Page 139 of Bottles & Blades

Or I can trust them to step up and help.

I already know what they’re capable of.

Same as I already know what I’m going to do.

“Call Pascal,” I order my daughter. Because I trust her and I love her, but there is no fucking way that I’m going to allow her to put herself at risk, especially while pregnant. “Tell him that Tiff was on her way to me, should have been here by now, and that she’s not.” She nods, pulling out her cell, and I turn to Rory. “You go over to the Gold box—Tiff was dropping Roxie off with Stefan. See if she was sidetracked there or on the concourse.”

“Got it,” she says. “I’ll text you with an update.”

Then she’s zipping out of the box.

“I have a knot in my stomach,” Chrissy whispers. “Like something bad is happening.”

Damn.

“Me too,” I whisper back, gently hugging her. “But promise me you you’ll be smart, use your eyes and phone, and keep that baby safe.”

Her exhale is short, sharp, and she steps back, nodding deliberately. “Where are you going so I can tell Pascal?”

“Down to the ground floor to see if she cut across on her way here.”

Another nod. “I’ll let him know then check the other direction on the concourse,” she says. “Meet up with Rory and if we don’t find her, we’ll start checking bathrooms.”

My smart girl.

I cup her cheek. “Thanks, sweetheart.”

“Go,” she whispers.

I don’t delay any longer.

I nod, spin on my heel, and move quickly to the elevators.

Then I jab at the button and descend into the bowels of the arena.

Forty-Five

Tiff

In all my life,with all that’s happened, I’ve never had a gun pointed at me.

I’ve been poked and prodded with needles.

Sequestered in scary machines.

Had ports put in my chest and slept in hospital beds that were so uncomfortable every single bone in my body ached.

Death had hovered close foryears.

But never so near as the black barrel pointed at my face tonight.

And I can’t even ask what they want or beg for mercy or do my best to talk my way out of this.

Because my mouth is taped shut and my wrists are tied to a chair.

So, I’m doing my best to absorb every detail, to scour the room for any opportunity to escape.

Only…I’m coming up short.

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