Page 14 of Adored By Them
I make my way over to him, stepping over an upside-down table and the remains of a chair.In a low voice, I say, “Something isn’t adding up.”
He nods.I don’t think he’s fully taking in my meaning.
“Morraine’s acting suspicious?—”
All of a sudden, Edmund snaps out of it.His gaze moves to the side and he shakes his head.“Troy.”
He doesn’t even have to say the rest.I see Caleb moving toward the stairs.
“You.”I point at Caleb.“Don’t fucking move.”
“Guys, look.I’ll get to work on what happened to Danica.”He keeps inching toward the stairs.
A few big strides and I’m blocking Caleb’s way.
He squares his shoulders.He’s half a head shorter than I am, and about fifty pounds lighter.Cute that he thinks he stands a chance against me.He seems to figure that out pretty fast, and his shoulders fall.
“Troy, what the fuck?Let me go, man.We have work to do, right?”
I don’t budge.“Why’d you kill Scollins?”
“He was gonna kill me.”Caleb jabs a finger at Scollins, at the gun held loosely in his right hand.
“Yeah, that’s where this doesn’t add up.”I shake my head.I can’t believe it’s come to this.I can’t believe, after all these years working with him…
Caleb flicks his gaze to the stairs behind me.He wants to be anywhere but here.“What do you mean?”
“I mean Scollins was a leftie.If he was gonna shoot you, he’d do it with his other hand.It would be uncomfortable as fuck for him to hold this gun in this hand.”
“Yeah, so?”Caleb’s focus bounces around—past me, to the side, over his shoulder.He’s looking for an out.“Maybe he was in a hurry?—”
“Shut up.”Edmund’s eyes are red-rimmed, his face haggard.“Troy, call Sergey Aseyev.He’ll want to speak with Morraine.Assuming Morraine can still talk once we’re through with him.”
6
Danica
Ipull at my bindings, more out of habit than hope.There’s no give.The plastic ropes cut into my skin.
My new companion glances over, shakes his head.“So what’s your name, anyway?”
“Danica.You?”
“Kellen.”He coughs and spits blood.With his gaze narrowing in on the concerned face I must be making, he adds, “Yeah.I don’t look so healthy.They hurt me bad.”
They hurt me badis really downplaying the damage this guy has sustained.Bruises everywhere, blood everywhere.
“Well.”I keep my voice low, in case Uriel is anywhere nearby.“Well, I guess we should escape so we can get you some help, right?”
“Oh yeah?”Kellen laughs, but it cuts off fast in a groan.“Fuck, that hurts.So you want to escape?You got any idea how?”
“Not exactly.But maybe we can figure something out.See that desk over there?”I gesture with my chin toward the desk on the other side of him.
He turns to look, then turns back to me.“Yeah.”
Lowering my voice even more, I mouth, “Look beneath it.”
Again he turns.His breath hitches when he spies the utility knife.“Well, fuck me, youarean angel.”
