Page 555 of Dark Love

My phonerings.

That’s Dahlia. Everyone else with that number is in this building. A grin spreads across my face as I lift the phone to my ear. “Hey, Dahl.”

“Mr. um…Vex?”

That is not Dahlia. I check the number that called. It’s Dahlia’s phone number. “Who is this? Where is Dahlia?” The voice sounds familiar but I can’t quite place it.

“My name is Mindy.” Her voice wavers. “I work with Dahlia.”

Mindy? Dahlia’s almost work friend. She just stopped talking. I want to shake some answers out of her, but I can’t do that on the phone. “Did something happen to Dahlia? Was she hurt?”

“Yes. No. Sort of. Adonis is taking care of her.”

And now I want to murder someone, but that will have to wait. “Is he taking her to the hospital?”

“No. No. It’s nothing like that. She’s in the break room crying. She keeps asking for you.”

“I’m coming to get her now. Call me if something changes.” I click off the phone. “Payne, I need you to drive.”

“On it.” His eyes move to Imogene. “Should I see if Immie can stay with Barb?”

Dahlia is crying. She might need a woman. Even thinking that feels wrong, but it’s not about me. “Bring her. Dahlia might need her.”

Payne walks over to Imogene and scoops her up off the couch.

She pulls her earbud out. “What’s going on?”

“Dahlia is in trouble.”

With that, we run down the steps and out of the club into Payne’s car. Ignoring the unmarked vehicle waiting for us to use to rescue Marlie. She will just have to wait.

There is nothing and no one more important than Dahlia.

It’s the longest drive of my life even though Payne ignores the speed limit and most laws.

I jump out of the car even before it stops in front of the government building.

Adonis steps out the door, holding Dahlia in his arms.

He’s dead. I’m going to kill him. Tear him limb from limb.

My beautiful Dahlia is a small mass in his arms. Her hair is mussed, and her face is hidden against his chest.

WHAT HAPPENED TO HER?

“Give her to me.” I don’t wait for him, but reach out and carefully take her from his arms.

“Vex. I want Vex,” Dahlia whispers.

“I’m right here, Dahl. You’re safe.” I squeeze her tight.

“He’s going to hurt her. He’s going to hurt me.”

“No one will ever hurt you.” That is a vow I’m going to keep.

But I can’t just walk away with Adonis staring at her like he owns her. I lean over and whisper in his ear. “If you ever touch my woman again, you won’t have hands to touch anything else.”

Then I stand upright and say, “Thank you for taking care of her.”

---