Playing the Songbird: Chasing the Lead Serial, #2

By Angela Breen

Even heroes fall sometimes. 

It wasn't supposed to be like this. Noah Draggo was a ghost. Murdered alongside his family, he was a specter hell bent on vengeance. And he was okay with that.

Now, he's struggling to find balance between Justice for his dead and safety the rag tag band of misfits clinging to him.

Every move is like a painful game of chess. One mistake could get someone killed. With Paige whispering in his ear about morality and the right way to do things, he makes a terrible mistake.

It wont cost him his life, but it will cost him his sanity if any of these people because of him.

This is the second book in the Chasing the Lead Serial. Read Chasing the Lead first. There will be four books total and this book ends in a cliffhanger.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Raven's Quill Publishing
• Release date: Nov 10, 2021
• ISBN: 9781955331067

Book preview

Prologue

Noah stood watching the flames rise into the air. Disappointment that Nickolas Aguilar wasn’t inside the inferno that used to be his club cheapened this win. Sure, no more girls would be bought or sold in this place, but Aguilar was still free to run his business and worse. Threaten Paige.

The memory of her soft lips pressed into his brought a small smile to his face. This wasn’t just about revenge anymore—it was about her. She stumbled headfirst into the mess that was his life, and she refused to back down. She had a fighting spirit that pissed him off as much as he admired it. If Remi couldn’t get her to quit, though, Noah would have no choice but to take matters, and the reporter herself, into his own hands.

His phone buzzed. He looked at it to see Ace’s number. He changed burners so often he’d had to memorize the number he’d gotten for the kid.

How’d it go?

I’m hungry.

He shook his head. She was as bad as Paige. Forcing her way into his life and then refusing to leave. The sound of sirens in the distance propelled him forward as he typed out his reply.

Then get some food.

I’ll be home soon.

He shoved the phone in his pocket and made his way toward the safe house. As he reached the crossroads, left would lead to Paige’s apartment, and right would take him home. The phone buzzed again.

Can’t you bring home burgers?

I’m craving that really good burger place.

He chuckled, but felt pulled to the left. He’d just check in on her and then head home. After grabbing burgers. He shot Ace a text to let her know the plan and turned the corner onto Paige’s street. It was well lit, and he could see her wide-open window to the fire escape. Dammit.

He’d have to go make sure no one was waiting for her. The lights were off, so he didn’t think she was home yet. That was the best part about burning down clubs. The best time to do it was early evening. Before the club hoppers emerged to party, which left his evenings clear for making sure Paige didn’t get herself killed.

He climbed the fire escape, and, to his complete lack of surprise, no one so much as batted an eye at his ascent. She was not safe here. No way. Dustin could be in her apartment for all he knew. He pulled his handgun from his waistband and held it up, finger along the barrel as he slipped inside the already-open window, looking around the apartment. The largest black cat he’d ever seen gave him a glare and a half-hearted meow that was cut off by a yawn.

Oh, yeah, you’re totally gonna keep her safe, he thought before turning to clear the bathroom and kitchen. With a heavy sigh, the apartment was clear, and he was free to be angry at her for being so foolish. Right up until he noticed the time. Worry crept in.

Just as he was about ready to rip apart the city, looking for her, he heard the key slide into the lock. He slipped into the spare room with the cat and waited. She called the cat, and relief flooded through him at her voice. She was fine. He was being ridiculous. And now, he was stuck in her spare room. Shit.

One

6 Days Later

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Noah held eye contact, despite the bead of sweat that threatened to compromise his authority. She would not win this.

Paige’s mouth in a firm line, she, too, refused to budge.

It’s common sense, Noah stressed again, fighting to keep his voice calm. The dim lighting of the underground lair caused vast shadows to conceal her face. He’d chosen this place because it was abandoned. Although nothing glamorous, it provided all the necessities, including generators, to keep them in power. But most of that went to Ace’s computers. They found you already. Now, it’s time to hide and regroup.

I never agreed to this plan, she spat. A trickle of pride strengthened his resolve as she broke into anger first. This wasn’t the first time they were having this discussion. You and Remi just decided this was best.

You being alive? he scoffed. Yeah, we thought that would be best.

I’ve been down here for days. Her eyes grew wide and crazy as she spoke, and he conceded a tiny step back. Figure out your shit so I can go home, or let me go!

Would you just let us keep you safe? he barked, his resolve fading. You’re making this creepy.

Her mouth dropped open, eyes even wider as she moved her head back as though he’d struck her, and he bit back a laugh. "Me? I’m making this creepy? I’m sorry, Noah, but who kidnapped whom?"

Fine, go. Get the fuck out. But I can’t keep you safe, and Remi’s gonna be pissed when he has to worry about your ass while he’s trying to sniff out the damn moles!

Children! Dustin’s voice boomed through the tiny bunker. He’d been sitting on the couch, head leaned back, pillow pressed against his face for the entirety of their argument up to this point. Shut the fuck up! If you spent half the time you spend arguing about this actually investigating and making a damn plan, we’d be out of here already. So, you two need to shut up or bang, so we can get the fuck out of here already!

Paige eyed him, her cheeks flushed. I’m—gonna go take a shower.

She ran from the room, and Noah plopped down on the couch next to Dustin. You’re an asshole.

Dustin shrugged. You’re not enough of an asshole. And if ‘I’m gonna shower’ wasn’t a booty call, I don't know what is.

Right, because the only reason to shower is sex.

Dustin stared at him as if waiting for him to make a point.

Before he could respond, the door opened, and Ace entered, a sack of burgers in her arms.

Thank God, Dustin remarked.

Red! Noah called. Chow’s here!

Noah finished his food and eyed Paige’s burger on the counter.

Take it to her, Dustin said. Noah’s eyes drifted to Ace. She was at her computer, checking security cams or hacking into something that would end up being incredibly useful. Either way, the nine-year-old was not listening to them.

She said she was going to shower.

Dustin’s eyes narrowed. Yeah, right after I told you two to bang already. That’s an invitation, Bro.

Noah shook his head. Anything shy of ‘stick your dick in me’ is not an invitation.

You’re taking the fun out of it. Worst-case scenario, she says no, and you have to leave her burger on her bedside table. Best-case scenario? I’m right, you fuck her brains out, and we can all get back to what we’re supposed to be doing. Saving kids while putting Aguilar and whoever he’s working for six feet under.

Noah eyed the burger and fries. Dustin was right. There was no reason he couldn’t bring Paige her food. If she didn’t want him there, she could tell him as much. It’s not like she was the kind of woman to stay silent about her feelings. He grabbed the burger and