Page 86 of Ghost Hunted

At first, I can’t make out the figure on the screen very well. He’s wearing a leather jacket and distressed jeans, and he’s facing Lia, his back to the camera.

He’s busy doing something—sawing the bars, I realize. And Lia’s crouched in a corner, still naked, looking up at him with a neutral expression.

I shouldn’t have left her naked. I should have dressed her. Fuck!

The minute the bars are cut through, he reaches into the cage, grabbing her wrist. She doesn’t put up much of a fight as he pulls her up. The next moment, he turns back around, and there’s no doubt about it, when I see the jet-black mask on his face. He belongs to the Puicin Gang.

I wonder if she knew he wasn’t me. I wonder if she even remembered who I am.

I swallow painfully.

But my dark thoughts are forgotten when the masked man glances up at the camera, and… nods.

“Well, that answers our question,” mutters Damien from across the room. “He knew about the camera. He just didn’t care.”

I glare at him, and he raises his arms in apology.

“It looks like he was taunting you,” says Seraphina thoughtfully.

“Yeah. I guess.” I sigh, sitting down heavily. “Now what? Now fucking what?”

“Well, now you find her,” says Damien.

I’m back to wanting to punch him. “Yeah? And how do you suggest I do that?”

Damien shrugs. “Well, he didn’t leave all that long ago. I bet we could follow him.”

“I highly doubt he’s stupid enough to allow...” I interrupt myself. “No, he doesn’t care, does he? Seraphina’s right, he was taunting us, nodding up at the camera like that. It’s not about stupidity, it’s about...”

“Balls,” concludes Damien. “Yeah. He clearly doesn’t take us seriously. I bet he thinks his gang could take us. And maybe they could.” He scowls. “They seem to think Devil isn’t as much of a force to be reckoned with as it was in the old days. And with all our enemies joining them, it looks like our day of comeuppance is nigh.”

Even in my anxious state, I can’t help but roll my eyes at his melodramatic tone. “Shut up. And even if they really are the powerful fuckers you’re making them out to be, I could take on the whole gang if it meant saving Lia.”

He sighs. “Fine. But I’ll go with you, and I’ll kill any motherfucker who tries to lay a hand on you.”

“I’ll come too.” Seraphina stands up and tries to go to the kitchen, but Damien holds her back.

“Ah, fuck. I forgot about this one. No kitchen knives for you, pet.”

“Damien, I can take care of myself!”

“Uh huh.” He rubs his eyes. “I need to get you a babysitter. But where can I find one on such short notice? Too bad about that cage, Logan. It would’ve done the trick.”

“It didn’t protect Lia, clearly,” I mutter.

“Yeah, well, I’m a little better at taking care of my girl than you are. Anyway, I guess I’ll have to take her along. But you have to promise me you’ll behave, okay, darling?”

She rolls her eyes.

“Okay, darling?” he repeats, punctuating his question with a hard smack on her ass.

“Okay, okay, fine! Whatever!”

“What happened to my submissive baby, hmm?” he murmurs, kissing her. “You’re getting to be a real brat, aren’t you? Logan, your girl is a bad influence.”

I shrug. I really should hate him for the way he talks about Lia. Anyone else would be dead. But at the end of the day, I know I can count on him.

Besides, I have more urgent shit to deal with, right now.