Page 72 of Brutal Ice

The phone rang. A loud jangle of sound. The ringtone she’d assigned to Violet long ago. The cry of the phone shocked Simone, and she jerked. The blade sliced over her neck. A gasp broke from her at the pain, but then she was grabbing for the phone and ignoring the knife. Or trying to ignore the knife. “It’s Violet!” The screen had lit up. Violet’s picture smiled back at her. “I’ll get her! I’ll get her!”

“Say exactly what I tell you.” A low order. “Or I will cut you from ear to ear.”

Three thirteen a.m. A call that late was never a good sign. Violet gripped the phone tightly in her hand as she called Simone back.

One ring.

Two.

Three—

“Violet?” Simone’s voice.

Violet’s breath shuddered out in relief. “I was so scared something had happened to you!” Another long exhale. “I was worried?—”

“Violet, I need you to come meet me.”

Violet blinked. “Now?”

“Yes, right now. Now. I’m in trouble, and I’m scared, and I-I need you.”

Violet spun toward the doorway. Still no sign of Royal. “What’s happening?”

“Micah…got rough. Crazy. I’m…I’m afraid, Violet. Come get me. Please. Please, come get me.”

She put the phone on the bed and turned on the speaker so that she could ditch the gown and throw on real clothes and underwear. “Give me the address. Royal and I will be right there.”

“No!”

Violet stilled with the jeans half-way up her legs. “No?”

“The cops came back,” Simone said quickly. “That detective. He told me things about Royal. Royal is dangerous, Violet.”

She jerked up the jeans. Hauled on a bra and her top and toed into her flats.

“You can’t trust him,” Simone continued with her voice breaking. “You…you aren’t with him right now, are you?”

“I’m at his house.”

“Get out of there!” A fierce demand. “Get in your car and come meet me. We’re both in danger. Ah!”

Violet swiped up the phone. “Are you okay?”

“N-no…” A gasp. “Micah dropped me off…middle of nowhere. My phone battery is dying, and I don’t know how long the call will last. I need you, Violet.”

“My car isn’t here.” Was it still at the theater? Or had Royal gotten the vehicle taken to her house? Her temples throbbed. “I have to tell him. I need his car?—”

“Just take the keys!” A screech. “Violet, Violet, I’m desperate. If you don’t get here…I-I’m dead.” A quick gasp. “I just need you.”

Violet grabbed her bag. She shoved her new knife inside it and then spun for the door. She rushed forward and nearly slammed straight into Royal. He filled the doorway, broad shoulders stretching to nearly rub the wood on either side of him. Surprised, she staggered to a stop. The phone was still on speaker. Still clutched in her hand. Violet knew he’d heard everything.

So why was he blocking her path? They needed to go.

Violet began, “Royal is?—”

“You can’t tell him!” Simone cried out, her words cutting through Violet’s sentence.

Because Violet had intended to say…Royal is right here. He can hear you.

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