Page 83 of The High Priestess

“Cassia,” I call out. When she doesn’t answer me, I rush through the entire suite, checking for her. “Baby!”

A cold sweat breaks out over my body as I run out of the suite and down the hallway. Impatiently, I slam the button to call the elevator while my mind starts conjuring up the worst possible scenarios.

Did someone come in? No, I didn’t hear her scream. She would’ve put up a fight and there was no sign of a struggle.

Fuck.

The doors slide open, and I rush inside, slamming at the button for the first floor.

Images of Cassia being tortured or killed fill my mind, and when the elevator finally opens, I burst out into the lobby with my hand resting on the hilt of my gun behind my back.

My eyes scan the area, and when I see Cassia standing by the concierge’s desk, intense relief and anger pour into my chest.

She’s okay.

No one took her.

I stalk toward her and hear her telling the concierge, “…and I’d like the lemon crème brulee.”

“Will that be everything, Miss Dimitrou? Maybe we could send up a bottle of wine as well?” the concierge says.

“No thanks. Just send extra bottles of water and two orange juices.”

I grab hold of her arm, and she startles while the concierge’s eyes dart to me.

“Oh, hey.” She starts to smile, but seeing the anger on my face, she quickly glances at the man behind the counter. “That will be all. And please remember to send someone up to fix the phone.”

“Will do.”

I pull her away from the counter and drag her ass to the elevators. I press the button and notice my body is shaking violently.

“Knight,” she says, using a soft tone, “what happened?”

I keep quiet so I don’t start shouting in the fucking lobby. The instant the doors open, I shove her inside, and as they slide shut behind me, I level her with a glare.

“You left the fucking room?” I suck in a harsh breath as I close the distance between us, cornering her against the back panel of the elevator.

Her eyes widen on my face as she realizes I’m pissed off with her. “The phone is broken, so I came down to report it and place the order for dinner.”

“I thought someone fucking grabbed you!” I shout. “Do you have any idea…”

The elevator stops on a different floor, and I suck in another harsh breath as a woman steps inside.

I keep my eyes locked with Cassia’s, and she gives me a pleading look while whispering, “I’m sorry.”

The elevator stops again, and the woman gets out. When the door shuts, and we’re alone, I growl, “Do you have any fucking idea how worried I was?”

“I thought it was okay because we’re in a hotel.”

The elevator finally stops on our floor, and grabbing her hand, I drag her ass down the hallway. I dig my keycard out of my pocket and shove the door open.

When I shut the door behind us, I let go of her hand and take a few steps away from her.

“I’m sorry, Lincoln. Please don’t be angry with me.”

I swing around and stalk back to her. Grabbing her by the throat, I lean in really fucking close. “If I lose you…If I...” My breathing starts to speed up even more, and my heart thunders in my chest.

The image of Ronnie’s body trapped beneath the bastard as he rapes her hits me.

---