Page 11 of Bad Ruck

It was Frost who wrapped his arms around me and pulled me to him. "I'm so sorry this happened to your friend."

I closed my eyes and rested my head on his shoulder. "I'm sorry too. This whole thing, it's fucked up." That was the understatement of the year. Was it too late to grab all of my guysand get the hell out of Dusk Bay? I didn't care where we went, as long as it was away from here. To hell with burning the place down. We'd only get singed if we tried. Choked on the smoke.

"We'll find them," he assured me. "And when we do, they'll end up worse than her. I'll see to it personally."

"Don't do anything stupid," I said. "I don't want any of you getting hurt or killed. There's been enough death already." The smell of India's blood started to turn my stomach.

"I have no intention of getting hurt," he said. "I'm pretty sure I can say the same for the others. I know Storm would be pissed off if anyone tried to kill him."

"So would I," Atlas said.

"You'd be pissed off if someone tried to kill Storm?" Jay asked.

Atlas snorted. "That wasn't what I meant, but sure. I'd be pissed off if someone tried to kill any of us. We might be a fucked up family, but we're a family. If anyone messes with one of us, they mess with all of us. Even Storm."

"I knew you'd end up friends," Frost said. After a moment, he added, "Or maybe more."

"Not more," Atlas said, sounding definite. "We'll learn to tolerate each other for Chelsea's sake. That's all."

"I hope you learn to like each other for your own sakes," I said.

The fighting was starting to get on my nerves. Friendly rivalry was one thing, nipping at each other like a pair of dogs was another. Maybe I should threaten to have them neutered. They might try harder to be nice to each other then.

"There's no sign of anyone out there," Storm said, as he and Ramsey re-entered the dressing room. "If they went out that way, they're gone."

I sighed softly, inhaling Frost's scent, a hint of sweat and a lot of masculinity. "We may never know who killed her. Or where Dallas is."

"The back of the club has cameras?" Jay asked.

"Of course," Divina said. "I'll have my security check the footage." She pulled out her phone and sent off a text.

"Have it forwarded to me," Ramsey said. "I'll have a look at it. If we can get a good image from that, we might find whoever they were."

Divina nodded and tapped her screen again before putting her phone back in her skirt pocket. "They'll send everything they find from the last couple of hours. It might show your friend Dallas."

"Good thinking," Frost told her.

She smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. "Thanks." His smile faded completely when she glanced down toward India's body. "She was one of my best girls. First Ivy, now India."

Frost shifted uncomfortably in my arms at the mention of Ivy.

"I don't suppose I can convince you to come back for a while?" Divina asked me.

"No," Storm and Atlas said at the same time.

"Not a fucking chance," Storm growled. "She's with us now. We don't want her taking her clothes off for other men." He turned his best scowl on her.

She returned it with a flat stare. "I don't remember asking you. My question was directed to Chelsea, who's more than capable of making up her own mind. A fact you should be well aware of if you know her at all."

Storm gaped at her, his face turning pink. He looked as though he was about to verbally tear her a new one.

"I'm not coming back," I said quickly, trying to diffuse the situation. "I'm done with stripping. But I'll help out any otherway, if I can. Even if it's only a shoulder for people to cry on." That seemed to appease Storm, for now.

Divina gave Storm a long, last look before turning and heading out the door. "I'll need to organise someone to handle India's remains." She swept away without another glance.

"What do we do now?" Frost asked.

"I have to speak to Otis Skinner," Ramsey said. "If he hears about this from someone else first, he'll wonder why. He'll see this as an attack on his plans." He seemed particularly unimpressed.

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