Page 122 of Brutal King

He wraps it around his midsection, more’s the pity, and says, “Don’t call him. He has no way of knowing where we are.”

“Except he does.” I thrust my fingers through my hair and begin to pace. “Gunn, if he really wants to, he’ll find us.”

“You’re not ready, Scar.”

“It doesn’t matter.”

“Fine. Call him,” he says. “Whatever the fuck he wants,I’lldo it.”

I nod. He’s right. I’m not ready to fight again. I barely started therapy and the health center and we were going to get a kitten! But I can’t go back on my word.

Hitting the unknown number, I dial him. He answers on the first ring. “Scarlet.”

“Why are you calling me from this number?” I demand.

“I don’t have access to my phone.” He sounds winded.

“What’s wrong?”

“Is Gunn with her?” I hear someone in the background.

“Who is that?” I ask.

“Is Gunner with you?”

I turn to Gunn and put the phone on speaker. “Yes.”

“Good,” Gideon says. “Your boyfriend is being called in too.”

“No, he isn’t.”

Gunn checks his cell. His eyes widen and he lifts it for me to see. It’s a message from Luca.

Luca: We need your help. Stephen Black has Sofia.

It’s as if the floor is yanked out from under me. I wobble on my feet. Gunn’s strong arms come around me as instant support. He assists me to the couch and sits beside me.

“Stephen? What? I don’t understand.” I rub a hand over my heart, willing it to slow down.

“He’s alive, Scar. All these years, he’s been alive. And now he has Sofia.”

I can hardly breathe as I think of the man that terrified me. The only one capable of hurting Gideon. “Where is he?”

“Kingsbrook. He attacked the manor and tried to kill me. Itsuki helped me get out of there. He’s the only reason I made it to Briar House.”

“Itsuki is with you?”

Gideon remains quiet long enough that I know what he’s going to say before he says it. “He’s dead.”

A sob wells up in my throat and I have to cup my mouth to hold it in.

Gunn snatches the phone from me. “Who’s there now.”

“Arran and Noah have just arrived,” Luca interjects, obviously also on speaker. “Rowan and Gavin are on their way. We just need you.”

“I’ll be there, but Scar is staying home. It’s too soon for her?—”

I touch Gunn’s hand to stop him. “I’ll be there too.”

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