Chapter 220 Back For More

Chapter 220 Back For More
Chapter 220: Back For More? 
Reese 

I did not knock.

Frustration had burned the courtesy out of me somewhere between the living room and Ryan’s door. I put my shoulder into it and the thing flew open hard enough to bounce off the wall.

He was in a chair by the window, bent over a tablet, brows drawn tight. Whatever was on that screen mattered. The second he saw me he flipped the device facedown and sat up straighter, glare already loaded.

“What are you doing here? Back for more?” The sarcasm came easy, even with one arm bound. “And I'm guessing closed door means come in now?”

I looked at him properly. Bare chest. Sling holding the shoulder I had driven into a wall that morning. Tablet hidden like a dangerous secret. “You are awfully quick to cover a screen I could not even see from the door. What are you hiding, Big Joe?”

He glared so hard it looked like he wanted to throw a punch. “You dislocated my arm. Get out.”

I did the opposite. I walked in and let the door shut behind me. “If you had not put yourself between me and your partner in crime, you would still have two working arms. You chose the side. You collected the receipt.”

A short, humorless sound left him. “Noted. Next time you are trying to beat a brother to death, I will stand back and take notes. Anything else? I don't think so. Use the door, Reese. I was busy.”

I smiled without warmth and sat on the edge of the bed across from him. My phone was already in my hand.

“I was busy too. On my way to Reginald’s office, actually. I had something I thought he might enjoy. Funny thing. It is about you.” I turned the screen toward him. “Want to see it before he does?”

The color left his face so fast it was almost funny.

He was on his feet in a second, good hand snatching the phone. Veins stood out along his temple as he stared at the photograph Ramsey had taken—the one that should not have existed, the one that put Ryan where he had clearly not wanted to be.

“Where did you get this?” The growl was low. “Tell me!” 

“Do not raise your voice at me.” I stood, took the phone back, and felt the heat coming off him. “You have been a very busy, naughty boy.”

He froze, fists clenched, the bound arm making the posture look more trapped than dangerous. “Who else has seen it?”

“Are you worried?” I stepped closer. “Scared Roman aims at you next? That he finds out you have been frolicking with Penelope like you didn't know she was a psychopath? Let me guess, the empty graves… Those were your ideas. You and Penny, working a private little resurrection. How did you even find each other? How long?”

His eyes widened. Just a flicker. Then the mask came down again. The kind that confirmed more than a speech would have.

“I will give you this,” I said. “You have always been good at standing in the middle of a room and yet remaining invisible. Not actually hidden. Just never quite seen. That takes skill. But every game has a ceiling, Ryan. And by the way—” I let the next piece drop. “I have your gold. The whole weight of it. How did you even move that much without anyone noticing?”

That one got to him. “Where is it?”

My brows went up. “That is the question? Not the graves. Not the photograph. The gold. What are you, a goblin? Or a dragon sitting on a pile?” 

He grabbed the front of my shirt with his good hand, knuckles white. “That gold is mine. I earned it. You do not touch it.” 

The intensity of it was almost more unsettling than the photo. Greed I understood. This was something else. Need with venom.

“Are you broke?” I could not keep the disgust entirely out of my voice. “Do not tell me the eldest son of this circus is circling bankruptcy. You are talking about that metal like it is your oxygen.”

He laughed. “Broke? Is that the story you people tell yourselves? This is not about how much I have. It is about what is mine. What I was owed. What I was never going to be handed because I was not the favorite and I was not the weapon and I was not the son who made a useful kind of mess.”

I peeled his hand off my shirt. “I do not want your gold. You can keep your shit. I want what's important. Why Penelope was here the night the blood sucker went down. Why those graves were empty. What you are building under this house while the rest of us are busy trying to not lose our fucking selves.”

“Why did you dig?” His voice had gone tight. “How did you get that picture? This does not concern you.”

“Fine.” I shrugged. “Then Reginald can decide how concerned he wants to be when I drop it on his desk. I do not have to love the man to enjoy watching you explain yourself to him.”

He studied me for a long second. Something like recognition moved through his face.

“You have changed.”

I laughed. I had heard the sentence too many times this year for it to still feel like news. “I just stopped being you, Ryan.”

The smile he gave me did not reach his eyes. “I like this version better, if I am honest.” He turned, walked back to the chair, and sat as if the fight had been a preface. “Sit down. We talk.”

I stayed standing. “Talk about what? How you have been a snake since the day you learned how to play creep on command? How you have been playing house with a dead woman—”

“I have nothing to do with Penelope.”

I paused. Finally.

“I have no arrangement with her. I do not know where she is. That photograph is not what you think it is.”

I watched his mouth. Waited.

He looked at me as if he were tired of carrying the sentence alone. “That was not Penelope, Reese.”

A beat.

“That was Dahlia. And that gold belongs to the both of us.”

\~~~~~PAGE’S LITTLE LOVE NOTE~~~~~

Hiiii! 

So, first of all, I’m insanely sorry for not updating Reese and Lizzie’s story for a while now. I really had A LOT going on. Personally.

I’m truly, truly sorry. 

And also, before you lot start saying, “Hey, just one chapter?” Just know that I’m going to work on the drafts on my device and edit some new chapters soon. Fingers crossed I actually have the time to do it tomorrow.

I know. I’m sorry. Again. But like I said earlier… it’s been a lot, my sweets. I’m really sorry to disappoint you.

But on a lighter note, we have about 30 chapters or so left on From Lies To Loyalty. And about 40 or so left on Dangerously Yours.

Yes.

We’re actually nearing the end of these two amazing books. 

Can’t believe none of you called it. 

I suppose that’s because, just like me, you lot don’t want Lizzie and Reese to come to an end either. 

Thank you for sticking with me. You’re honestly amazing. Each and every one of you.

Furthermore, I’m still trying to figure out who actually won the poll. Alex or River? Whose story comes next?

It seems to be a tie.

Bummer. 

BUT… both stories already have their opening chapters and covers ready. I just cannot seem to figure out which one you lot want first.

Honestly, I feel like a bloody yo-yo. 

Something else to note, just as a little side note: every other story after this second book will be happening simultaneously.

Yes. They’ll all be moving on with their lives at the same time.

Everything is happening at once. All their lives. All at the same time.

So please don’t get worried when you come across something in the upcoming books. There’s a reason for it. 

Oh boy… it’s a lot.

In addition, after this book, a LOT of new characters are going to be introduced.

And I mean A LOT.

It’s going to be a proper standalone book with so many new faces and personalities being introduced. But don’t worry, it’s still about the Blackwoods.

And of course, our favourites are still going to make appearances. 

Just bear in mind that they’ll probably be a little older.

Roman will probably be pushing his mid-forties.

Reese will be pushing forty.

Ryan will be pushing the big fifties.

Wild.

And honestly? Quite exciting. I genuinely cannot wait.

Andie, Miles, and the other kids will be older too.

Yes.

They’re not going to be babies or toddlers anymore. 

They’re growing up!

Unrelated, but my sister and I were planning a Christmas holiday and swapping some absolutely wild holiday stories when I suddenly came up with a hilarious story idea.

And honestly?

I’m still blown away by how good it is! 

It’ll probably be one of those standalone books I told you all about earlier, and I just know you lot are going to love it.

It’s soooo good!!!!!

I can barely keep it to myself. 

I’m literally shaking with excitement. I cannot wait for you guys to experience all of this.

Finally…

Isn’t it rather funny that both Alex and River are love-triangle books?!

SCREAMING. 

Love you guys!!!