Page 44 of Grim's Hell

“What the fuck am I being fined for?” Thorn asks. “He fucking attacked me.”

“Grim, go play pool with Abyss before I kick your ass,” Soul commands.

Grim stands, flips off Thorn, and stalks over to the pool table.

“Thorn, make it three hundred.” Soul raises his hand and beckons Thorn to keep going, but Thorn wisely keeps his mouth shut. “First, we don’t touch women who haven’t asked to be touched or those who are off-limits.Second, don’t question me about being fined.”

Off-limits? What the heck does that mean?

All I can think of is the fact that I’m engaged. Doesn’t take a genius to figure that out with the gaudy diamond ring I’m wearing.

Cece and I share a look, but she shrugs and asks the man behind the bar for a margarita. He’s got the same leather vest as the others, but his patch reads ‘prospect’.

“What can I get you, sweetheart?” he politely asks me after taking Cece’s order. “I’m Asher, by the way.”

“Violet,” I say shyly. “Can I have a Coke, please?”

“Sure thing.”

Within moments, he’s setting our drinks on the bar in front of us.

“What do you want to do?” Cece asks before taking a giant sip of her beverage.

“Can we go sit down?” The couches are calling my name.

“Oh shit, I’m sorry,” she gushes, but before we can head toward them, Thorn approaches.

“Violet, I’m really sorry.” He hangs his head and peeks through his lashes, his bottom lip sticking out. “Can you forgive me?”

“Yes.” I give him a tiny smile. “I’m sorry you got fined.”

Thorn chuckles and calls Asher over and asks for a beer. “It’s okay. Wasn’t the first time, won’t be the last.”

A loud cracking sound reverberates through the space, and we all turn toward the pool table. Abyss is trying to talk to Grim, but Grim just keeps shaking his head and glares at us while balls fly into pockets. I dart my gaze away before I’m caught gawking. I’m a guest here and have no right to eavesdrop.

We inch slowly toward the seating area, and Cece introduces me to other members of the club. I’m glad almost everyone has a patch with their name, or I’d be lost. So far, they’re all nice, but the sympathy on their faces has me wanting to crawl back to my room and not leave again until I’m healed.

Lock and Fort are arguing over what to watch on TV, and Lock has Fort in a headlock. Fort is still operating the remote control while everyone around them is placing bets on who will win.

Grinning at the scene in front of me, I glance up in time to see a live news conference before the channel is changed again.

Wait… was that my parents? No way. It couldn’t be… could it?

“Go back!” I shout without thinking. Everyone freezes, and I take a deep breath. “Please… can you change the channel back?” I ask softly.

“Sure thing, sweetness.” Fort winks as he returns to the news.

Crap.

I wasn’t imagining it. My parents are standing there, front and center, withBradright behind them. My breath catches, and I dig my fingernails into my palms to keep from crying.

“She’s been missing for over a week,” Dad says into the microphone. “Her car was discovered totaled on the side of the road, just a few miles from her apartment, but she was nowhere to be found. The local hospitals have no records or reports of my daughter, or anyone listed as Jane Doe.”

“We just need to know that she’s okay,” Mom cries. “She’s my baby!”

Brad hugs my mom as she sobs, and he leans forward to speak. “If anyone has any information, please come forward. We’re supposed to get married next month, and I-I-I want her to come back to me,” he pleads.

The Police Chief steps up to the podium. “If anyone has any information, please contact us immediately.”

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