Page 108 of Queen of Diamonds

There was another pause. “How did you find me?”

“I’m uh…” I saw his eyes drift to her, then dart away. I felt a freefall in the bond, a moment of complete and utter collapse. Instead, I focused on the faded patches of paint across the asphalt, taking in a deep breath.

He swallowed, glancing at me for a moment as I cupped his neck. His eyes met mine, and I felt him steady. “I’m Glade’s mate. She’s in trouble. We need a bit of help.”

“Her… mate?” She asked, something suspicious in her voice. “What kind of trouble?”

“The kind that needs a safe house off the radar of… everyone. Mafia, Brotherhood. We can’t be found.”

“Hold on.”

There was another silence, and we heard pieces of a discussion.

“...Safe house…?” That was the first voice. “...Get my father involved, he can get off our asses about not going to him before…”

Finally, Annika was back on the line. “I’ll send you an address. Give me a few minutes. Can I text this number?”

“Yes.”

“Glade, is she alright?”

“She will be.”

“If you need anything else, let me know.”

“Thanks.”

“Why her?” I asked, as he hung up, and we stopped at a bench. I think it was best to keep him talking. Talking and doing things.

Zed didn’t take the bench, choosing the grass instead, settling with her still cradled in his arms.

I took a steadying breath.

I had to hold on. For all of them, just like Kyan was fighting to do.

“Another on-the-run Omega—ex-Cavanaugh I’m pretty sure?” Kyan rooted around in the bag before producing a knife, rag and a jacket. “But the guys she just took off with are well connected. If she’s anything like our mafia princess, they’ll be eating out of her palm.”

“How many in-hiding Omegas does the High Roller have?” I asked, as Kyan cut the rag into strips. It was easier to keep talking as I stared at the blood glistening along her skin.

He narrowed his eyes, counting silently on his finger before giving up and shrugging. “The manager really knows how to advertise.”

I snorted, though the sound was devoid of real humour.

Kyan knelt beside Zed and began to wrap Glade’s hands. We’d need to treat the wounds, but stopping the bleeding for now would have to do.

Glade’s bare feet brushed stems of grass. In the dark night, her crimson dress was like something from a fairytale. Both she and Zed looked haunted. There was dried blood on his face and hair, prints where her hands had cupped his cheeks.

I gritted my teeth, clinging to my shock. It was the only thing keeping my horror at bay. Each line I’d heard through my comms, each taunt from Ace. It had been a blow to my foundation, threatening full collapse.

We were wrong about everything…

And we weren’t out of the woods yet.

“Is… there a plan?” Zed asked, as Kyan draped the jacket over her, and I wondered if he’d processed any of the conversation before now. “Or are we spending the night here?”

I dragged my gaze to him, clearing my throat.

I checked my phone again and wasn’t surprised to see a reply.

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