Page 58 of His Dark Cravings

I swing my legs over the side of the bed and stand, my knees wobbling for a second before I steady myself. The room spins just a little, but it doesn’t last. I take a deep breath and move toward the door.

The hallway is empty, the house eerily quiet. I make my way downstairs, the soft creak of the stairs under my feet the only sound. When I reach the bottom, I pause, glancing around. The living room is spotless, empty.

I head toward the kitchen, assuming he might be there, but as I pass by the lounge, I hear voices.

My heart skips a beat. Something in their tone stops me cold. It’s Winter and Xavier, their voices low but tight, the tension palpable even through the closed door.

“—can’t just sit here and do nothing,” Winter says, her voice sharp, unlike anything I’ve heard from her before.

“She’s gone, Winter. If we go after her, we risk everything.” Xavier’s voice is calm but laced with something I can’t quite place.

“Risk everything? Are you kidding me? Sable is one of us. She doesn’t deserve to be left behind.”

The words make my blood run cold. Sable? What about Sable?

"She's the one who got herself into this mess," Xavier barks. "Fucking around behind our backs, running drugs. What did she think would happen—"

I push the door open before I can think better of it, my heart pounding. Winter and Xavier turn to face me, their expressions so different from what I’ve seen before.

Winter’s face is twisted with worry, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. Xavier’s expression makes my stomach twist into knots.

“What’s wrong?” I ask, my voice trembling.

Winter opens her mouth, then closes it, her eyes darting to Xavier. He nods once, a curt gesture, and she takes a deep breath before speaking.

“It’s Sable,” she says, her voice rough. “She was taken during a deal last night. A drug lord. He’s... he’s not the kind of man who plays nice.”

The room tilts, and I grab the doorframe to keep myself upright. Sable? Taken? The refusal rises up in my throat. This can’t be happening. Not Sable.

Winter takes a step toward me, but Xavier intercepts her, placing a hand on her arm.

“We’re working on it,” he says. “But we need to be smart about this.”

I look at him, my vision blurry. “You’re going to get her back, right? You have to get her back.”

Xavier’s jaw tightens. Then, he nods. “We’ll do everything we can.”

Winter mutters something under her breath, turning away sharply.

I sag against the doorframe. Sable. Taken. What does that mean? What if... what if something happens to her? What if they can’t find her?

Before I can ask any of those questions, Xavier steps toward me, his hand reaching out as if to steady me. But I don't want comfort.

Before Xavier can touch me, I lurch forward, grabbing his arm with a desperation I can’t hide.

“You have to save her,” I plead, my voice shaking. “Please, Xavier, you have to do something. Whatever it is, whatever she’s done, I’ll take her punishment. Me, not her. Just please!”

Xavier’s expression softens, just a little, but I can see the tension in his jaw. He’s holding back, weighing his options. I tighten my grip on his arm, my nails digging into his skin.

“I mean it,” I say, my voice breaking. “I’ll do anything. I’ll take whatever she was supposed to. Just bring her back. You can’t leave her with a drug lord!”

Winter steps forward, her eyes narrowing as she watches the exchange. “Everly—” she starts, but Xavier raises a hand, silencing her.

“Everly,” he starts cautiously. “This isn’t a game. Sable’s in deep with some very dangerous people. If I go in, it’s not going to be clean. It’s going to cost me, and it’s going to cost you.”

“I don’t care about the cost,” I snap, my heart racing. “I just care about bringing her home. Please,” I whisper. “Please help her.”

Xavier sighs, heavy and reluctant, and nods once. “Fine. I’ll make some calls. I’ll do what I can.”

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