Page 97 of The Claiming

I stare at his unfamiliar face and can’t place him, and the guard shrugs. “You will have to ask your uncle. He’ll survive. This time, anyway. He may not be so lucky with your uncle.”

He peers at Cassie with concern.

“Do you want a hand?”

My arms tighten around her and I snap, “No. I’ve got this.”

With a concerned glance at Cassie, the guard follows the others back to the boathouse exit and I tighten my arms around Cassie, who stirs against me.

“My arm hurts.”

The fact she’s speaking at all drags a huge smile onto my face and I whisper, “I’ve got you, baby girl. You’re safe now.”

“Am I?” Her eyes open and a soft smile lights her face. “I doubt I am.”

“No. You’re right. You’re not.”

She coughs as she attempts to laugh and I register a flicker of pain corrupt her beautiful smile.

“You need medical attention.”

I note the gash on her arm and she groans.

“I don’t know how Siri swam with the same injury. She is a superhero.”

“You’re not swimming anywhere, little one. I’ll carry you home in my arms and get the best doctor money can buy to patch you up.”

I lift her carefully into my arms and she whispers, “I think I can walk. It’s okay.”

“No.” I heave a deep breath. “I’ve got you Cassandra King and I always will.”

“Cassie!”

Jack’s voice tears through the tunnel as he charges toward us, concern flaring in his eyes when he sees her in my arms.

“What the fuck happened to her?”

His anger is palpable and I growl, “She tore her arm in the same spot as Siri and then she fell into the trap and was drugged.”

“I pulled my arm away, only a little.” Cassie’s speech is slurred and Jack touches her arm in concern.

“Fuck, Cassie, anything could have happened.”

“It didn’t.” I remind him, noting her pale face.

“Help me get her back to the house.” I order him because he appears to be in shock or shit like that, because he can’t tear his panicked eyes away from her.

I lower her to the ground and we take an arm each and help her through the passageway, my phone lighting the way and Jack whispers angrily, “What happened to the guy?”

I choose my words carefully. “I startled him and he got away. He won’t get far because he ran straight into the security guys who will deal with him as per instructions.”

“Which are?”

I say nothing and he sighs with frustration. “I don’t want to know, but I do want assurances that he’s dealt with and won’t come back.”

“You have my word on that.” I reassure him because if I know my uncle Malik, whoever this guy is, he’s going to wish he was anyone else when my uncle interrogates him personally.

FIFTY

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