Page 54 of Slay King

“This way,” Levi said to me, then began moving toward the far-right exit, where Huck now stood.

Blaise was no longer in sight, and neither was Gage. We were all leaving out a specific door for a reason. There would be more of us there too. This was an attack on someone we were protecting. They’d gotten that close to her in a room full of us, which meant they weren’t a poor shot. It was a warning. One for us. All of us.

Huck grabbed my arm as I started to pass him. I looked at him, narrowing my eyes. He wasn’t the boss. He had about five fucking seconds to let go of me.

“Go on in,” he told Scotlin with a nod of his head, leaving no room for argument.

She looked at me, not letting go. I decided I didn’t mind him grabbing me any longer.

“You’re safe. Go,” I told her, pulling my arm free of her hold.

Thankfully, Huck’s presence made her nervous enough to listen and obey. When she was gone, I jerked my arm free of his hold.

“What is it?” I asked him, preparing myself for more shit from Blaise that was going to piss me off.

“Your orders are to protect Scotlin,” he said.

Tensing, I clenched my teeth. “I was getting her a goddamn drink. This room was full of family.”

Huck cocked an eyebrow. “We know. That’s not what this reminder is for.”

Confused, I stood there, waiting for an explanation. “Then, what is it for, Huck? I’m here.” Not in Georgia, where I wanted to be.

“It’s a reminder to stay by her side.”

“Did I say I was gonna leave?” I shot back.

He glanced over my shoulder, toward the door where Wilder was. I turned to see Wilder there, still looking like he wanted nothing to do with this. His expression was pained. I’d grown up with him. I knew him better than I knew anyone.

“What is it?” I demanded angrily. I was doing all I had been told to do even though I hated every goddamn moment.

Wilder sighed heavily and winced. He literally winced as he walked in this direction. Sliding his gun back into his holster at his hip. The closer he got, the heavier the weight on my chest seemed to grow. I didn’t know what it was he knew, but I could feel it as if it were a physical thing.

“You have two minutes,” Huck said, then turned and left through the door behind us.

My hands were fisted at my sides as I tried to calm the monster clawing inside me. Trying to take over. It wanted to break something. There was an unhinged craziness just under my skin. I’d never experienced this before, and I didn’t know how to contain it. What had triggered it.

Wilder stopped, his eyes locked on me.

“WHAT?” I shouted, unable to contain the rage building.

“It’s Rumor,” he said.

Her name seemed to be the trigger that my inner beast had been listening for. It roared to life as I reached for my best friend and grabbed his shirt.

“What about Rumor?” I seethed, seeing literal red as I stared at him.

“She’s missing.”

The boulder that slammed into my chest took my breath.

No. I shook my head, dropping the hold I had on him, sucking in air. “NO!”

“Two minutes are up,” Gage Presley drawled behind me.

I spun around, ready to take on everyone who stood in my way with my bare hands until I found her. She wasn’t gone.

His gun was pointed at me. “She isn’t your job. You only know because Wilder fought your case. That you should be told. Boss wants you with Scotlin. Go take care of her.”

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