Page 21 of King

Because the second she disappeared, his mind snapped back to where itwantedto be.

Ella.

He wanted to be near her. To feel her sweetness surrounding him. Because she was real, and she was who he wanted. More than he’d realized.

He turned on his heel, striding inside, already moving toward her office.

But when he got there, it was empty.

King sat on the bench outside the firehouse, elbows resting on his knees, phone in hand. The screen glowed in the darkness, the last message he’d sent still sitting there.

Delivered.

But not read.

It had been hours.

His thumb hovered over the screen before he tapped out another.

King: Hey, you okay?

He waited.

Nothing.

Frowning, he leaned against the cool brick wall behind him, staring at the night sky. It had been hours since he last saw Ella, hours since she had disappeared from the firehouse without a word.

And now she wasn’t answering him.

His chest tightened.

He tried again.

King: Ella?

A minute passed. Two. Three.

Still nothing.

He growled a curse under his breath, rubbing a hand over his jaw. He may not have known her for that long, but he knew Ella wasn’t the type to ignore people, not unless something was wrong.

And he had a damn good guess as to what thatsomethingwas.

Janelle.

She must have seen her. Seen the way she was all over him.

Even though he had shut that shit down fast. What if Ella thought there was more to it? What if she thought hewantedJanelle?

His stomach clenched.

No. That was thelastthinghe wanted.

Ella had to know that.

Didn’t she?

He thought he’d made it pretty fucking clear. But maybe not clear enough.

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