Page 53 of Knot your Good Girl

My chest heaves, but it’s taking a few minutes for my racing heart to calm down, and for my muscles to stop shaking.

After those few minutes, I clean up and exit the shower. Before I dry off and stare at my cell.

I’ve looked at it too many times since she left, but each time it’s the same—nothing.

I groan as I remember her sad face, before she took her bag and left earlier tonight.

But it won’t end this way.

Today will not be the end.

I’ll decide when that day happens.

I knock on her door again, but there’s no answer.

I shouldn’t be concerned, but anxiety coils in my gut as I ponder where she is. Did she get home safely?

I dial her number again. There’s no answer from her.

“Who are you looking for?”

I’m startled by the sudden voice, and when I turn, my bodyguards are blocking my view.

“Do you know who lives here?” I ask, pressing my hand on my bodyguard’s shoulder until he steps away.

“Four girls. I haven’t seen them for a few days.” The man has a vape discreetly stowed behind his ear. His raven hair cascades down to match the length of his beard, which nearly reaches his chest. He smiles. “They’re all pretty little things.”

A low rumble emanates from my chest. I clench my hands into fists to stop myself from strangling the fucker.

He quickly clears his throat and says, “I’m the landlord in this building.”

I smile.

“I’m worried about one of the girls who lives here. Can you get your keys and let me inside?” I say as calmly as I can muster. I want to be in that room without kicking down the door.

He stares at me with his deep set beady eyes, and then at my bodyguards as he considers his options.

“How do I know you won’t kidnap them?” He takes the vape from the top of his ear and slowly lifts it to his mouth and takes a drag.

I know he is buying time.

I also know he is nervous.

And I know I’m getting closer to punching him in the guts.

Instead, I open my wallet and take out a stack of one hundred dollar bills and wave them in the air. “Do you think you’ll find the keys?”

He blows vapor from his mouth as he tries to look cool, but looks like a fucking idiot.

“Forget it,” I growl.

“No man. I’ve got the keys.” He shoves the vape in his pocket. There’s a rattle against his hand before he produces a bundle of keys and grins.

“Open the door,” I say, waving the notes in the air again.

He hurries through the keys before he holds one in the air. I assume he suddenly finds a conscience when he says, “Don’t hurt anyone.”

“I’m not here to hurt anyone. Open the door.”

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