the people walking up and down both sides of the crowded street. My dark mood hasn’t affected her excitement.

“Where are we staying?”

“You’ll find out soon enough.” A pair of kids in clothes that have seen better days walk down the sidewalk not twenty feet away, and the impulse to pull over and warn them is almost too much to resist. I can’t assume every kid who looks like they just rolled out of bed is a potential victim.

“Ren!”

Scarlet’s squeal leaves me slamming on the brakes not a second too soon. Otherwise, I would’ve blown through a red light and gotten T-boned. Wouldn’t that be a kick in the ass?

To die here, in the middle of the street, falling short of my goal. My death wouldn’t mean shit, but hers… it would mean everything.

“You okay?” I ask, still searching the crowd for any familiar faces.

“Fine,” she says shakily, pretending to wipe sweat from her forehead. “I always love watching my life flash before my eyes.”

I have to get my shit together. This isn’t only my life, but hers. My angel deserves my full attention. What happens tomorrow can wait until tomorrow. Tonight, it’s all about her. Us.

That attitude lasts until I pull into the front courtyard of the hotel. Immediately, a valet approaches, wearing a smile as he reaches for the passenger door handle. “Welcome to Peppermill.

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