Page 15 of Whispers In Wonderland

Whatever’s happening, I need her to stay calm.

I smooth the hair off her cheek and nod reassuringly.

“Stay here and keep Zuzu and Sasha warm.”

“Yes, Sir,” she says, expression concerned.

“Be a good girl,” I order, hastily pulling on my pants and mask, and backpedaling toward Shadow. “Stay here. I’ll be back soon.”

She nods silently as Zuzu wraps an arm around her waist and steers her toward the couch, murmuring, “Help me ease Sasha back into her skin, gently? She’s always sad to return from subspace.”

Good man. My protective Kitten can relate. Aftercare with her often stretches into multiple hours. Hours we’re not going to get tonight.

“What’s wrong?”

Shadow glances at Zuzu who’s cuddling both subs close, anger rolling off him in waves.

“Riley’s dead boss,” he says in a low tone.

My gaze cuts to Eclipse standing by expression stoic waiting for orders.

“Stay with my Kitten and our friends. No one gets near them,” I order, tone sharp but low enough that it won’t carry to the three cuddling on the couch, casting curious glances. Jordan’s edging toward alarm as more men crowd around me. “Keep a lid on this.”

I barely pause to see his solemn nod and silently gesture an order for Kyle to stay with him.

No one should be alone.

Then, I’m in the hall following Brody and Ronan toward Cillian’s office, Shadow and the rest of security following close. My heart pounds with rage as I push through the crowded dungeon, thoughts racing to make sense of how someone could take Riley down right under our noses. It’s not just my entire team here, but Cillian’s most trusted men standing guard as well. I can’t see them, but because his wife is on the premises, it’s a guarantee they’re there. Anywhere Aisling goes, is certainly better guarded than Fort fucking Knox by Cillian’s most trusted.

How did this fucking happen? I want answers.

The startled gazes of the club patrons follow me, no doubt wondering what’s going on as the four of us storm past. I have no time for polite appearances. All I can think about is how to get Jordan home safely and keep her blissfully unaware of the real reason for our trip to Club Wonderland. My darkest instincts know the blame lies at Lucian’s feet, in more ways than prompting a trip to New York to see Cillian.

Stop jumping to conclusions. Calm down.

Our strides lengthen as we hurry down the hall to the office, but my breathing slows as I shake myself out of the shock. There’s no room for hasty mistakes when playing chess with the devil. Ronan opens the door to Cillian’s office, and Aisling tilts her head as we all pile through.

“Gentleman,” she greets us with a tone that’s wildly mismatched with the peacock feathers, as if gaggles of men rushing through the door to her is a common occurrence. Then again, she has at least three men here wrapped around her finger, so maybe it is. She reads the mood, and surprisingly turns to me rather than her husband, eyebrow raised.

“Where’s your Kitten?” It’s a tactical question. She’s already running scenarios, and my respect for her climbs several notches.

“In a private room in the west wing, with Eclipse and two club members. She can’t know what’s going on.”

Jordan will never know this part of my life.

“I see,” she nods, calculating. “I’ll go pay a visit and see how she’s enjoying our Amazonian adventure.”

Her gaze flicks to Cillian who gives the barest of nods, but she’s already in motion to the door. Brody falls into step beside her, and they disappear into the hallway.

Shadow holds out my phone. A text message from an unknown local number reads, “It seems you’ve lost something.”

I open the photo attachment, and Riley’s disembodied head, sitting in a pool of blood, stares back at me, eyes eerily wide open and staring blankly. Shadow grunts in disbelief, barely looking at the photo of our newest team member. Ronan curses under his breath. The look on Cillian’s face mirrors mine and says it all. I’ll storm the earth, destroying anything and everything in my path to find out how this happened and who is responsible.

It’s only a matter of time before all hell breaks loose.

The room pulses with tension as Cillian and I stare at one another. His expression is inscrutable.

The room pulses with coiled tension as Cillian and I stare at one another. His expression is inscrutable. Without a word, Ronan slips into the hall.

---