Page 131 of Into the Woods

I pressed my lips into a tight line, irritation licking up my spine. “We need to go now.”

“Agreed,” Rook replied with a tight nod.

“Be careful,” Maddie whispered, fear in her eyes.

Ryan crossed the room and kissed her, holding her face in the palm of one hand. “We’ll be back soon with Bex. Stay with Ash, okay?”

She nodded, a tremulous smile on her lips. “Go get our girl.”

No.

I was going to get my girl.

CHAPTER 40

BEX

“We’re here,” Eric announced, smiling at me in the dark interior of the limo.

The engine cut off, the driver getting out and coming around to open Eric’s door. He got out into a dimly lit parking lot before reaching back and extending a hand to me. As much as I wanted not to touch him, I grabbed his hand and let him pull me out of the car.

Cold air whipped across my cheeks and stung my eyes. I caught the faint scent of water and trash that marked the Seine and blinked through icy tears to look at the brick building looming ahead.

A quick glance around showed we were in an industrial area that, as Eric had promised, ended at the riverfront with a private pier. Different size boats were docked alongside what looked like a massive cargo ship. Metal crates in various colors were stacked four-high on the deck.

The warehouse was a three-story rectangle with thin slivers of windows that seemed blacked out. A few low-wattage lights cast an eerie yellow glow, illuminating the dark, reflective lines of several parked cars. Ahead, a large metal door was pulled open to allow entry to a couple dressed like they’d been at the party. The woman’s red dress shimmered in the lights as she disappeared inside and the door closed.

In the distance, I could make out faint outlines of other buildings, but there was no sign of life. This was an area of Paris I’d never been to. It had a slightly haunted feel, like you could tell no one ever came out here.

“Eric!” a voice called, and I turned to see Colby heading toward us, his hands shoved in the pockets of his peacoat.

“Colby,” Eric greeted, his tone warm even as his grip on my arm tightened.

Colby rubbed his hands together in front of his face. “Ready for the festivities?” His gaze raked down me, an appreciate leer in his smile.

“Of course,” Eric replied with a breezy chuckle. “I assume the others are inside?”

“Brent is,” Colby answered. “Geoffry was passed out with a bottle of tequila when I left his estate this afternoon. I doubt the fool will wake up.”

“And Henry?”

My skin prickled as Colby’s gaze turned vicious with a side of homicidal.

“Detained for the evening.” Colby’s voice was more chilling than the bitter wind coming off the water. “I’ll see to him later. If you’ll excuse me, I must join my father. He’s looking for a new toy to add to his collection.”

“Of course,” Eric said with an indulgent smile, and we watched as Colby sauntered away toward a group of men several yards away.

My insides twisted with fear and worry. “Eric—”

“Shall we, my love?” Eric held out the crook of his arm for me, and I went to take it. My clutch brushed his arm, and he glared at it. “Leave that in the car.”

A nervous laugh escaped me. “What? Why?”

“No phones inside,” he replied, his tone curt. He jerked his chin back toward the interior of the car.

I hesitated, and he ripped it from my hand and hurled it back into the car, then slammed the door. He crowded me against the side of the car, caging me in with a snarl.

Instinctively I looked at the driver, but he was staring straight ahead, studiously ignoring me. Great, he clearly wasn’t going to help me out. “Eric—”

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