Page 81 of Safe Haven

“What the fuck, Dane?” I scoff. “Is this because I put Ginny in charge instead of you?”

He continues to ignore me, but Trevor is happy to explain.

“Of course it’s because you put her in charge instead of him. She’s fucking twelve and a bitch.” He smirks at me. “Once I explained I own a store he could manage, Dane was happy to help me out. He reached out right away to tell me he overheard someone answering a phone for The Hotel Damarco in the background of your call earlier.”

Shit. I didn’t even consider that.

I also didn’t consider Dane would ever do something like this, so apparently I’m not as smart as I thought I was.

“So when do I start?” Dane continues to avoid looking my way, shifting on his feet as he tries to close the deal he made. “I’m ready whenever.”

Trevor angles a brow at him. “I didn’t say youwouldbe managing my store. I said youcould. It was simply a possibility.” Trevor shrugs. “You’re actually not what I’m looking for in an employee. Loyalty is important.”

Dane’s eyes widen in shock, like he can’t believe Trevor would screw him over. “What the fuck? I helped you.”

“You did. And now I no longer need your help.” Trevor lifts his arm. I barely have a second to register the pistol in his handbefore he pulls the trigger, shooting Dane in the head at point-blank range.

My skin goes cold and the room starts to spin as Dane’s dead body drops to the filthy floor. Trevor crouches down and I think he’s checking to make sure Dane’s not breathing. When he stands, I nearly break down.

He’s holding Coco. She looks awful. Even with her pretty fur overgrown and matted, I can see she’s lost weight. Her eyes are dull and she seems weak, but her little tail still starts to wag when she sees me.

But then Trevor aims the gun he just used to shoot Dane at her. “Unless you want to watch her die too, you’re going to tell me what the fuck you did with the files you copied off my computer.”

TWENTY-FIVE

MADDOX

THE CLOCK ON the nightstand next to me is positive Audrey only left ten minutes ago, but I’m not convinced. I was hoping her visit with Becca would be quick, but the situation must be more involved than I thought.

I have a sister and a mother. I know periods can be a nightmare. It’s possible Becca needs more than just the items Audrey had on hand.

“So many fucking interruptions.”

I swing both legs over the side of the bed and stand, collecting my clothes and pulling them on before shoving both feet into my boots. Audrey hasn’t been gone long, but if Becca needs pain medication or a heating pad, I’d rather get it done and out of the way so I can have Audrey to myself for the rest of the evening. I want time to make her happy before I have to tell her Butch is pretty certain Trevor’s still alive.

He overheard a few cops he’s suspicious are part of the group responsible for protecting Trevor and his ilk talking when he went into the precinct. They were quietly discussing someonewho’d gone missing right before they were supposed to have a meeting with a guy they only referred to as ‘the man’. They clammed up once they noticed Butch nearby, so he wasn’t able to get anything additional.

But that was enough to tell me two things. I might still have the chance to kill Trevor, and whoever’s in charge of this whole criminal enterprise is more than a piece of shit, he’s also a twat.

The man. Fucking idiot.

After tucking in my shirt, I grab our room key and head out, going down the hall to Becca’s door. I knock and wait. And wait.

And wait.

Luca must have heard me, because after my second knock, he pokes his head out of the room he shares with Owen. “What’s going on?”

“Audrey came down to check on Becca, but she hasn’t come back.” I knock again. “They’re not with you guys, are they?”

“Hang on.” Luca disappears into his room and comes back out carrying a key card. He swipes it across the scanner on Becca’s door before cracking it open. “Becca? Audrey? We’re coming in.” He pushes it wide and steps inside.

I follow him and stop short.

The room’s empty.

There aren’t many places they could be. If they’re not with me and they’re not with Luca and Owen, I can only think of one other spot they might have gone. “Maybe they went to the front desk.” I bite down on the unease creeping over my skin. It’s the same feeling I had the night I woke up and couldn’t fall backasleep. The same night Darion called telling us to get the hell out.

I know what this feeling means, but I don’t want to consider it. “Get Owen.”

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