Page 112 of The Eleventh Hour

My throat swells closed with fear. They drug my baby brother to get information about me? Jesus, how can I ever tell him that? I go to rush past, but Astaire grabs my wrist.

“Jax-” He closes his eyes while mine go wide as saucers. “Jax, be careful, I’m hearing talk. A lot of it, and your name in a lot of mouths where it don’t belong.”

I nod slowly. He knows who I am, has always known who I am. I see that truth now. Astaire knows I’m Jackie Blackwell and Louis’ fiancée, and he never said a word or treated me differently. I pat the hand that holds me still. I make a move to go past and change my mind, flinging myself into his arms and hugging him hard before abruptly letting go and entering the club.

There’s no need for more words than that.

My heart’s racing, and adrenaline has set my senses on fire. The sounds are too loud; the scents are strong and acrid, each flash of strobing light is far too bright. I’m acutely aware of Dane and Rafe just behind me, walking so close the heat of their chests warms my back.

I should feel safe, but my stomach is writhing like I have a ball of snakes inside. This feels wrong. I’ve missed something. I should go back, turn back. Change our plans, but Jacob Keylore used to be my friend, and his wife will be…I squeeze my eyes closed. I can’t save her, but I can be a witness. I can try to stop him. I’m the only one who can.

No one else understands Louis the way I do.

As soon as I think that thought, my body tightens. Oh, no. I exhale and am dismayed to hear a tiny keening come out. Panic locks my limbs. I look around at all the people. People I know, people I suspect.

I’m not here as a witness. This isn’t about getting my attention. It’s a trap. I’ve just walked into one of Louis’ famous staged affairs. If he wanted to publicly ruin someone, he would stage a gathering of their closest family and friends and use the scraps of information he’d gathered through bribery, blackmail, or extortion, wait until the moment when he had the most to gain, and then rip your world apart. I had found it endearing once upon a time. He only did it to people who deserved it.

Who is Louis trying to punish tonight?

I hope it's someone else, but…lessons. He liked to teach me lessons. Tiny games of humiliation, putting me in my place. I think I’m the target here. I’ve done the wrong thing. This is a correction.

I spot River and jump in his direction, pushing through the crowd of people until I’m pressed up against his side.

“River, what are you doing here?”

“Having fun!” River shouts in my ear. “You know, that stuff I’m not allowed to have because everyone in our family keeps so many secrets we might accidentally spill the truth.”

I jerk back from him, stunned. “River.”

His cheeks flush. “Just give me one night, Jax.”

I shake my head. “I can’t. Not here. You have to get them out. You have to go.”

He grunts and slams his fist on the bar, rattling several drinks. “I’m not going anywhere. I’m having fun tonight. That’s what I’m doing.”

People crash into me, and I fight to keep my spot beside River. I spot Mason dragging Andy and Stevie back towards the bar. They both look drunk already.

“This is going to be bad,” I shout to Rafe and Dane. “It’s going to be really bad.”

Dane opens his mouth but freezes when Titan stands on the bar and lifts a microphone to his mouth.

“Ladies and Gents, I want to thank you for coming here tonight.” He lifts a hand to his thinning hair and swipes at the sweat. His eyes look wet and full of tears. “This is, uh, well, unexpected, but I’ve decided it’s the best we can do tonight.”

I frown. His clothes look like he hasn’t changed in days. He’s lost weight. He looks scared. I glance around, the crowd is captivated, and all around are faces I recognise.

“Yeah, I don’t suppose that makes sense. I just…tell my parents I love them.”

My eyes widen, I can’t look away.

He finds me, picks me out in the crowd. “The eleventh hour is upon you, Jojo.”

Blood drains from my head.

“I’m a rapist and a murderer, and I’m the Black Dahlia Killer.” A body that’s been suspended from the ceiling drops down. Flinging towards the screaming crowd, only to be pulled up short. I only have a moment to see that it’s Martha before Titan lifts a gun to his temple and pulls the trigger.

Oh, no.

The screaming is deafening, but in my head, there is only white noise. Louis has…game, set, match. Descario and Wayland are already pulling the gun away from his body. I get a quick look at the blood, so much blood, before I’m forcibly turned away.

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