Page 76 of Scarlet Angel

“She’ll tell you she’s not an addict. She’ll tell you I’m a control freak.”

“Has she ever overdosed before?”

“Not like this.” I force myself to swallow. She’s going to be all right. “I walked in on her once. Shooting up. I lost it. Ape shit. Drove her to rehab. She claimed she was experimenting. It was nothing to get hung up over.”

I release Scarlet’s hand. Lina had been so angry at me for doubting her. And I’d begun to think I overreacted. Too protective once again. Trust me to cock it up. Too protective. Not protective enough.

“Willow mentioned a club. Said she had to be carried home. That wasn’t like this, though, right?”

“No. That time, I had her blood tested. Leandro De Luca had her drugged. Date rape drug. He knew I was out of the country and I’d send Leo in my place.” My molars grind against each other. “He wanted to find Willow, so he used Lina to track her.”

When those fuckwads drugged her, I should’ve asked the doctor if that would increase her cravings. Is that what did it? Leaning forward, I place my elbows on my knees and rub my temples.

“None of this is your fault.”

I side-eye her. She doesn’t know shit.

“You can’t fight the disease for her.”

I clamp my eyelids closed. This day sure went to hell.

“I’m sure it’s hard for someone like you to hear, but you can’t control everything and everyone.”

It’s the same as what I’d told her last night when she’d drugged me and asked me about the syndicate. I can’t control, but I can influence.

I’ve spent billions engineering the tide. And fuck, this happened right under my nose.

Did all this start with Leandro’s stunt, or was it before?

Amir.He’ll know. I pat my coat, searching for a mobile. Left it in the car.

“I’ll be back,” I announce.

I’m in the hallway when I glance over my shoulder and glimpse her concern.

In three strides, I’m back to her. I lift her and pull her to me, burying my nose in her floral-scented hair.

“Thank you.”

An old chap peers over a magazine from the corner of the room.

Choking back emotion, I press my lips to the top of her head. “I need to make some calls. I’ll be back.”

Alone in the car park, it’s as good a place as any to call Amir.

“You on the lam?”

I flinch at Amir’s carefree tone. Fucking twit.

“I’m at the hospital.”

“Christ. Who’d they send after ya?”

“Lina overdosed.”

“Christ. Is she okay?”

“She will be. Did you go clubbing with her?”

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