Page 58 of Echoes of Desire

“Why?” Blaze asks, sitting up. “What’s going on?”

“Knox is missing.”

The tension in the room spikes instantly. Blaze’s expression hardens, and my grip on Raven tightens instinctively as if holding her close can somehow anchor me against the storm that’s brewing.

“Missing?” Blaze growls, already on his feet. “What the fuck do you mean, missing?”

“Where’s Taylor?” I ask.

“Dead.”

“Not if I have anything to do with it,” I hear Doc say. He must have taken control of Venom.

“What the fuck happened?” I shout. “Get dressed, baby.”

“I don’t know, brother,” Ghost says. “Reynolds heard a gunshot and rushed over to find Knox missing and Taylor with a fucking bullet in his chest. He’s securing his family in the panic room and heading this way.”

“Got it,” Doc says. “The bullet’s out, and the bleeding has stopped. It missed his heart. He’s going to be fine but pissed. Best get his boy back before he wakes up.”

“Thank fuck,” I sigh. “We’re on our way. Be there in ten.”

The call ends abruptly, leaving a heavy silence in its wake. The only sound is Raven’s quickened breathing, her wide eyes darting between us.

“Knox…” she starts, her voice trembling, “he’ll be okay, right? You’ll find him?”

Blaze crouches in front of her, his hands resting on her knees as he looks her dead in the eye. “We’ll find him, baby. I promise.”

I nod, my voice steady despite the chaos churning inside me. “No one messes with one of ours. Knox will come home.”

Raven’s hands tremble as she reaches out, gripping Blaze’s arms. “What do you think happened to him?”

Blaze and I exchange looks. Neither of us wants to speculate out loud, but we both know the possibilities are grim.

“We’ll know soon,” Blaze says firmly, standing and placing a hand on her shoulder. “Stay here, sweetheart. Don’t leave. We’ll call you as soon as we know anything.”

“No,” she says, shaking her head vehemently. “I’m coming with you.”

“Raven,” I start, but she cuts me off with a glare that’s all fire and determination.

“Don’t even try to argue with me,” she snaps, her voice shaking but resolute. “He’s my friend too. I’m not sitting here waiting to hear if he’s okay. I’m coming.”

Blaze sighs, running a hand through his hair. “She’s not going to back down,” he mutters.

“Fine,” I say. “But you don’t leave our side. Not for a second.”

“Deal,” she says, standing and grabbing her shoes with more resolve than I’ve ever seen in her.

Blaze grabs his keys, and we head out.

The ride to Taylor’s place is done in silence. Raven sits between us in Blaze’s truck, and I want to comfort her, but my own mind is out of control. So, I hold her hand, taking as much comfort as I’m trying to give.

Someone took our boy. And for that, they fucking die.

“Stay close to us,” I say, my voice firmer than I intend. I can’t risk her getting caught in the crossfire of whatever’s happening. “We’ll figure this out, but you don’t leave our sight.”

Blaze shoots me a look, one that conveys we’re on the same page. Protect Raven at all costs.

We exit the truck and head for the house. The parking lot and the yard are flooded with vehicles and bikes. Everyone is here.

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