Page 56 of Brutal Knight

"Fuuuck," I breathed out.This was some shit.

"They're putting our stamp on it; they want us to take the blame,” Coulter said. “We need to handle this.”

I tapped my foot, and Bourbon growled out, “What the fuck is wrong with you, Knight?"

"Tatiana. I think something’s wrong. She didn't show up for work today.”

He raised an eyebrow, his only response.

"She never not shows up. She's not answering her phone."

"And your friend?" he asked, referring to Rook.

"He told me to fuck off." I spit out. “And he's not my friend.”

"If Rook told you to fuck off, she's probably fine," Coulter said.

I shook my head. "He's out of the country right now." I sat on the edge of my seat, feeling the need to stand and pace like I was motherfucking Coulter or some shit. "I don't know, man. Something feels off."

"All right, then," Bourbon jerked his head at me, "Go find her. We'll take care of this."

"Thank you, sir," I said, out the door faster than I could hear him respond, and was down the hallway before my phone rang.

Unknown number."What?"

"They cut my legs off." Tatiana's sultry voice came through the phone.

My heart stopped. "Who?"

"They said it washim. Not them."

"They cut your legs off?” I was already racing out the door and towards my car.

"Yeah," she sniffled. "My arms, they're dragging on the ground. Otherwise I wouldn't care, you know? I don't need my legs, but I don't want my arms to drag." She started to cry, and my heart shredded. "Knight," her voice lowered to a whisper. "What if my knuckles get calluses on them? I usually wrap them with tape when I spar.”

What the fuck was wrong with her?

"Where are you?" I started my car, the engine roaring as I shot out of my parking space.

"I'm in the stars, Knight!" She was yelling now. "In. The. Stars!"

"Tati. Baby. I need you to focus. Are you in the city?" I idled at the entrance to the parking lot, needing some kind of idea which direction to turn.

"I told you, Knight," she sounded annoyed. "I'm in the stars."

A horn blared behind me, bright lights flickering in my rearview mirror. I rolled down my window, shooting them the bird.

"Oh. God." Tatiana's voice wobbled. "I don't feel so good." There was a pause, then I heard retching, heavy breathing, then she threw up.

Squeals sounded in the background. "Ewe, gross!"

So she was in a place with people around her.

The car behind me revved its engine, then pulled up next to me. Instead of passing me, they paused, revving their engine over and over, rolling down their passenger window.

"Hey, asshole!" Some guy with spiked, dyed blond hair yelled at me. "You don't own the road."

Sighing in annoyance, I rolled down my window, sparing him a glance. "Just move on."

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