Page 100 of Take Hold of Me

I check my watch, surprised ten minutes have passed. Time for me to go back to my post.

Retracing my steps, I return to the main room. Rinaldo has a busty blonde draped all over him. Definitely not Ems. Although the change bodes well for his physical well-being.

Frowning, I search the room but don’t see Ems. The place has started to clear out, but Sally from the set stands by a table, chatting with a guy.

“Excuse me, Sally. I was wondering if you have seen Emilie recently?”

Sally’s face lights up when I address her. “Oh, Emilie is a miracle worker! She was just here a few minutes ago. She went in search of the ladies’ room. That way.” She points to yet another hallway off this room. What a maze.

“Thanks.”

Leaving them, I make my way in the direction she indicated. It’s dark. My brows pull together to a knot. It seems to be empty, too. The hallway curves to the right. As I head down to investigate, noises of a scuffle reach my ears.

I pick up my pace and turn the corner, only to find it dead ends behind another door. My heartrate increases. Whoever is behind the door is making a lot of noise. A man’s voice sifts through the air, but I cannot make out his words. My hand goes for the doorknob, but I hesitate. What if it’s some couple enjoying a bit of a role play?

“Allez-vous!Go away!”

My stomach tightens so fast I nearly double over. I’d know that French accent anywhere.

My hand flies to the doorknob, which opens without a struggle. Thank God. I burst through the doorway. Inside, Emilie shifts all her weight and propels her cupped hand forward, hitting the guy in front of her directly on his ear.

I blink in recognition. Wade Block.

He emits a howl of pain.Good.She takes a step but he springs at her, grabbing her ankle. She falls to the floor and he jumps on top of her. “I’ll make you pay,” he hisses, smacking her across the face.

I see red. Jumping into action, I pull the fucker off Ems. “Run, Ems. Go!” Without hesitation, she takes off toward the door.

Grabbing Wade Block around the back of his neck, I pull his head downward as I raise my knee to meet it. He grunts upon impact. Blood spurts as the cracking tells me I hit my target and broke his nose.

He stumbles backward.Not so fast, fucker.My fist meets his jaw, causing his head to snap backwards.

My fists connect with his torso, over and over, going for his kidneys. He tries to get off a punch, but I sidestep the feeble attempt.I left my post and this is what happens. I never should have let Rinaldo’s words—or FPU’s—get to me.

I failed. Again.

I keep wailing on this pitiful excuse for a human being. Pummeling it into a deflated punching bag. Before my eyes, the body on the floor becomes Starr. She stalked Cole and Rose, and killed Jared and Roberto. My fists continue to hit their mark.

“Wills. Wills. Stop it, Wills. He is out cold!”

Something pulls at my pulsing bicep, trying to divert me from my target. Panting, I flip my arm up and around, freeing myself. Another pull. I form a fist and twist toward whatever is trying to stop me.

“Wills!”

My arm freezes mid-air. My breathing stops.

Emilie.

Oh, God, what have I done?

Blinking rapidly, I drop both of my arms. Emilie shakes and calls out my name. A bloodied Wade Block lies on the floor, unmoving. My ears start to buzz. From the doorway, several new voices enter the room. I’m a savage animal, bent over the prone body of my prey, splattered with blood and blinded by rage.

“What’s going on?”

Rinaldo rushes in. The buzzing in my ears grows louder and louder. Emilie takes both of my hands in hers.

I’m not good enough for her to touch. I’m worse than my father ever could have imagined. I’m the lowest form of scum. My demons have won. “No,” I say, staggering away.

Rinaldo pulls Emilie away from me and asks, “Emilie. Are you okay? What did this guy do to you?”

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