Page 125 of Royal Bargain
No answer.
I pull out my phone and call Burns.
Straight to voicemail.
My pulse ticks up.
Something’s not right.
I check the time—well past midnight. I start pacing, boots crunching softly against gravel, staring up at the windows like I might catch a glimpse of him lurking behind one.
Still nothing.
With a sigh, I tap Lucky’s contact and lift the phone to my ear.
He answers on the second ring, voice groggy. “This better be good.”
“Burns texted me to come to HQ. I’m here, but the place is locked up and dark. He’s not answering.”
A pause.
“You think something happened?” Lucky asks.
“I don’t know. Feels… weird.”
“Or maybe he passed out drunk in his office again and forgot to unlock the door.”
I run a hand through my hair. “Maybe. But something’s off, Lucky. I can feel it.”
He exhales. “You’ve been running on no sleep and adrenaline. Don’t let your brain start seeing ghosts.”
“Yeah,” I mutter. “Maybe.”
I lower the phone from my ear, thumb hovering over the screen like I might call Burns again.
That’s when it buzzes.
Not a call.
A text.
Unknown Number: Didn’t take much to pull you away.
Unknown Number: Timing really is everything.
My stomach drops.
I stare at the words, heart thudding against my ribs like it’s trying to punch its way out.
There’s no name. No follow-up. Just those two lines. Just enough to twist the knife.
Is this a trap? A warning? A bluff?
It could mean anything, but my gut is screaming.
I turn back to the car, jaw clenched so tight it aches, adrenaline burning through me like fire. Throwing the car into gear, I tear out of the parking lot like the devil’s at my heels, praying to whatever’s listening that I’m not already too late.
37
