Page 46 of Sold on Them

That’s Carlos Alvarez, Santos’s second. He shouldn’t be there. He shouldn’t know who they are. What is he doing there? How did he find them?

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

“I don’t know who you’re talking about. If you’re talking about the men from the hotel this weekend, the two of us were purchased at an auction. We were brought to the hotel for sex—that’s it. You’ve got this all wrong.”That’s Damon, his voice flat and calm. If I didn’t know better, I’d think he was telling the truth.

Carlos’s scoff carries through the phone.“I would’ve believed that if one of my men hadn’t found these photos. They’re old, but it’s clearly the two of you and Hilton.”

Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

“Take a deep breath, Parker,” Royce urges me, taking the phone from my now shaking hand. “We’ll listen for clues, and then we’ll figure out where to go from there. Cormac—“

“Already on it.” Cormac takes the next exit and gets us turned around until we’re heading back toward Detroit.

“Nothing to say to that? No more lies you want to tell?”Carlos’s laughter has me balling my hands.

This is what I didn’t want to happen. Damon and Mackenzie should never have found themselves wrapped up in the mess I found myself in.

“What do you want from us?”Mackenzie’s voice shakes a little as she speaks, making me grimace. She must be so fucking scared right now.

“I don’t really want anything from you, but I can use you to get what I want—Hilton. I’d say I’m sorry about this, but I’m really not.”

I tense at Carlos’s words, wondering what he’s getting ready to do. When Mackenzie’s scream reaches my ears, tears spill over my cheeks. It’s quickly followed by Damon’s roar, and then the sound of struggles before everything goes quiet.

What did he do to them? What is happening there right now?

“Oh, what do we have here?”Carlos laughs, the sound followed by movement before he speaks directly into the phone,“Parker Hilton, just the man I’m looking for. As I’m sure you realize by now, I have these two. If you’re half as smart as you think you are, I’m sure you can find us. Just know that they’re going to pay for what you’ve done until you turn yourself over. This is the end of the line, Hilton.”

“You better not hurt them,” I yell, unsure if he can hear me.

Royce shakes his head at me before swiping his hand in front of his neck, telling me to stop. I knew better than to say anything, but I couldn’t help myself. He has Damon and Mackenzie in his grasp. The things he’ll do to them… I can’t stomach even thinking about it.

“We both know I’m going to hurt them, and I’m going to enjoy it. The sooner you turn yourself over, the sooner their pain can end. I’ll see you soon, Hilton.”

The call drops, and I roar in frustration.

“Parker, I know you’re angry, frustrated, and terrified—I get it. I am too. But you’ve got to get yourself under control.” Royceturns the phone off and tosses it to the floor before turning around to face me. “We have to come at this with clear minds. We can’t let emotion overcome us, or we’ll do something stupid. Remember your training.”

Swiping at the tears still falling, I swear. “I know. I know. It’s just… I can’t… They…”

“He needs you, Royce,” Cormac says, eyes flashing up to the rearview mirror for a moment before returning to the road. “Climb into the back with him. He needs to let all this shit out, so he can get his shit together. We still have at least another hour, if not more, until we make it back to Detroit. We all need to have our heads on straight by then.”

Royce hums, pulling off his seatbelt before somehow maneuvering his big body between the seats and into the backseat with me. His arms immediately wrap around me, pulling me into his chest.

“Let it out, Park. Rid yourself of those emotions,” Cormac demands. “Because as soon as we’re back in Detroit, we get back to work. Wewillfind them, and maybe we’ll be able to get some information on who the hell framed you in the process. Two birds, one stone, and all that shit.”

A laugh spills from me as I cling to Royce’s shirt, allowing my tears to fall freely.

Carlos already has his hands on them, so there’s nothing I can do about that. Even if it’s completely my fault.

But my guilt won’t help find them. Neither will my fear. Or my anger. Only a clear head will do that—just as Royce and Cormac said.

For now, I allow myself to fall apart in the arms of my lover. I can take this moment to lose it, but that’s all I can spare. Because we will be getting them back, and then I will never let them go again.

Closing my eyes, my emotions rush through me in a jumble. I let myself feel all of them without trying to process them. Fear. Anger. Guilt.

It’s almost overwhelming how much I’m feeling but as my tears slow, I can feel them falling away one by one. I’m not sure how long it takes, but eventually, I pull away from Royce and nod. I can’t completely suppress my emotions—they’re still there, just not as overwhelming.

This is the headspace I need to be in.

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