Page 62 of Accepted Precedent
“They could be.” Mickey firmly grips the back of my neck. “Nothing will happen to them, I promise, but please stay here.”
“Our phones are dead.” I swallow thickly. “What if something happens to you?”
He pulls me closer, resting his forehead on mine. “I’m practically immortal, but if anything happened to you, burning in hell for eternity wouldn’t be enough punishment for me.”
“You said it yourself: she’s my platonic soulmate. If anything happened to her, and I didn’t at least try to help or stop it, I’d be joining you in the eternal hellfire.”
“Fair enough,” he huffs. “I’ll look for a portable battery charger while you get dressed.”
I close the distance and kiss him, grateful he’s taking this seriously. Oftentimes I wonder if he forgets he is not in fact immortal, and has enemies who would happily kill me or Evelyn just to hurt him.
Mickey cleans us up as best we can in the dark, then rummages through a bag for a battery pack. I quickly dress in boxer briefs, sweatpants, and a tee, then try calling both rooms with no luck.
Once Mick is dressed and my phone is charged enough to turn on, we head to his room where Evie is staying. He swipes the keycard and calls into the room, “Angel? Wake up, love.”
I click the flashlight icon, shining it into the room. The bed is empty.
Fuck.
“Can I get the light over here?” Mickey’s crouched near the closet, and I focus the light on the safe. He types in the code, and as it opens, he growls, “Where the fuck is my gun?”
“Does she know the safe code?”
“Aye, but I told her it was for emergencies only.”
The buzz of electricity zings through the room as the lights turn on and various miniature appliances come back to life. The flashlight dims and my phone shuts off. “Shit! Cheap battery pack.” He springs into action, opening and closing drawers, checking the suitcase, and fluffing the comforter. “What are you looking for?”
“Any sign of struggle, missing items… I don’t know.” Worry mars his features, and I can’t remember the last time I’ve seen him like this—if ever. “I’m only going to tell you this once: you need to stay here while I find Evelyn.”
“ThenI’monly going to tellyouthis once: no. If there’s even a one-percent chance she’s in danger, I’m coming with you.”
His eyes darken. “I can’t lose both of you!”
“You won’t,” I assure him. “Her phone is gone. Maybe she’s with Kristin?”
“I fuckin’ hope not,” he grumbles under his breath, then uses the room phone. He rakes a hand through his hair and sucks in a breath as they answer. “I need your help locating someone… Yes, and her sister…” Whoever he’s talking to speaks for a while. Eyes wide, he roars, “Call her back right fuckin’ now!”
“What’s going on?”
He holds up a finger as he listens. The longer he does, the more his body relaxes. “Okay. Do whatever you have to, to protect her—both of them”
Mickey slams the phone down and stalks out of the room. I follow, still unsure where he’s going or what’s happening. As he opens the door, he pauses, the bright hall lights illuminating his pained scowl. “They’re both safe. They have to be.”
We exit and take the stairwell down two floors. Knocking on Kristin’s door, he commands, “Open the door, Ms. Proctor.”
Mick glances to the room across the hall. “So help me…”
“What?” I whisper-shout, following his gaze.
He crosses the space and raps his knuckles on the door. “Stand behind me.”
I do as he asks, and there’s a faint rustling coming from inside. The door flings open to Evelyn and Kristin in their pajamas, covered in blood. Mickey doesn’t hesitate a millisecond, grabbing Evie and pulling her to him.
My eyes dart between all of them. “What the fuck is going on?”
“Are you hurt, angel?”
“No,” she squeaks, “but if you squeeze me any tighter, I will be.”
