Page 46 of Precious Legacy

I never thought I’d have to see him again. I never thought I’d face Ashton Greedy, the guy who women would willingly fall to their knees for. Everyone but me, that is.

Another nudge from someone behind me jolts me out of my stupor, enough for me to spin around and dart out of the crowd. I weave through the sea of people, shoving between groups of bodies. But it’s not fast enough. My breath hasn’t caught up to me and it feels like the walls are closing in and the air is being sucked from the large space.

Just when my hope starts to evaporate, I spot the exit. The cold air calls to me and I sprint as fast as I can out into the night. I don’t care if I look like an idiot caked in booze and running from my past, I need tobreathe.

The fresh air hits me like a hammer to the head, a rush of cold oxygen filling my lungs as I swallow back gulps of relief. I keel over, resting my hands on my knees and using the wall of the warehouse to keep me sturdy. Black spots dart in front of my eyes, and I can smell the alcohol stuck to my legs, which only makes me more nauseous.

“You okay?” A gentle voice asks. It’s not like the one before. It’s silky, laced with concern and tinged with an accent. Though I can’t make out what it is, it’s calming and comforting.

Inhaling deeply, I straighten myself up, coming face to face with soft eyes. There’s no malice in them, just genuine concern that has me relaxing slightly.

“Yeah,” I exhale.

“You sure? You don’t look it.”

I’m well aware I look like shit right now. Fear doesn’t exactly look glamorous, but I’m not about to tell a stranger that I’ve just come face to face with the last guy I ever wanted to see, because he’s only reserved for my nightmares.

“I’ll be fine,” I assure, taking another deep breath. “I just?—”

My words are interrupted by my brother’s sharp voice cutting through the air.

“What’re you doing here, Milo?”

EIGHTEEN

“Where is she?” I seethe as Haven gapes at me wide-eyed. I know I shouldn’t be taking my anger out on her, but I wasn’t expecting Alanis to just disappear into thin air. Just when things were getting back on track, she up and vanishes.

I was only gone for half an hour at most, meeting with some potential fighters we’re lining up. Apparently, it’s not that difficult to find fighters, especially good ones. The success of these fight nights depends upon people wanting to get in the ring in the first place; no fighters, no fights. Thankfully, with Haldon’s connections, we’ve been able to get word out about the fight nights and it’s paid off.

Usually, I wouldn’t be so worried about Alanis just leaving. I know she can hold her own, but with shit going down with the Russians, nobody is safe.

“I don’t know, Ro. She was getting our drinks.”

I peer over the balcony at the bar for the fifth time since Haven told me Alanis never came back. There’s still no sign of her, though, and the unease that brings is starting to give me a headache. “Well, fucking find her!”

“Whoa!” Haldon interjects, stepping between me and his sister. “Calm down. She’s probably just lost in the crowd.”

“Haldon,” I warn as my phone vibrates in my hand. We both know that the situation with the Russians is rocky; enough so that they’ll go to any measure to mess with us. Since we haven’t responded to their request about the docks yet, I wouldn’t put it past them to do something like kidnap one of ours to get our attention.

I glance down at my phone as another wave of unease washes over me.

Alvaro: Milo’s here.

Fuck!This is just what we need. I’ve been waiting for my uncle to locate a reliable source to infiltrate the Federovs organization so we can go forward with our plan. Unfortunately, it’s taken longer than expected, which means this fight night is unsanctioned, and in turn, provides reason for the Russians to retaliate.

I need to get a handle on things—especially my emotions—because I don’t want to make any rash decisions. I can’t afford to do that right now.

Taking a deep breath, I type out a response.

Me: Where?

The reply comes immediately, and my hand grips my phone so tightly it could crack. My body is wound up so tensely that when my phone vibrates again with an incoming message, I jolt at the sensation.

Alvaro: Outside.

“Call her phone,” I bark at Haven, who scowls back at me. Unfortunately, now isn’t the time to play nice and be polite. I need to make sure Alanis is safe, which is proving more difficult when Haven chews down on her lip and hands me a cellphone.

“She didn’t take it with her,” she replies, her eyes rounding apologetically.

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