Page 40 of Property of Azrael

“Sorry, sugar, but I don’t know. Van was off doing Van things while we were at the event today. I’m sure once he knows something, he’ll tell ya.”

A loud bang from the hallway has Fox stiffening, his eyes darting toward the door until it goes quiet. Settling into his chair, he goes back to texting. His reaction isn’t helping my anxiety. The way his body goes rigid at every noise coming from outside. How important his phone seems to be. Could they be getting ready for the trip? Absolutely. But if that’s what they’re doing, there’s no reason to exclude me from the process.

A loud knock at the door has Fox and I both stiffening. Getting to his feet, he moves cautiously toward the door and peers through the peephole. His body instantly relaxes.

“Dinner’s here.” He lets the waiter into the room, giving the guy just enough space to set the food down before ushering him out.

It smells heavenly, but I can’t focus on it. Not when Fox is on high alert. I know he’s hiding something. I may not live the lifestyle, but I know a club issue when I see one, and Fox is a walking, talking red flag that something is amiss. Something Azrael doesn’t want me to know about. Something bad enough to have Fox here, keeping Eden and me safe.

“What’s going on, Fox?”

He goes to respond, but Eden steps out of the bathroom, making her grand entrance, and giving him the distraction he needs. She’s not in normal pajamas. No, not Eden. Instead, she’s wearing a tulle sheer with ruffles and a wide ribbon tie around her waist. A small, baby pink negligee peeks through from underneath. Her ensemble is enough to drag Fox’s attention away from me and his phone.

I’ve lost him.

“Is the food here? I’m starving. And you and I, sweets, have Azrael to talk about.”

AZRAEL

“How are we playing this, Prez?”O asks as we arrive at the location. A couple of calls to some friends from another local club led us to our location. One they’d recommended for a quiet place to work, and far enough away from the beaten path to finish this without an audience. My phone buzzes in my pocket. I pull it out and see a message from Hallie.

You okay?

I don’t reply. It pains me to shut her out, but I can’t answer right now. Not until this is done. Not until she’s safe.

Placing it back in my pocket, I look at what we have to work with. It’s not much. A rusty warehouse that hasn’t seen the light of day for the last twenty years. An old canning factory, according to the guys. The building is only standing because of a leasing disagreement between the company and the city who wanted to buy it.

“Find someplace to get setup. Keep it clean and neat. Easy enough to clean up once we’re done.”

The guys fan out, setting the stage for what’s coming. It takes about an hour before we’re ready to go. We just need the star of the show, and Van is taking care of that.

My phone buzzes with another text. This time, it’s Fox.

You guys good?

Fine. Package is on its way.

Let me know when you’re on your way back. Your girl is getting antsy. Keeps asking me if I’ve heard from you.

“What’s wrong”? Asher asks when he notices me frowning down at the phone.

“Hallie’s suspicious that something’s going on. “

“Fox can barely control his dick. Trusting him to keep his mouth shut may not have been your best idea.”

“Yeah, well, he was the best option I had.”

Asher steps closer, the moonlight illuminating his features. Dark rings mar his eyes. He hasn’t been sleeping again. This time of year has always been rough on him, but never like this. It’s why I wanted us to get away for a change, away from the place she died, and where a piece of him died with her.

“You good, brother?”

“I will be once this asshole and his entire club is dead.” Asher’s deep tone is like a dark promise. A vow of revenge not yet fulfilled.

“Soon, Ash. Let’s start with him and see what he can tell us.”

We’re finishing up when a text comes in from Van.

Package is here.

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