Page 120 of Knight

“Where the fuck is she?” I ask, my eyes on our empty table. There’s less of a crowd inside Anansi’s but Willow’s not amongst them.

I was on cloud nine all the way here, Damien whispering his dirty plans for me in my ear. But now, I’m filled with panic, my stomach wrenching.

“Check the bathroom,” Damien instructs, his voice a lot calmer than mine.

Taking a deep breath, I move down a narrow hallway to the single bathroom. Hitting my knuckles against the wood, I wait for her voice. “Willow?”

“It’s in use!” That’s the sound of a gruff man. Not my sister.

My heart sinks and I’m rushing back to Damien while I scan the room, noise muffling. I swallow hard before I report, the situation sinking in. “She’s not here.”

Damien takes another look around and while it looks like he’s trying to stay calm, I see his jaw clench. “Wait here.” He moves over to the front counter, leaning into Miss Anita. Her brows lower when she glances over at our table before she shakes her head, scratching her hairnet.

A pang hits my chest.

A blow to my gut.

My nails sink into my palms pushed deep into my jacket. I don’t wait for them to finish their conversation before I head outside, the cold air slapping my face, my hair in the wind. The shop isn’t big at all and I can see the kitchen from the counter so unless she’s hiding in the back office, she’s not there.

“Low!” I call into the night. A couple walking by scoffs at me as I catch their ear but I don’t care. “Willow!” I call again, my voice more demanding. More urgent.

“She’s not inside.” Damien appears beside me, exiting through the restaurant door. “I asked Anita to check the kitchen.” Glancing down, I notice Damien has her brown scarf in his hand and it twists my insides. “She left this, so she can’t be too far.” I hope he’s right.

“Willow!” I call again, Damien ushering me down the sidewalk, his hand on my back. He keeps me close and that keeps me warm, but not as warm as knowing my little sister is safe.

We check the alley behind Anansi’s before we head to the mall. Hell, we even check the train station but I don’t see my little sister anywhere. I’m antsy as fuck, biting the inside of my cheek. “She’s not picking up,” I say for the umpteenth time. I don’t know how many times I’ve called her at this point. “We can’t leave without her.”

“We won’t,” Damien reassures, his cold hand in mine. “Even if it takes all night.”

I hate that he says that. I’m hoping that it doesn’t.

We spend the next couple of hours strolling around The Grove’s rocky streets and unkempt sidewalks but we still haven’t seen her.

“I don’t get it, we were only gone for an hour,” I hear myself as we pass a rundown convenience store. Then my brain starts rifling through all the things that could’ve happened in that time. I’d never forgive myself if anything happened to her while I was having “happy hour” with Damien.

My ears are damn near frostbitten when I start pacing the sidewalks. I wasn’t prepared for this winter outing physically or emotionally. I’m shivering and it’s not only because I’m cold. I’m anxious as hell.

“Hey.” Damien takes me between his palms rubbing my arms over my jacket. He searches my eyes and doesn’t stop turning me to him until he has my full attention. “I got this.” His voice is firm. Strong. As hard as his hold. “I’m getting us a room here, then I’m gonna find her.”

“I’ll come with you,” I say.

“No,” he insists. “It’ll be easier if I go alone and she needs a place to come back to if she checks her messages. Trust me. If coming here didn’t show you that you can—”

Wait. “You know I came here for you?”

“And that’s why I trust you,” he says, looking over his shoulder. He gestures towards a motel at the end of the street. The light flickers, “Vacancy” flashing in red. “C’mon.”

I follow his lead and after a quick chat with the owner, Damien rents the best room this motel has, which isn’t saying much. The hotels near the airport cater to businessmen while the ones deep in The Grove cater to their extra-curricular activities.

When we get inside, it’s exactly what I expect. Wallpaper strips off yellowing walls, stains on the vomit green carpet. The paper-like blankets on the bed look like they’re from 1990, red and odd patterned. Silver lining? It’s warmer than outside. And as Damien says, at least Willow will know where to go.

After Damien checks the bathroom like a skilled bodyguard, he approaches me, my cheeks between his palms. His lips come crashing down on mine and my jaw softens, body loosening. Damien’s hold is the only thing that calms me and it’s as if he knows it too. He keeps his hands on my face, his striking eyes piercing through me. “If anyone even sneezes at the door that’s not me or Willow, you call me right away. Understand?”

“Okay,” I nod. I’m much too emotional, much too unstable and I’m too scared to say anything else.

He takes my hands before something cold and smooth lands in my hold. When I look down, it’s his black wallet. “All my cards are there if you need anything. I have copies on my phone.”

Nodding, I’m scared to let go when he gives me another kiss, his lips smooth, his taste coming with a hint of the meal we shared. I take in a whiff of his smell as he heads towards the door, walking with confidence like my knight. My hero. My king. Watching his back disappear through the door, he takes a look behind him, pulling my heart out with that steely gaze. I don’t take my eyes off him until the door closes and in seconds, I’m pacing again. Questions flash in and out of my brain like a lightning storm.

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