Never Go Alone by Denison Hatch

Author:Denison Hatch [Hatch, Denison]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: A Jake Rivett Thriller
Publisher: Lookout Press
Published: 2016-12-01T00:00:00+00:00

SIXTEEN

JAKE WAS IN DEEP SLUMBER as the sun rose through the windows of his apartment. It was bright and early when he heard a loud knocking at the front door. Nikki. Again? Jake groaned. He pulled himself out of bed after about six hours of less-than-superior shut-eye. He padded down the stairs and gazed through the peephole again—and his eyes blew wide.

“Rory,” Jake said as he opened the door.

“Morning sunshine,” Rory said. Rory had a big smile on his face. Extending a coffee for Jake, he took in Jake’s demeanor. “Late night?” he asked.

“Nah,” Jake deflected. “Just catching up on my beauty winks.”

Jake grabbed the coffee and extended his other hand to shake Rory’s. Rory grimaced.

“What’s wrong?” Jake asked.

Rory rubbed his wrists. “Just a little sore,” he said.

“From the evening?”

“What?”

“Oh . . . Mona told me you guys were going out,” Jake said.

Rory nodded. “And how about you?”

“I was just chillin’.”

“Never know,” Rory grinned. “I feel like I look over my shoulder, maybe I’ll see you one day.”

Jake gave Rory a once-over. He grinned. “Don’t think I’m sneaking up on you. Not yet, at least. So what’s up, dude? How’d you find me?”

“Think I wouldn’t check up on a guy I might want in my crew?” Rory asked.

“You said ‘want.’ I’ll take that as a positive.”

“Sure,” Rory shrugged. “Gonna invite me up?”

“My place is a mess,” Jake said.

“Whatever. Let’s roll,” Rory said.

“Uh . . . I wasn’t . . .” Jake stuttered, trying to figure out what Rory was getting at. “Now? I just woke up.”

“Today’s a big day. We gotta get.”

“Where?”

“You’ll see.”

“All right, hold on,” Jake said. “Just gotta get my stuff together.”

“No problem,” Rory smiled.

Jake tried to shut the door, but Rory stepped into the small area at the base of the stairs.

“I got a go-bag packed already. Just gimme a sec!” Jake yelled as he raced up the stairs, two at a time.

He knew that Rory would be right behind him, and he didn’t have time to make sure that there was nothing visible in the apartment. Beyond the shock of seeing Rory at his doorstep, there was definitely something else going on. He could sense it. It was like when he was in boarding school, just about to go to bed, and knew the hall prefect was up to something. He’d have to brace for anything and everything. No matter how much a man changes himself, he can’t fully run away from the person that he used to be. Jake hated feeling powerless—not knowing. He chafed against it because he felt better when he was in charge, even if the only person he controlled was himself. Jake grabbed the bag with all of his exploring gear and pivoted.

Rory was right there, as expected, gazing around the apartment.

“Nice place,” Rory admired the stacks of counterfeit equipment on racks in the room. “This is what you sell?”

“Yeah. Some of it,” Jake replied. “Ready?” Jake stepped in front of Rory and headed down the stairs, hoping that Rory would follow.

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