Page 53 of From the Ashes

She’s pissed. Understandably so. But I fucking miss her.

For the first time in my life, I find myself wanting to lean on someone, and the fact we drove her away is weighing heavily on me.

Davenport stands, and I shrink back into the corner of the booth. I’m not so naive to think he doesn’t know I’m here. His security out front would have told him the second I pulled up outside, but I don’t want him to think I want to speak to him, because I sure as hell don’t. Not after him and Caleb threatened Camilla.

Any hesitation about my dad flew out the window when I realized he had shown up at Hills Global to threaten my woman, because it confirmed what everyone else knew. He was responsible for the attempts on her life.

A large figure appears beside the table, and as my eyes track up a perfectly fitted charcoal suit, the irritation grinds down on me until I meet his dark, soulless eyes.

“Davenport,” I grunt, downing what’s left of my drink.

“What are you doing here, Kaos?” He leans both palms on the table in an attempt to intimidate me. The fact I’m nearly twice his size takes away any possibility of that.

“Spot check,” I reply immediately. “Making sure none of the girls here are underage or here against their will.”

“And you can tell that by sitting here in this dark corner?” He raises a brow. Normally we just stroll right in and start speaking to staff members, so his question isn’t out of line, but I’m not going to admit that to him.

“If they don’t know I’m here, they don’t know to lie or be on their best behavior.” I shrug.

He considers me for long moments before he slips into the other side of the table, waving at the waitress to bring him a drink. “What are you really doing here, Kaos? You can’t bullshit a bullshitter.”

“I already told you. It’s your prerogative whether you believe me or not.” I reach into my pocket and pull a few bills out. More than enough to cover my drink and a generous tip for making the waitress go out of her way to make sure I wasn’t poisoned by the asshole sitting across from me. “I should get going. I’ll see you next week at the monthly meeting.”

I shove myself to my feet and take two steps toward the exit before his hand shoots out and grabs my wrist. “It’s not too late to change sides. I know your father would love to have you.”

It takes me a few beats to process what he’s saying, and then a laugh booms from my chest. “If you think I’m going to betray the people who were there for me after Caleb faked his death and made us all believe Bianca killed him when he’s the one that forced her to pull the trigger, you’ve got another thing coming.”

Surprise flashes through his eyes, but they quickly darken as anger flicks into view. “Ah yes, speaking of whores you share, have you seen Camilla this evening?” The question may seem innocent to some, but it’s the way it’s posed that makes my chest tighten to the point of pain.

“What have you done?” I growl.

“Oh, I haven’t done anything. Your dad, though? I can’t be so sure.”

Before I’ve even made a conscious decision, I’m sprinting toward the exit. I need to get to the De Marco estate right this fucking second.

Rationally, I know she was with Bishop and Crew at the Scarlet Lounge a few hours ago, and the plan was for them to take her back to the compound afterward, but I won’t risk her. Not when she’s come to mean so much to each of us.

The car is in motion seconds after I pull the door open, and then I reach for my phone, quickly dialing Bishop. Each ring feels longer than the last as I run through two red lights, ignoring the horns blaring at me.

I take a corner too quickly, and the car almost spins out, but I quickly right the SUV and try Crew next.

“Kaos, where the hell are you?” he asks.

“Is Camilla still with you?”

“No, she went back to the estate to pack her stuff. We’re bringing her home tomorrow. Why?”

“I think Caleb’s going after her.”

He curses, and the sound of his heavy footfall fills the line as I take another turn toward the bridge. Why the hell does the estate have to be so far out of the city?

“I’m grabbing Bishop, and we’ll be on our way there too.”

I throw my phone onto the passenger seat and run a hand through my hair. Before she walked into our lives, I didn’t know what panic felt like, but I sure as hell do now.

CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

CAMILLA

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