Page 120 of Burn Like An Angel

“Ripley!”

I stare into Warner’s rich baby blues. “Hey.”

Hand braced on a gun holster, he rushes across the car park to meet us. I’ve barely managed a step before I’m pulled into his arms. Not even my smarting ribcage can stop me from hugging him tight.

“You have no idea how good it is to see you.”

“Yeah.” My throat is thick with emotion. “You too.”

Leaning back to examine me, his mouth turns down in a grimace. When his gaze travels to the other three standing nearby in varying degrees of distress, that grimace morphs into a look of abject horror.

“What on earth happened?”

I wave for Xander and the others to approach. “Long story. We have some catching up to do. What happened to you?”

He shrugs with a strained smile. “Even longer story. I got caught up in the violence and had to hide so I didn’t get taken hostage like the real guards.”

“Well, I’m glad you’re alive.”

Warner squeezes my shoulder. “I’m sorry we got separated. I searched for you once the authorities moved in, but you were already gone.”

“We managed to escape.”

“So, what happened?” he repeats.

I brush his question off. “Later. Is your team here?”

“Yeah, we’re all here.” He shakes his head in disbelief. “I couldn’t believe it when I heard you’d made contact. Thought I’d never see you again.”

“We contacted Theodore a while back, but things have escalated.”

“So I can see.”

Surveying the guys, Warner offers them a tight nod. I shoot Lennox a glare, silently urging him to behave. He’s glowering at Warner like he can melt the skin from his bones with his mistrustful stare alone.

The sound of more car doors slamming interrupts our reunion. We all tense as several figures emerge from their SUVs and stroll towards us. Every single eye is locked on our motley group.

Walking ahead, a truly intimidating mountain of a man leads the way. He’s built like a fucking house, exuding strength and aggression. I try not to gawp at his massive frame, stacked with corded muscle.

The moment his glowing, amber eyes land on me, the most peculiar shift happens. This terrifying, raven-haired beast… offers me a little smile. Peculiar. Though it does soften his harsh features.

Behind him, a slimmer man walks fast to keep up with his colleague’s strides. He’s hugging a laptop to his flannel-covered chest like it’s a safety blanket. His messy blonde ringlets are denser than mine.

They’re flanked by security—two men and one brown-haired woman, all wearing holsters and matching black clothing. I count several weapons, though I have no doubt more are concealed.

“Warner,” the giant rumbles deeply. “Care to introduce us?”

“Right.” He steps back to wave them forward. “This is Ripley, Xander, Lennox and Raine.”

“The missing patients.” Blondie looks up at us.

Past the wire-rimmed frames he wears, intelligent blue eyes several shades lighter than Warner’s hold deep apprehension. I recognise his voice from Xander’s earlier phone call. This is Theodore Young.

“That’s close enough.” Xander inches in front of me. “Who are you?”

“Bloody hell.” The woman’s eyes are wide as saucers. “You walked here looking like that?”

If looks could kill, she’d be adding her blood to Xander’s splattered state with that comment. He looks none too pleased about her attitude.

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