Page 26 of The High Priestess

Fuck!

The shock, panic, and fear hitting me make my head spin, and it feels like I’m stuck in a dryer. When I swing around to try and make a run for it, my legs give way, and I go down like a ton of bricks.

Knight’s arm shoots around my back, and I’m yanked against his solid chest. The next second, I’m swung up into his arms, and he carries me over to a couch where he sets me down.

Without saying anything, he heads back to the kitchen, and it’s only then I see the magazine and gun lying on the floor. The man disarmed me, released the magazine, and caught me mid-fall. All in a matter of seconds.

Holy shit!

He picks up the weapon and loads the magazine again, then he proceeds to walk back to me, where he places the gun on the armrest.

“Did you want something in the kitchen?” he asks, not looking bothered by the altercation at all.

I swallow hard, my throat bone dry. “Water.”

I watch as he goes to grab a bottle from the fridge. He brings it to me and even twists off the cap before holding the bottle out for me to take.

My eyes are locked on Knight as I take it from him, and while I swallow a few sips, my mind races to make sense of the man.

His unnerving gaze meets mine, and for a moment, we stare at each other.

I’m surprised when he says, “You don’t have to be scared of me.”

A frown quickly forms on my forehead, and I place the bottle on the coffee table. When I stand up, I grab my gun and lift my chin. I inject authority into my voice as I say, “I’m not scared of you.”

Stepping around Knight, I tuck my gun back into the waistband of my pants while I leave my house. I cross the bridge and walk the short distance to the entrance of the main building.

I focus on taking deep breaths and try to ignore the pain throbbing throughout my body.

Just get through the meeting. You need to know where you stand with the other four.

Once inside the building, I push the button to call the elevator, and when the doors open, Knight steps into the small space with me.

“You’re not coming to the meeting,” I mutter.

From the corner of my eye, I see him nod.

The elevator comes to a stop on the top floor, and when I exit it, I lift my chin and brace for the worst.

I have money. If the alliance kicks me to the side, I’ll have to make a run for it and go into hiding while trying to assess the damage done to the organization.

Jesus. It will be impossible to take my organization back while hiding like some coward.

My mind is inundated with an endless list of things to do as I walk into the room that has a round table situated in the middle surrounded by five leather chairs. Monitors cover the walls.

Enzo, Leo, and Santiago are already seated. Dominik is standing with a phone in his hand, quickly typing on it.

“Come sit, Cassia,” Leo says, pulling my attention away from Dominik.

I walk to one of the open chairs, and taking a seat at the table, I pray to all that’s holy they can’t see my fear.

I struggle to keep my spine straight because it makes the throbbing worse in my lower back.

My eyes flick over the men, and I suck in a deep breath before saying, “Let’s get started.”

Leo frowns at me, then glances at the other men before looking back at me again. “Should you be out of the hospital?”

I resist the urge to wipe the sweat from my forehead. “I’m fine.”

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