Page 81 of Bound By Love

“How did this happen? How could he get shot?” Simone whimpered, drying her eyes with her coat sleeve. None of the women knew what exactly would be going on or what we expected.

“It’s a long story.”

When her gaze connected with mine, hate flashed in her dark-brown depths. “You! This is because of you!” She pulled out of her dad’s arms, rushed toward me, and shoved me in the chest. “Tell me this doesn’t have anything to do with you.”

“Simone,” her dad called.

“You’re always around Will. What did you get him into?” She stabbed her finger over my heart.

I didn’t move or speak. Simone was clearly upset and had every right to be.

“Answer me.” Her words came out in between ragged breaths as she shoved me again.

“I tried to protect him.”

She shook her head and beat on my chest. “He’s hurt because of you.”

Fuck, she wasn’t wrong. I didn’t get to Will fast enough. There were more Mexicans present than we’d planned for, and bullets had rained down on Will. York hadn’t wanted the meeting to turn into a bloodbath so we’d waited instead of taking each one of those motherfuckers out. We could have cleaned house, taking out the kingpin and his crew with the three snipers in position, waiting on York’s order. But York’s order had come seconds too late.

I let Simone continue to assault me because I deserved her hate and fury.

“Simone, enough.” Her dad pulled her back into his arms. “My apologies, Axel.”

My phone vibrated in my hand; Norris was calling. I moved to the side, away from everyone so they wouldn’t hear me talking.

“Where the fuck have you been?” I hissed into the phone.

“She’s gone. Someone broke into the house and drugged me. I just came to. Fuck, Ax. She’s been gone for hours.”

I cut my eyes to York’s. He immediately stalked toward me with his lips pursed thin.

I continued to hear Simone whimpering, and it gutted me.

“Did you see who it was?” I asked Norris.

“No, he got me from behind—a syringe in the neck. The bastard took her after taking me out. Dinner was burning on the stove when I woke, and broken dishes were on the floor. There had been a struggle, but I don’t see any blood.”

“Son of a bitch. This was Jason. I’m sure of it. He probably had someone watching her.”

“That’s what I’m thinking.”

“Hold on.” I turned to York. “Miranda is missing. Someone broke into her house and drugged Norris. He just woke up.”

“Jesus Christ. We need to get up there now. I’ll see about getting the private jet.” York stormed off. He whispered in Mr. St. James’s ear, and they went down the corridor.

Simone turned toward me, her mouth agape. Had she heard Miranda was missing?

“What about Wolf and the prospect?” I asked Norris, refocusing my attention. I couldn’t be distracted right now. Miranda’s life was in danger.

“They’re on their way. I called Wolf before I called you.”

“Okay, we’re coming. Look for clues. I’ll call you when we touch down.”

“Yeah, okay.”

A nurse appeared. “Mrs. St. James?”

Claire, Simone, and Will’s grandfather gathered in front of the doctor. York and Mr. St. James appeared seconds later. I stepped closer to listen.

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