Page 13 of Adored By Them
“Don’t you fucking dare.”I keep my voice low.“I need his information.”
Troy shakes his head.He looks up at me, his dark eyes holding a mix of emotions I’m too numb to decipher.“Too late.He’s gone.”
It takes a long moment for the words to penetrate my skull.Gone.He’s gone.And gone with him is whatever knowledge he held about Danica’s kidnappers and her location.
In that moment, I know only one thing.
Rage.White-hot, all-consuming.
* * *
Troy
Something changes in Edmund.One moment, he’s calm and controlled, bottling everything up.
The next moment, he grabs one of the tables and overturns it.He lets out a bellow and kicks a chair.
Caleb jumps, startled by the outburst.He’s never seen Edmund like this.Honestly, neither have I.But I think it’s a long fucking time in coming.Edmund’s been bottling everything up.He hasn’t allowed himself any outlets.Now maybe isn’t the best time for him to lose control—we need to find Dani.But at least he’s showingsomeemotion.
“What—the—fuck!”he shouts, overturning another table.“You fucking traitor, fucking—where is she?Fuck you, fuck all of you.Where’s Danica?”
Caleb watches Edmund.“Should we?—”
“Let him rage.”
Another table goes down.Edmund picks up a chair and flings it as far as he can.It clatters against the wall with a loud bang.Several framed pieces of art fall to the floor, glass frames shattering.
Caleb rubs the back of his neck—embarrassed or unsure, I can’t tell.He doesn’t like the sight of his boss losing his cool in front of him, I guess.“Look, man.Maybe I should go?—”
“Stay.We’ll need to figure out next steps.”
Picking up another chair, Edmund roars and hurls it against the wall after the last one.He’s losing his mind.
So am I.And better he lose it here, than somewhere else.Here, the damage is contained.Witnesses at a minimum.
He looks around wildly, probably looking for the nearest chair or table.
I drop to my knees next to Scollins.
Distracted by my movements, Edmund stops raging.He watches me, panting but otherwise still.
“What are you doing?”Caleb asks.
“Getting his phone.”
“Oh.Right.”Caleb drops to the other side of the body and goes for his pockets to help.
Blood is everywhere.
I find the phone.Caleb stares at it, a perplexed expression on his face.
“What?”I ask.
“Nothing.It’s probably locked, anyway.Here, I think I’ve seen him open it before.”He holds his hand out for the phone.
I don’t give it to him.“Edmund, can I talk to you a second?”
Edmund nods.
