Page 84 of Love and War

“Who, Killian?” Z asked me. Right, right, who took her?

“Devil, I think. No, it was. I told her to call me when she got there and when she was leaving. Sh–she was at the car when he took her.” Shaking my head, I couldn’t believe I just let her go to the store by herself. I knew I should have gone. I told her I wanted to go with, but I let her convince me.

“How do you know this hitman took her? Could it have been The Butcher?” Salem said. I watched as she walked over to the freezer, pulling out a bag of peas.

Shaking my head, I said, “No. It was him, she, fuck. When she called me after leaving, the phone had been knocked down.”

“Here.” Looking up, Salem handed me the bag of peas. Awkwardly taking them from her, I placed the frozen bag against my cheek. Hissing from the contact, I hadn’t realized how fucked my face was.

“Her accident was him, he tried killing her then. Then somehow found her again and took her outside the grocery store.”

Z stood up, helping me off the ground. Salem leaned into Zane while his arms wrapped around her. It was making me sick. I needed her back. She was a piece of me and now it was missing.

“Alright, where do we begin?” Salem asked, glancing between us. Why did I suddenly have no idea what to do? I was used to this; I could hack into systems. I could find anyone, but my brain wasn’t working, and I was useless now. “And while we figure this out, who the fuck are you?” She swung her attention towards Z.

Z ignored her and continued staring at me. It was odd and slightly uncomfortable with him being here.

“Killian, who is this?” Zane finally asked.

Letting out a sigh, I rolled my eyes. “Zane, Salem, this is Z. Z this is Zane and Salem,” I said, motioning between them.

“Z, what kind of fucking name is that?” Zane muttered.

I shouldn’t have laughed, but fuck it felt good. Aziza was the only one who got away calling Z by his name. And getting away with making fun of him for going by Z.

“Okay, step one. Killian get your equipment. Zane yo—”

Salem was cut off from someone's phone going off. Glancing around, Salem pulled her phone out.

“Hello? Wait, what?” Her eyes widened. I didn’t know what was happening, but whatever it was, was important. “Yes, yes. Okay, I’m on my way.” Hanging up, she nodded towards me.

“They found her, she’s at the hospital.”

37

Aziza

Fuck.

Everything hurt.

Why did everything hurt again?

I groaned, trying to shake my head but a splitting headache caused me to cry out. Tears pricked my eyes. My vision blurred as I opened my eyes, but everything hurt.

I tried bringing my hand to my head, but I couldn’t move. Trying my other hand, nothing. Deciding to try and lift my foot, nothing happened either. My heart pounded against my chest as I realized I was tied down to a very cold table. My stomach rolled when I felt the cold breeze against my skin.

I was naked.

I was completely naked and strapped down. Trying to move my head over, something pinched the back of my neck. Not allowing me to do that either.

“Shhh,” a girl’s voice appeared next to me. But I couldn’t look over. “Just do what he says, remember just do what he says.” She rushed out before a door slammed.

“GET AWAY FROM HER!” That voice, that voice was so familiar. I just couldn’t place it.

My vision was still blurry, but I tried to listen for any movement. I didn’t have to wait long before I felt something sharp and cold against my chest.

I tried holding in my whimper as he pressed hard against me.

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