Page 171 of Cruel Tides

Kai popped up, letting the weight he’d been lifting clatter down beside him. Sweat streamed down his face as he panted. “Dude, you were the one who said we should give them some space.” He swiped an arm over his forehead. “A little alone time to bond, right?”

I shot him a sharp glare that immediately caused him to back down and resume lifting. “That’s ten more repetitions for arguing with me. Laverne—spot him.” I jabbed a finger in her direction, then pointed firmly to Kai.

Her head popped up off the couch to snort her disapproval.“What? ME?”

“You heard me.” It was less about her getting off the couch and more about pushing Kai. If he believed I thought his pet could handle the weight, maybe it would motivate him to work harder.

“It’s fine,” Kai blew out. “I’ve—I’ve got this.”

He was damn right he had this. Kai was surprisingly sturdy for a merman of his size. “All right, I’m heading in,” I said, turning back to Barren’s bedchamber door. “Barren’s had more than enough time to find out what happened to her back at Javalynn’s place.”

I cracked my knuckles, visualizing what I would do to the poor soul when I got my hands on them. Oh—I was going to enjoy it. I couldn’t deny the madness that tinged my voice as I added, “I’m ready to know whose throat we need to rip out.”

Kai wheezed out a nervous laugh as I pushed open the door to the bedchamber. But I wasn’t joking.

“Claira? Barren?” I called, not bothering to knock. My cock strained against the front of my pants as I took a step inside. I was more than ready to handle whatever state I might find them in and unopposed to offering my assistance if needed. With how quiet things had been, it seemed Barren could use the help. “I’m coming in.”

Light filtered in from the back window and doors. “The fuck?” I muttered, getting a whiff of the room. Instead of sweat, the heavy scent of salt filled the air.

The next thing that caught my attention was Barren’s massive figure, solid and bare, sprawled out over the bed. His breathing was steady, and although I couldn’t see his face for the arm he’d thrown over it, what I could see of him was more than enough to have me turning right back around.

Fuck, he’s huge.

I’d never given much thought to Barren’s cock, but now I had to shake my head to rid myself of the image. Maybe he didn’t need my assistance after all.

I cleared my throat, trying to make my presence known, when the bed creaked with movement.

Barren’s voice, low and hoarse, gave away his confusion. “Leander?”

“Yeah, sorry. I couldn’t wait?—”

“Where’s Claira?” he asked, and I found myself staring blankly at the wall ahead of me.

“What do you mean, where’s Claira?” I turned to see Barren’s massive frame bursting out of bed with the force of an enraged bull shark.

His eyes darted around the room, and his breath came out in a ragged snarl. “Is she with you?”

“What do you mean,is she with me?”I snarled right back. “Don’t tell me you fucking lost her again!”

A dazed look came over his eyes, and he stumbled, catching himself with a hand on the bed. “I must have fallen asleep,” he grumbled before shaking off his stupor to charge toward the washroom. When he stuck his head inside, I knew something was deeply wrong by the way the wall of his back tensed to stone. “She isn’t here.”

“Then where is she?” I growled, fighting not to grab hold of him. All this time, I believed she was here, safe with Barren. “You were supposed to be with her!”

But I didn’t strike out at him. Instead, I took a step back, clenching my fists until my knuckles ached, as if that might somehow hold back my rage.

I couldn’t afford to summon another storm. Not with how things had been going. I was already feeling the effects of the trident wearing on me, draining my energy, and perhaps more. No—this wasn’t the time to panic and lash out with anger. Not yet. “She probably stepped outside,” I offered, imagining what Kai would say. “To clear her head or something.”

“Herhead.” Barren groaned, slumping against the doorframe.

Then, in a sudden switch, his eyes went wild with panic. He charged past me. He headed for the back of his chamber and threw open the doors. I followed after him, nearly tripping over the first fucking plant I came across outside.

The sound of waves crashing against the dock filled the air, and I blew out a breath before calling, “Claira?”

She was nowhere in sight, and it was growing harder by the second to keep my emotions in check.Fuck.

With no other options left, I turned back to Barren.

“Tell me what happened,” I demanded, but he wouldn’t turn around. He kept gazing out at the water, as if he knew so little about Claira, he thought she might have plunged right in it on her own.

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