Page 46 of Coty

Good point. But that’s not helping right now. For four days, I went insane, not knowing where she was. No, I didn’t listen when she told me not to stalk her. I camped out in her driveway. Even rode by her parents’ house. Ran into her brother in town. David swore he didn’t know where she was.

Nick called in an anonymous tip to the Knoxville police department after Kayla called Lily. Naturally, she and Nick told Jack, and they notified Mack right away. We held an emergency Church meeting with the members who were at the clubhouse tonight. There were enough of us here to handle this without calling everyone in this late.

“Kayla needs you.” Jack’s words hit me hard. I stop fighting. “Let’s go back inside and find out what happened and who did it. We need to get Kayla and her friend settled and ensure they’re protected for the night. They’ve been through enough tonight. We’ll figure out what to do once they’re taken care of.”

“You’re not stopping me?”

“No. We just need to handle it smart.” Jack’s the last person who would stop me. We all helped him when he went after the men responsible for hurting Lily.

“If there’s more than one, he’s still out there.” Hendrix looks toward the road. No cars pass.

That’s a creepy thought. Did someone follow them from Knoxville? All we know is the police found one man in Kira’s apartment unconscious on the living room floor with a broken lamp next to him. It was easy to piece most of that scene together.

“Okay. You’re both right. We need to know exactly what happened.” I nod to Jack. He releases me, but stays behind me until we’re back inside. Hey. I wouldn’t trust me either.

Jack lightly taps on his father’s office door. Jay lets us in. Mack’s at his desk. Worley stands slightly behind him on his right. Nanny’s on his left with her arm casually around his shoulders. Kayla and her friend sit in the two leather chairs in front of the desk. Lily stands behind Kayla’s chair. Kayla briefly glances over her shoulder. She looks relieved to see us.

“Miss Mitchell, we’re sorry for what you and Kayla went through,” Nanny says.

I mentally kick myself. We missed hearing their story. We’ll have to get it from Lily later. I highly doubt Kayla will talk to me.

“Miss Mitchell, I have to ask, do you want our help?” Mack leans forward with his elbows on the desk.

“What does that look like?” Kira asks.

“We help you get away from your abuser and help you start over,” Nanny replies.

“But you have to follow the plan. There’s no detouring from it,” Mack adds.

Kira drops her head and lowers her voice. “Did I kill him?”

“You did not. Cory Coleman is under guard at a hospital in Knoxville. He has eight stitches in the back of his head and a concussion, but he will recover.” Nick’s in a chair behind Worley near the window. I didn’t even see him at first.

“Miss Mitchell, was Cory alone?” Mack asks.

“Um.” Kira looks at Kayla and then at Mack. “He was the only one in the apartment.”

Kayla drops her head back and groans. What’s that about? What are they hiding?

“It’s important for us to know if someone else was involved.” Worley senses she’s holding back.

“I didn’t see anyone else,” Kayla says.

“But someone else was there?” Mack pushes for the truth. He already knows. We all do.

“I don’t know where Cory’s friend was tonight. They always come from North Carolina together on the weekends. He was going to be Cory’s Best Man in the wedding.” Kira sniffles and swipes at her cheek.

“What’s this friend’s name? I’ll see if I can locate him.” Nick’s fingers hover over the keyboard.

“Trent Colby.” Kayla shakes her head and glares at Kira from the corner of her eye. She knows this man. Something tells me he’s more than just Cory’s friend.

“It’s been a long night. Miss Mitchell, do you want our help?” Mack asks again.

“What happens if I don’t take your help?” Kira drops her eyes to the floor again.

Kayla reaches over and takes her hand. Nanny shakes her head at Kayla. She can’t influence her friend’s decision. This is something Kira must decide for herself.

“Then you’re free to go,” Mack replies. Kira’s head snaps up. “Just never mention this conversation. Too many lives are at risk.”

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