Page 155 of Brutal Knight

For the first time, I felt an unconditional love, like a family should be, and I couldn't turn away from that.

And so, I'd kept them tucked away in safety, enough that it wasn't a problem.

Until now.

I swallowed down the lump in my throat. If something happened to her because of me...

After throwing on my sandals, I forced myself still enough to take control of my emotions.

It wouldn't help anyone if I was panicked.

I took in two deep breaths, then jumped back into action, throwing a t-shirt on over my head. We needed to go. "Tati!"

Where was she?

There was no smell lingering in the air--coffee or breakfast. No sounds coming from the bathroom or downstairs.

I stilled, suddenly realizing that the house wastooquiet.

I couldn't hear her, at all.

Chest heaving with the panic beginning to rise, I scoured the wooden dresser next to my bed.

Her phone was gone, along with her keys.

No!Fuck no!

She couldn't have.

My eyes landed on my phone. There was no blinking light indicating a new message.

Did she fucking leave?!

It lit up again, and I grabbed it before it could ring twice. This time it was Bourbon. "I'm on my way," I said.

"Bring Romeo and the guys with you."

"Why?"

"Something doesn't feel right. I want extra security, just in case."

"You got it."

He hung up before I could say anything else.

I texted Joey and Liam, giving them instructions and telling him to bring more men, my mind racing the whole time.Where the fuck was Tatiana?I headed towards the door, texting the nurses, Nicky and Dallas, next. Just as I paused to turn off the light, something caught my eye, and the flash of red made me freeze in place.

A red ribbon.On my dresser.

I'd been too panicked by the call to notice it before, but now I grabbed it, wrapping it tight around my fingers.

It was velvet, soft and thick, exactly like the one I'd used the night I'd sworn my allegiance to Bourbon. The one I'd wrapped around Tatiana’s and my wrists, binding us together.

"Fuck!"

My heart raced as I hurriedly made my way through the top floor, then down the stairs, calling Tatiana's name. I searched every room. There was a missing water bottle from the fridge. The living and dining rooms were empty. I kicked the sofa as I passed, my frustration boiling over.

Toe throbbing, I grabbed my keys and yanked the front door open, making Romeo jump.

---