An Oath In Blood (Book #3)

Chapter 30: The Word Of A Killer

CORVINA HAWKE

The tension in the living room could be cut with a knife. I looked around the room, trying to disappear into myself as I waited for Lily and Trish to arrive. Warren was standing beside me, his arms crossed over his chest, his lips pursed as he waited for Tariq. He had gone to his in-laws and was now on his way back home.

The rest of the group was scattered over the room; Ahvi pacing the length of the spacious living room, stopping to check her phone every once in a while. Jace and Ren were seated in armchairs across from each other, glaring at Warren who hadn't spoken after Ren had asked him shut up when we had arrived and he had tried to explain himself.

"Who is this?" Ahvi had asked when I had entered the room behind him and cursed when Warren told her that I was the woman he had asked her to find. I was quickly realizing that he had hid a whole lot of things from his friends. Maybe he didn't trust them as much as I had assumed.

I straightened when the doorbell rang. "I'll get it." I stammered, walking out of the room as the friends stared at me with a strange look in their eyes. I knew how confusing it must be for them that I was here with Warren, when they had all gotten into this shit because of me.

I used the walk to the foyer to breathe, shake off the nerves creeping up and down my spine. I wasn't good around people and I knew I would be put on the spot soon, especially when Tariq arrives. The fact that the doorbell had been rung indicated that it wasn't the owner of the house who'd arrived.

I opened the door to find Lily and Trish outside, their eyes widening at the sight of me. "Hawke," Trish mumbled, stepping through the door and pulling me into a hug. "You scared us." He murmured into my shoulder. "Who sends a vague text and doesn't respond after?" He demanded when he pulled away.

"I'm sorry. I was with the Encore crew and the tension was so thick, I couldn't think of anything else." I explained when he pulled away. Dressed in a plane v-neck white shirt and dark wash jeans, Trish looked less intimidating than usual. His size could put people off so when off-duty, he dressed as casually as he could manage.

Lily stepped forward, wearing a pair of palazzo pants and a tank top. Her sunglasses had been pushed over her head and her bag with her laptop was hung over her shoulders. "Where are they?" She asked, gaze darting down the hall over my shoulder.

"They're harmless. Except for Ahvi. She looked like she wanted to gut me the moment Warren told them who I was," I responded, turning around to lead my friends down the hall.

We stepped into the living room and every pair of eyes turned on us. Ahvi's gaze narrowed as she looked from me to Trish to Lily, her stance turning defensive as if she was ready to attack if need be. Jace and Ren got up from their places on the armchairs, facing us fully.

"These are my partners: Trish and Lily." I introduced my friends, keeping the shudder out of my voice. I could do it. I had read up everything about these people. I practically knew them. Probably more than I knew myself. "Lily will help us check if it was my boss behind Eman's disappearance." I added when they just stared at us weirdly, their faces void of any emotions.

"They're not going to hurt us." Warren spoke up, making his friends snap their heads to look at him.

"You don't get to speak right now, Hale." Jace took a step toward him but Ahvi hurried to his side, grabbing his tattooed arm. I stepped forward as if on instinct, as if my flight or fight system was now somehow linked to Warren.

"Not here, babe." She murmured, pulling on his arm until he took a step back. His gaze softened when he glanced at his girlfriend, an emotion that was foreign to me flashing in his eyes. I relaxed when he turned to her, lacing their fingers together.