Fatally Yours

Chapter 17

•DOMINIK•

"What about her family background?" I asked Andrei, the main hacker in our crew.

He twisted his lips, leaning back against his rolling chair, away from the computer.

"Parents died when she was young. She's been in the foster system for a while, then got into juvie. No other family members or close relatives in her history. She was an only child," Andrei said.

I folded my arms and stared at the profile picture of Nova West on the screen. The picture looked like it was taken a few years ago. Brown hair, chestnut-colored eyes, a button nose, and an innocent face that could she could easily weaponize.

Pretty on the outside, but probably poisonous on the inside.

Lee had been acting more recklessly lately, which made my blood boil, but I understood why he was acting out. That's why I'd been giving him more free passes than usual.

When he decided to recruit some random girl off the street, though, my nerves had been on edge ever since. Not just because he let her work for him without consulting me, but because of her.

There's just something about her that triggers this unsettling feeling inside me. I can't tell if it's the way she carries herself or the fact that I find myself inexplicably drawn to her for that same reason.

I can't put my finger on it yet, but if my instincts are right, this woman will bring us unexpected trouble soon.

"Call Lee and find out where he is right now," I ordered Andrei, who twisted around in his chair to look at me.

"They're doing that thing today. Making the drop at Void Check Cashing."

"Is Nova with him?"

Andrei nodded slowly. "Probably. Lee's been keeping her on a short leash, taking her everywhere these days. I don't know what's going on between them, but she's been sticking around a lot more."

I clenched my jaw and stared at Nova's picture again. I swear, if things start to go sideways and Lee gives me more reason to kill him, I'll hold that woman responsible.

I haven't felt this on edge in a while, and it's all because she's constantly included in our operations. I don't care if her background is squeaky clean or that she's proven herself worthy to be one of us.

My gut says otherwise, and I tend to trust my instincts more than anyone else. Right now, they're screaming that this woman might become our downfall for all the wrong reasons.

Until I find a reason why she shouldn't be trusted, I'll keep a close eye on her—and Lee—myself.

•INDIANA•

Lee's men walked ahead of us, carrying the duffel bags inside. They stopped at the front counter and dumped the bags there. Lee walked up to the counter and started chatting with the elderly man behind it.

While they were busy with business, I turned toward the window to keep watch. I'd been on lookout for barely five minutes when I saw three black minivans pull up outside.

A group of men jumped out, and my eyes zeroed in on the rifles and handguns they carried. My instincts kicked in immediately.

"Get down!" I yelled just as the shooters began firing from outside.

I quickly crouched behind a wall as glass and bullets rained down, the sound of gunfire echoing. Lee and his guys retaliated, but there were too many shooters outside. We were clearly outnumbered.