Page 276 of By His Rule

Fuck’s sake.

I hate this. I really fucking hate this.

Only a few more months and they can all get out of this shithole and start over somewhere better.

“I can go to the store,” Noelle offers.

Before Hendrix or I get a chance to respond, Wilder begins rattling off a shopping list.

He really must be feeling better.

After forcing Noelle to take my credit card to pay for it all, I get settled on Hendrix’s bed so that we can keep Wilder awake.

I suck in a breath and look at the two of them.

“I love you both,” I say honestly, “and I’m so fucking proud of you.”

65

KIAN

“Kian,” Tate complains. “I’m not telling you where she is.”

My teeth grind in irritation. I haven’t seen or heard a peep from Lorelei since the moment she fled from my office like her ass was on fire on Friday night.

It’s now Sunday, and I’m losing my fucking mind.

She told me that she felt it. She agreed that there was something between us, and then she just fucking ran.

I comb my fingers through my hair and drag it back until it hurts.

I have never, ever lost my mind like this over a woman. I’m usually glad when they leave…

After spending longer than I’m willing to confess knocking on her front door and calling for her loudly enough that her neighbor came out to see what the fuck was going on, I finally gave up and called Thomas.

It took some convincing, but eventually, he gave me the master key to her apartment.

I was terrified when I let myself in. I knew it was unlikely, but the thought of finding her dead was a constant concern that I couldn’t banish.

Thankfully, that wasn’t what I found inside her quiet apartment. Unfortunately, I also didn’t find the woman who had escaped my clutches.

The only thing I knew for sure was that she was trying to outrun what we’d found.

She’s scared. I fucking get that.

I’m scared, too.

But I’m not so scared that I’m going to run away from this. Run away from her.

For the first time in my life, I want to embrace it. I want to jump in with both feet and see where it takes me.

Of all the women I’ve met over the years who were so desperate to start up something serious with me, the one I decide I want to see where things go with is the one who’d rather leave town—assuming she has—than face me when shit gets real.

“Tatum, this isn’t fucking funny. She’s been gone all weekend,” I sneer, my fists curling.

“I know, Kian. I fucking know that she’s been gone all weekend. But she specifically asked me not to tell you where she is. I’m not breaking her trust in me. Not now, not ever.”

“So you have spoken to her?”

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