Page 10 of Oathbreaker

We pull out onto the main road. Leo taps the brakes but doesn’t stop for the right turn.

Rio has always been more than Winter’s driver and protection detail—he’s the head of our security team. While we assembled a crew to attend the party tonight, we left Rio behind to monitor everything at Amelia Manor.

“Checking now, boss,” Rio says over the line. He sounds alert, serious. And he should be—any fuck-ups security-wise are on his head.

My palms itch as my anger rises.

Leo pulls out of the spot, and we head toward the interstate entrance.

I check my messages to Winter.

The last two say “delivered,” not read.

“Leo.” Dread sits like a stone in my stomach.

He grips the steering wheel with tight fists—his knuckles blanch.

“Boss, his beacon is stationary. Jose’s stopped on some back road. Southbound.”

I pull up the GPS location app for Winter’s phone and push back the tinge of guilt cropping up. I haven’t told her I installed the tech, but I don’t consider it a violation. It’s my way of keeping her safe. I haven’t used it beyond checking the set-up weeks ago.

This is why she wants space. You’re running all over her.

I refresh the screen on my phone, pure terror filling all the empty spaces within my body.

Location: Not Found

I should have put a tracker in her. I should have—I’d know where she is right now.

There’s commotion over the line as other voices join and doors slam.

“Send me the location you have now,” Leo commands.

“Sent,” Rio says half a second after Leo’s edict leaves his lips. The map pulls up on the screen in the center console. “I have confirmation that Ella and August are back at Amelia Manor with Rex and Jared,” Rio adds.

I tap to call Winter, and when she doesn’t answer, I call her again.

And again.

And again, and again, and again?—

“Winter’s not answering her phone, Rio. I can’t find her location. Do you have her location?” The side buttons leave deep indents in my flesh as I grasp the device in a tight fist.

Anxiety is a noose around my neck.

Tighter.

Tighter.

“Working on it,” Rio says. His voice is sharp, brittle. Crackling comes over the line, and then his voice is clearer. He put on a headset.

“Max,” Rio yells, and Max’s voice sounds far away from the microphone.

Rio gives tense orders to Max, who makes an affirmative noise in response.

“Rio! Do you see Winter’s location?” I repeat, pressing every word through tingling lips.

“No,” he snaps, “I’m trying to figure out what the fuck happened.” There’s silence over the line for a beat.

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