Page 168 of Innocent Intentions

“She starts walking. Enters a hallway on the southeast side. She reaches the EXIT sign. There’s a man behind her. She startles. They talk. She knows him, I think. Her body language changes. She tries to get past him and…Fuck.”

He pauses.

“Bash. What?”

“He grabs her. She scratches his face. He… he punches her.”

Red.

That’s all I see.

He hit her.

“Two men enter from the exit door. Definitely not guests. They speak to the guy holding her. Then…”

He growls. An ugly, animalistic sound.

“I’m sorry, Matthias. They took her.”

Chapter 75

Matthias

“Stop pacing and sit down. We’re figuring this out,” Dom snaps.

“No, we’renotfiguring this out. We haven’t figured shit out. She’s been gone for four hours, and we havenothing.”

I’m shaking with rage. It’s easier to hold onto the anger than face the all-consuming fear. The worst thing that could’ve happened to my sweet girl has happened, and we’re empty-handed.

“Matthias, it’s only been four hours. These things take time. We’re working on it,” he exhales like I’m being a burden.

“You don’t even fucking care!” I yell.

His calm, detached tone is the last straw.

I get in his face and shove him. His eyes flash. Finally, a fucking reaction. He’s been a cold, calculated bastard this whole time, and it’s driving me insane. He should care. It’sMargot.

“You know that’s not true,” he growls. “I’m staying level-headed, so someone in this room can make decisions. Unlikeyou.”

He shoves me back.

“Fuck you! This is your fucking fault! If you hadn’t called with bullshit, I wouldn’t have left her. She’d be safe beside me!”

“No. It’s your fault.Youleft her.Youwalked away. It wasyourduty to protect her. Do you even care–”

I don’t let him finish.

I roar and lunge. He sees it coming, but I’m faster and angrier. I slam my fist into his jaw. He reels back, winding up to hit me.

“Enough!” Roman’s voice breaks through the room as he grabs me. Bash grabs Dom, and pulls him back just as hard.

“Matthias, we’re doing what we can. Dom, give a shit. This is Margot. And this is both of your faults.” Roman doesn’t sugarcoat it. His voice is harsh. Barely controlled fury. “Dom, you shouldn’t have called unless it was urgent. You knew he’d answer. We always pick up for each other. Matthias, you walked away. You left her. You know better. And you’re furious at yourself for it. Don’t take it out on each other.”

We stand in silence, chest to chest, breathing like animals.

Dom slowly holds out a hand.

“I’m sorry. I do care. She’s family now. I feel like shit for calling. I just wanted to give you a heads-up. Getting her back is my top priority.”

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